Player Ratings: Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad (5-2)

Photo: Manchester United

Manchester United eased into the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals after a resounding 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Diogo Dalot also getting on the scoresheet.

United suffered a very early setback after VAR awarded Real Sociedad a penalty just 10 minutes into the game, which Mikel Oyarzabal calmly dispatched.

However, United won a penalty of their own just minutes later, as Rasmus Hojlund was brought down in the box. Bruno Fernandes stepped up, and he sent Alex Remiro the wrong way to equalise.

Both side threatened to go ahead during the first-half, yet at the break, the score was still 1-1.

United were awarded their third penalty of the game just a few minutes into the second-half after Patrick Dorgu was fouled in the penalty area. Fernandes took responsibility with the spot-kick yet again, and once again he dispatched it.

The visitors suffered a huge setback midway through the second-half after Jon Aramburu was sent off after bringing down Dorgu at the halfway line as the Dane was running through on goal, giving United a huge advantage going into the final few minutes.

United pressed on, missing a series of opportunities to seal the win. They had to wait until the 87th minute to get the third goal, as an excellent counter-attack was finished off by Fernandes to get his hat-trick. Dalot added another in stoppage time to make it four.

Here are our player ratings from a great night of European football at Old Trafford:

Andre Onana 6

Had no chance with the Oyarzabal penalty, and practically did not have much else to do during the game apart from some routine saves and him having to pass it out from the back on lots of occasions.

Noussair Mazraoui 7

Slotted into the back three very well, looking largely untroubled and bringing the ball out of defence very well. Probably United's most reliable defender on the ball.

Matthijs de Ligt 6

Had a relatively soft penalty awarded against him very early on, but he recovered well and put on a great shift, winning most of his aerial duels and commanded the backline very well.

Ayden Heaven 8

An excellent performance from the youngster on his full United debut. Looked assured in possession and contained Takefusa Kubo really well. He will have a big role both in the coming weeks and also in future seasons.

Diogo Dalot 7

United made full use of the width provided by Dalot and Dorgu on the day, and the Portuguese wingback was at his attacking best, combining very well with Alejandro Garnacho. Casemiro was furious with him after being robbed off the ball in the box. Got a goal very late on with a tidy finish.

Casemiro 8

Another assured display from the Brazilian, constantly looking to deliver long passes for United's forwards to run on to. A commanding performance, and looked more energetic than usual. He loves a European night.

Bruno Fernandes 9

Scored twice from the penalty spot and controlled the game's tempo. The United players were understandably consistently looking for him, and whenever he got the ball they were making plenty of runs, knowing he has what it takes to find them. Sealed his hat-trick in the closing stages with a great finish.

Patrick Dorgu 8

Constantly involved as United looked to take full advantage of his pace and blistering runs. Struggled with his final ball at times and took plenty of shots, but he won a penalty, and also got Aramburu sent off after making a great run from his own half. He is starting to get into his stride.

Alejandro Garnacho 6

Looked really positive, wanting to drive at the Real Sociedad defence. Surprisingly, he repeatedly crossed for Hojlund and Zirkzee. Got his assist late on for Fernandes's third goal.

Joshua Zirkzee 8

A confident Zirkzee is a dangerous player for opposition defenders. Always looked like he had the beating of defenders whenever he got the ball, sometimes with some brilliant trickery, and on other occasions just due to sheer physicality. Probably should have scored with the amount of opportunities on goal that he had.

Rasmus Hojlund 7

A much-improved performance from the Dane. He outmuscled the Real Sociedad defenders all the time and got the better of them in terms of pace on countless occasions. He could have got himself a goal with some of the chances he had in front of goal, but he put himself about much more than usual. Deservedly got an assist in stoppage time for Dalot's goal.

Substitutions

Toby Collyer 6

Brought on for Casemiro midway through the second-half, and he had an energetic display, winning the ball in midfield while also looking to drive forward.

Christian Eriksen 5

Came on very late on for Joshua Zirkzee.

Manager - Ruben Amorim: 9

Made a brave call to start Heaven and it paid off. The team was playing neat passages of play that are hinting towards progress in terms of Amorim's style of play being implemented. A sign of what United could look like in the future if the players get behind the manager and want to put the work in.

United will now face Lyon in the Quarter-Finals, with the first-leg set to be played away from home on 10th April, while the match at Old Trafford will be on 17th April.