Manchester United secured their advancement to the next stage of the Europa League with a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford last night.
Bruno Fernandes netted a hat-trick, complemented by a late goal from Diogo Dalot, resulting in a 5-2 aggregate triumph for Ruben Amorim’s team, bringing them closer to his inaugural trophy as manager of the Red Devils.
This victory sets the stage for a quarter-final encounter against Ligue 1 side Lyon, where they will need to replicate this performance to progress to the semi-finals and conclude a challenging season on a positive note.
Amorim will undoubtedly be pleased with the team’s performance, as they scored four goals for the second time during his leadership, with each player contributing significantly to the convincing win.
One player, in particular, shone throughout the match, taking on the responsibility for the club’s success—an achievement he has consistently demonstrated during the 2024/25 season.
Bruno Fernandes’ magical display against Real Sociedad
Midfielder Fernandes increased his goal tally to 13 for the season with a remarkable three-goal performance last night, which proved crucial for securing qualification rather than facing an early elimination.
The 30-year-old played the full match, recording 87 touches and creating four scoring opportunities, the highest of any player on the field.
Additionally, he successfully completed two tackles and triumphed in six out of eight duels, highlighting his skills on both offense and defense, and underscoring his significance to Amorim’s team.
With these goals, he has reached a total of 24 goals and 17 assists in his Europa League career, making him the all-time leading scorer in the competition, surpassing former Arsenal player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Nonetheless, another player also stood out during the victory, arguably matching the Portuguese international’s importance within United’s current first-team lineup.
The Man United player who is as important as Bruno
Throughout the years, the Red Devils have frequently faced challenges in meeting the expectations of their supporters, particularly following the remarkable successes of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Amorim has been appointed as the manager responsible for reviving the club’s former prestige, and he requires time to revamp the squad in order to achieve the desired impact during his tenure.
He has already initiated part of this rebuilding process by transferring several players in January and making a significant acquisition with the £30 million signing of Patrick Dorgu.
The Danish player has taken some time to acclimate to life at Old Trafford, but his performance last night was arguably one of his finest, demonstrating attributes that could enable him to address the long-standing issues at left-back.
Dorgu played the entire match, recording 66 touches and winning six fouls—the highest of any player in the game—underscoring his effectiveness in possession.
He also achieved a perfect success rate in his dribbles, taking five shots on goal and making a notable contribution in the attacking third, despite primarily playing a defensive role.
| Dorgu’s stats for United against Real Sociedad | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | Tally |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Touches | 66 |
| Duels won | 11 |
| Dribbles completed | 1/1 (100%) |
| Shots taken | 5 |
| Recoveries made | 4 |
| Tackles won | 2 |
| Stats via FotMob | |
The 20-year-old also demonstrated strong defensive skills, achieving four recoveries and winning two tackles, which contributed to the team’s progression to the next round.
Following his performance, the full-back received a match rating of 7/10 from Express journalist Charlie Gordon, underscoring his impressive display during the match.
At such a young age, the 20-year-old has a promising future with the club, with the potential to secure a position in the starting lineup for many years, thereby addressing a significant concern.
He was the first major signing made by Amorim since his appointment, and the fanbase has reason to feel optimistic if future signings prove to be as successful as Dorgu.
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