Rasmus Hojlund flops as Bruno Fernandes wows: Man United ratings v Real Sociedad
Man United secured their place in the Europa League quarter finals with a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday (13 March).
Man United went into the game locked at 1-1 following a tight encounter during the first leg in Spain the previous week.
They quickly found themselves behind though, with a penalty awarded against Matthijs de Ligt for a challenge on Mikel Oyarzabal after a VAR review.
Oyarzabal himself then converted from the spot to put the visitors in front, only for the hosts to level from the spot just moments later.
After Rasmus Hojlund was brought down by Igor Zubeldia as he got a shot away, referee Benoit Bastien pointed to the spot again.
Bruno Fernandes then stepped to fire home and immediately levelled up the tie for Man United inside the opening 16 minutes.
That was enough to keep the tie all square heading into half time, before the hosts took the lead early in the second half.
Patrick Dorgu went down in the box under a challenge from Aritz Elustondo, with Fernandes converting his second spot kick of the night.
Dorgu then drew a red card to further his side’s cause, as Sociedad substitute Jon Aramburu was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity by hauling down the wing-back.
Fernandes then completed his hat-trick late on after being played in by Garnacho to finish clinically, with Hojlund then setting up Dalot to fire home in stoppage time.
That was enough to secure a 4-1 win on the night and 5-2 victory on aggregate for Ruben Amorim’s side, meaning they will now face Lyon in the last eight.
| Man United last five games | Result |
| Ipswich (H) | Won 3-2 |
| Fulham (H) | Drew 1-1 (lost on penalties |
| Real Sociedad (A) | Drew 1-1 |
| Arsenal (H) | Drew 1-1 |
| Real Sociedad (H) | Won 4-1 (won 5-2 on aggregate) |
Here is a look at how Football Insider rated the performance of the Man United squad during that clash with Real Sociedad.
Andre Onana – 6
Made some decent and important saves in the first leg but had a much quieter evening here.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Another fairly steady night for the defender on the right of the back three, where he didn’t seem too troubled while getting forward well on occasion.
Matthijs de Ligt – 5
Will be frustrated to have given away the penalty which saw him booked, and didn’t have a great deal else to do.
Ayden Heaven steps up again
Ayden Heaven – 7
After Heaven impressed from the bench against Arsenal at the weekend, the 18-year-old was handed his first senior start here, and backed that up with another solid performance.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Dalot was slated for failing to tee up Rasmus Hojlund in the first leg, ironically the game was rounded off when the Dane did put one on a plate for Dalot to finish well in stoppage time.
Casemiro – (off for Collyer, ’78) – 7
A good night for the Brazilian, who helped protect the backline while playing some nice passes forward.
Bruno Fernandes – 9 – Player of the Match
After Fernandes conceded a costly penalty for Man United in the first leg, he will have be delighted to score two vital ones at the right end, both of which were excellently converted to top off another really good performance which was capped off with a brilliant finish on the counter for a hat-trick.
Patrick Dorgu – 8
Another bright showing from the 20-year-old, who helped carry his side forward on a number of occasions, and is starting to look like the left wing-back Amorim needed having won the second penalty and drawn the red card.
Joshua Zirkzee – (off for Eriksen, ’88) – 7
A good night for the attacker who made a number of good runs and got in some dangerous areas, though he may wonder how he didn’t score with two chances in a matter of seconds late on.
Rasmus Hojlund’s Man United goal drought goes on
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
You have to feel for him. He tries so hard to get make things happen and get in the right positions but the wait for a goal goes on after a number of good chances he couldn’t take, did at least get an assist for Dalot.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
Did well in putting himself about in attack, and was rewarded with an excellent run and assist to set up Fernandes for the hat-trick.
Substitutes
Toby Collyer (on for Casemiro, ’78) – 6
Another outing for the young midfield prospect late on.
Christian Eriksen (on for Zirkzee, ’88) – 5
On for the final moments just after the tie was secured through Fernandes’ hat-trick goal.