Bruno Fernandes breaks Europa League record after Manchester United hat-trick vs Real Sociedad

Bruno Fernandes has broken a Europa League record as he netted Manchester United’s opening goal against Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.

Manchester United stormed into the Europa League quarter-finals with a commanding 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, led by a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick and a late goal from Diogo Dalot.

With the tie level at 1-1 from the first leg, Sociedad struck first at Old Trafford as Mikel Oyarzabal converted an early penalty. But United hit back quickly, with Fernandes levelling from the spot after Rasmus Højlund was fouled.

Fernandes netted his second penalty early in the second half after Patrick Dorgu was brought down, and Sociedad’s night worsened when Jon Aramburu saw red for a foul on Dorgu.

United pressed relentlessly, and Fernandes completed his hat-trick before Dalot wrapped up the victory in stoppage time. Rúben Amorim’s side now face Olympique Lyonnais in the quarter-finals.

Fernandes breaks Europa League record

Fernandes has been a leader both on and off the pitch for United during a turbulent time since Amorim joined the club and has been involved in six goals across United’s last eight fixtures.

He was once again on target for the club as he converted the first penalty, which took him to 13 goals for the campaign, with his first coming at the beginning of November.

However, his penalty conversion has also broken a Europa League record – his nine in total in the competition is now more than any other player in the competition’s history.

Then, not long later, he was able to add this tenth penalty of the competition, further cementing his place at the top of the penalty table, before his late third strike secured his hat-trick, taking him to 15 for the season.

Fernandes has become a menace from the penalty spot, scoring 14 during his time at Old Trafford so far and missing just six of his 63 efforts from the spot, scoring 57 across his career.

Amorim has a deep appreciation for Fernandes

The finish against Sociedad comes immediately after the Portuguses interntaional scored into the same net four days ago, launching a fantastic free-kick past David Raya during a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

“We need more Brunos, that is clear,” Amorim said after the Premier League fixture.

Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Real Sociedad (Europa League)

“It’s not just the quality and the character. He makes some mistakes but he is so decisive with and without the ball.

“He steps up all the time. He can show some frustration in some moments that can hurt him more than everyone. I understand that. He wants to win.

“But he is always available, can play in different positions and when we need a goal and an assist he is always there.”

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