Head coach of Manchester United described Bruno Fernandes as the “perfect” captain after his hat trick helped them in a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League round of 16 second stage on Thursday.
The victory meant that United qualified for the quarterfinals of the competition after 1-1 pulling in Spain, although they initially lagged behind an early Mikel Oyarzabal penalty at Old Trafford.
Diogo Dalot got the ultimate goal of the night in a stop time to make it more comfortable for United, which is confronted with Lyon in the last eight.
“If we need it [Fernandes] Is there always, “Amorim said.” He can bring the ball forward. He can score goals. He is a perfect leader for our team and we have to help him win titles. “
“We know that he is sometimes frustrated. We know that he wants to win so badly and when things are not going well, he changes position and he goes after the ball. Sometimes he has to trust his teammates.”
The victory ended a considerable week for United, who went home 1-1 to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, after taking the lead.
1 – Tonight's match against Real Sociedad saw Manchester United Register 25 shots, 10 shots on goal and an XG of 4.02, all their best totals in a match under Ruben Amorim so far. To attack. pic.twitter.com/ytkgxbga
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) March 13, 2025
Amorim was clearly impressed by how his players dealt with the physical challenges that he and those who were served by playing in different tournaments.
“It was a complete week. We showed a bit of the future. Today we had a good performance from our team, the physicality was there,” he said TNT Sports after the game.
“In this competition it is completely different – we can be the dominant side in physicality. It was a tough week, but a good week.
“I also learn how to use players such as Casemiro. Without many options we try to put our players in the best positions. You can feel that they have more freedom because of one game in Spain [first leg against Real Sociedad] We have tried to use the pace of Garnacho on the right.
“He showed me so many things on the right, perhaps better than the left.”
A negative of the night, however, was the failure of Rasmus Hojlund to find the back of the net, which means that it is now 21 games in all competitions since his last goal for United.
“We play with two 10s. We need one player to push the team and make the runs. He helps a lot. Today he made three or four connections with which we can change the game,” Amorim said. “He just has to score a goal, he is so anxious.”
Manchester United travels to Leicester City in the Premier League in the Premier League on Sunday.
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