Ruben Amorim praised “perfect captain” Bruno Fernandes after his hat-trick inspired Manchester United to a much-needed Europa League victory against Real Sociedad.
This season’s domestic struggles have made Thursdays vital for the Red Devils, who kept their only hopes of silverware and, realistically, European qualification alive by securing a 5-2 aggregate triumph thanks to a 4-1 second-leg win at Old Trafford.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the spot for La Real, but Fernandes kept his cool to score a pair of penalties before netting a third goal after substitute Jon Aramburu was sent off for the visitors.
Diogo Dalot completed a win that provides a welcome boost and set up a quarter-final clash against Lyon, with Fernandes dreaming of lifting another trophy.
“When we need it, he’s always there,” Amorim said of the Portugal playmaker.
“In the set-pieces, he can change position, he can bring the ball forward, he can score goals, he can make transitions, like he showed today in the last 10 minutes of the game.
“He can defend so it’s a perfect captain for our team, and we need to help him to win titles, because he deserves a lot.”
Absentee-hit United’s impressive win puts a pep in their step ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to embattled Leicester and lifted the mood around Old Trafford.
“You can feel the fans, the noise… it’s hard to explain,” Amorim said.
“You feel confidence from the supporters. It was a really good night and we have this competition and it gives us a lot of energy and confidence to go to our games in the Premier League.
“We feel you can go to the next stage and we believe that we can go to another stage.
“This week was a different week.. We dealt with a lot of problems of the present, we show the future.
“It’s not finished because we have a game on Sunday, but this game today was really good for everybody in the club – the staff, the players, and especially the fans.”
United will again be without a swathe of injured players at Leicester, where Patrick Dorgu completes a three-match domestic ban.
Against Sociedad, the winter acquisition earned a penalty, drew a red card and sportingly told the referee that Hamari Traore’s late challenge on him was not a spot-kick as the decision was overturned.
Asked if he liked Dorgu’s sportsmanship, Amorim said with a laugh: “It depends. It’s the right thing to do, so I’m quite proud of him… but it depends.
“I cannot say if it’s 0-0 or we’re losing I have the same response, so he did well, he did a great performance. He was improving during the game.
“He’s learning a lot in that position. He has the physicality, he’s clearly able to play in our league, so it was a good game, and a good action from Dorgu.”
As United progress, La Real head coach Imanol Alguacil returns to Spain raging with referee Benoit Bastien.
“We didn’t deserve a refereeing performance like that,” he said. “But neither did this tie, neither did this stadium.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Every season Arsenal must sign at least one Chelsea player Arsenal Striker now Raya.... Latin/South American Teams are UNBEATEN After the First Round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup! Lamine Yamal is spending his S̶c̶h̶o̶o̶l̶ Holidays with 30-year-old Spanish influencer Fati Vazquez… Relegation Zone Club – Manchester United will face THREE o...
Marcus Rashford wants to miss Manchester United's summer tour of America in favour of finding himself a new club.Ruben Amorim's squad are due to travel America next month to ramp up their pre-season preparations. But Rashford is desperate to avoid going if he has not secured an exit from Old Trafford, and will tell club bosses he wants to remain in England to resolve his future.It's understood Amo...
Liverpool are reportedly set to table a 'significant' offer for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. The defender has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park and is therefore expected to be on the move this summer.Guehi has been heavily linked with a move away from the Eagles over the past few seasons, with Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham all showing an interest in acquiring the services o...
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min could soon be exiting the north London club.Once part of a formidable partnership with Harry Kane, there is no question the South Korea international's powers appeared to have waned last season.Thankfully, after an almost 10-year association with Tottenham, Son finally marked his time at the club with a trophy last season, lifting the Europa League under dep...
Maresca reveals if Chelsea will sign a replacement for MudrykChelsea boss Enzo Maresca has revealed whether the Blues will sign a replacement for Mykhailo Mudryk after the winger's doping charges."We had already one entire season almost without Misha last season. We tried to find different solutions with some of the academy players like Tyrique [George]."But we're going to decide to go for a winge...
Liverpool join race to sign Crystal Palace star Marc GuehiLiverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as they seek to bolster their back line this summer.The 24-year-old is widely expected to leave the FA Cup holders this summer with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are now looking to sign a new cent...
Arsenal to pay ABOVE Martin Zubimendi release clauseArsenal will have to pay above the €60m release clause in Martin Zubimendi's Real Sociedad contract to get the deal done this summer.The 26-year-old has been in talks with Arsenal over a move from Spain to North London for the past six months and it’s now reaching Its climax.Personal terms were agreed some time ago but the clubs have ...
Lionel Messi celebrates his free kickLionel Messi’s 50th Inter Miami goal in only his 61st appearance for the club sealed a 2-1 comeback win over FC Porto in their FIFA Club World Cup Group A clash, securing a first-ever victory in the competition.Both sides contested goalless draws in their respective opening matches, but the deadlock was broken after only eight minutes in Atlanta through a...
Man City handed Premier League fine ahead of 115 charges verdictMan City have been slapped with a 3800k fine by the Premier League for repeated late kick-offs as they await the verdict for their alleged 115 charges.Pep Guardiola’s side have been fined approximately 3800,000 after admitting to nine breaches of Premier League Rule L.33, which governs punctuality for kick-offs and second-half r...
Man United set to miss out on goalkeeper target after Napoli talksMan United look set to miss out on one of their reported goalkeeping targets with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in talks with Serie A champions Napoli.United had been heavily linked with the 28-year-old with current number one Andre Onana failing to convince since his move back in 2023.According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Milinkovic...
- 1 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 2 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 3 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 4 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 7 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 10 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body