Bruno Fernandes sends heartfelt Man United message, Marcus Rashford reacts
Man United secured their place into the quarter-finals of the Europa League following Bruno Fernandes’ stunning performance.
After a frustrating first-leg draw with Real Sociedad, Man United responded in emphatic fashion, thrashing the Spanish side 4-1 in the second leg to book their spot in the final eight.
Fernandes delivered a sensational hat-trick, as he became the most prolific player in Europa League history, with a combined total of 24 goals and 17 assists.
The Red Devils were awarded two penalties on the night, both confidently converted by their captain. However, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Patrick Dorgu went down too easily to win the second spot-kick, sparking controversy.
While club legend Rio Ferdinand had his say on Fernandes‘ outstanding performance, the Portuguese star had his own message for the fans.
Alejandro Garnacho and Rashford praise Bruno Fernandes after Europa League heroics
The United captain shared several photos from the match on Instagram, captioning the post: “And we’re into the next round!! Thank you for the amazing support yesterday, accompanied by three football emojis, a nod to his hat-trick.
Alejandro Garnacho dedicated a message to Fernandes in his own post after the victory but also showed further appreciation by commenting on the captain’s upload whilst other players such Harry Maguire and Amad also joined in.
Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa, appeared to enjoy the performance as well, showing his approval by liking the post.
The Portugal international though, has been in exceptional form this season, making 43 appearances, scoring 15 goals, and providing 13 assists across 3,718 minutes.
| Man United’s last three fixtures | Win/Loss/Draw |
| Man United 4-1 Real Sociedad | Win |
| Man United 1-1 Arsenal | Draw |
| Real Sociedad 1-1 Man United | Draw |
Marcus Rashford thriving at Aston Villa amid Man United’s attacking struggles
Rashford has rediscovered his form under Unai Emery, registering four assists in just nine appearances since making the switch to Villa Park.
Aston Villa fans are now calling for the club to sign Rashford on a permanent deal, believing he has already proven his worth in a short space of time.
Meanwhile, Man United’s attacking woes continue. Garnacho is now enduring a 24-game goal drought, while Rasmus Hojlund has not found the net since December.
Fernandes remains United’s most reliable attacking threat, but with Rashford thriving elsewhere, there could be a big decision to make regarding his future this summer.