Manchester United Claim Comfortable Victory Over Real Sociedad To Reach UEL Quarterfinal

 

Manchester United have progressed to the Europa League quarterfinal after outclassing 10-man Real Sociedad in both ties of the round of 16. United defeated the Spaniards by 4-1 in the second leg to advance to the next round on aggregate of 5-2. 

United came from behind after Sociedad took the lead from a penalty and went on to win with Bruno Fernandez scoring a hat-trick. It was the Portuguese first hat-trick for the Red Devils this season. 

After Mike Oyarzabal scored from a penalty to put Sociedad in the lead, Rasmus Holjund was dropped in the box reacting to Casemiro's ball, and Fernadez scored the spot-kick to level for United. The Red Devils took the lead after halftime from another penalty drawn from Jon Aramburu's tackle and Fernandez scored the spot-kick for United. 

United went clear with the third goal when Garnacho played in Fernandez on a fastbreak. The Portuguese midfielder latched on and struck the ball from inside the box down the bottom right of the net. Diogo Dalot completed the comeback with the fourth goal, steering into the net Holjund's cut-back from the left flank.

Since playing in the Europa League has become a frequent appearance for United, they have maintained an unbeaten run at Old Trafford through 16 knockout games. They have been successful in the competition they lifted the trophy in 2016/17 under former manager Erik ten Hag. 

Overview 

Initially, United found the game tedious but as frustration began to build up amongst the Spaniards, giving away avoidable penalties followed. Jon Aramburu could have avoided the second yellow card likewise the penalty. He was physical enough to get red-carded within a space of time. 

United maintained composure and the midfield did a great job pressing Sociedad long enough to find those moments that handed down the goals with Fernandez contributing two to the tally.