Manchester United beat 10-man Real Sociedad at Old Trafford by a hat-trick from captain Bruno Fernandes to secure a quarterfinal clash with French club Lyon in the Europa League.

United were off to the worst possible start when Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after being brought down by Matthijs de Ligt. United needed to win to stay in with a chance of winning trophies in Ruben Amorim’s first season as manager and with the understanding that the competition is their only real hope of securing European football next season.

Igor Zubeldia had taken down Rasmus Hojlund as the Dane was cruising down the Sociedad goal, but Fernandes remained calm, and to the fortune of the home team, they were level within six minutes.

Unaccountably, United only surpassed the others during the third penalty of the evening.

A considerable amount of time after it was established that Patrick Dorgu had been fouled by Aritz Elustondo, he just kept complaining. Not that it was significant, since Fernandes kicked in his 14th of the season from the penalty kick after the third gaffe of the goalie.

Halfway through the second period, Jon Aramburu was sent off for restraining Dorgu, who would have fallen, and shattering the last Spanish visitors’ hope.

Before teammate Portugal international Diogo Dalot’s fourth goal in stoppage time, Fernandes finished low across goal and into the far corner for his second hat-trick for the team.