Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 to move to the Europa League quarterfinals, and Tottenham Hotspur defeated AZ Alkmaar 3-1 on Thursday.
The second-tier tournament gives both Premier League clubs a chance to win a trophy and qualify for the Champions League next season after disappointing domestic campaigns.
United will play Olympique Lyonnais in the last eight after the French team beat Steaua Bucharest 4-0, and Rangers beat Fenerbahce 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Athletic Bilbao advanced with a 3-1 second-leg win over 10-man AS Roma on Thursday, while Lazio advanced with a 1-1 home draw with Viktoria Plzen. Nico Williams scored twice.
Lazio will play Bodo/Glimt in the final eight after the Norwegian club extended their excellent European run despite losing 2-1 at Olympiakos, and Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Ajax Amsterdam 4-1.
Chelsea defeated Copenhagen 1-0 at home to advance to the Europa Conference League last eight.
Fernandes’ late arrowed finish and two spot-kicks pushed United into the quarterfinals 5-2 over 10-man Sociedad.
“We need to help him win titles, because he deserves it,” United boss Ruben Amorim told TNT Sports of his captain. The performance was good. The physicality existed… Even without the sending-off, you thought the squad would win.”
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes scores a penalty in the round-of-16 second leg against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford. —AFP
United, who drew 1-1 at Sociedad in the first leg, fell down after 10 minutes when Matthijs de Ligt fouled Mikel Oyarzabal and Oyarzabal scored from the spot. Fernandes equalized six minutes later when Igor Zubeldia fouled Rasmus Hojlund.
An Aritz Elustondo foul on Patrick Dorgu led to another Fernandes penalty five minutes after halftime, giving United the lead again.
After Jon Aramburu fouled Joshua Zirkzee, Sociedad were reduced to 10 men, and Fernandes scored a third three minutes from time before Diogo Dalot scored United’s fourth in stoppage time.
“This club is all about winning,” Fernandes told TNT Sports. In football, and especially at this club, confidence is crucial because you know you’re watched, so you must play well.
Lyon advanced to the quarterfinals 7-1 on aggregate after Ernest Nuamah and Georges Mikautdze scored twice.
