Manchester United advanced to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday night.
UEFA Champions League
Result: Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad (5-2 on aggregate)
Date: 13 March 2025
Venue: Old Trafford
Red Devils coach Ruben Amorim handed starts to Ayden Heaven, Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu after the draw with Arsenal.Sociedad were given the chance to silence the home fans after VAR awarded a penalty for Matthijs de Ligt's foul on Mikel Oyarzabal, who stepped up and calmly sent Andre Onana the wrong way.
The lead only lasted five minutes when United won a penalty of their own when Zubeldia fouled Hojlund in the box, which allowed Bruno Fernandes to step up and slot home to restore parity.
The Red Devils almost took the lead after 30 minutes when Joshua Zirkzee did well to carve out space in the box before picking out Hojlund, whose first-time strike sailed inches wide of the upright.
Amorim's men carried that momentum into second half and were awarded their second penalty of the game after Dorgu was brought down in the box, before Fernandes converted once again by sending the Sociedad goalkeeper the wrong way.
Sociedad's task was made even tough in the 62nd minute substitute Jon Aramburu was shown a straight red card for bringing down Dorgu, who was about to race clear on goal from Zirkzee's through-ball.
United made the game safe with four minutes left on the clock as Fernandes completed his hat-trick by getting on the end of Garnacho's pass before firing into the far corner to seal their spot in the quarter-finals.
There was enough time for a fourth goal on the 90th minute as Hojlund turned provider to pick out Diogo Dalot, who powered home a strike into the roof of the net to round off the scoring.
