There are nights at Old Trafford that feel like old times. Thursday 13 March 2025 was one of them – a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad that sent Manchester United into the Europa League quarterfinals behind a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick. This article breaks down the confirmed starting lineups, key moments, and what the result means for the rest of the competition.

4 related posts

Final Score: Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad ·
Hat-trick Hero: Bruno Fernandes ·
Match Date: 13 March 2025 ·
Competition: UEFA Europa League Round of 16

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 10′ – Mikel Oyarzabal penalty (Real Sociedad) (ESPN)
  • 16′ – Bruno Fernandes penalty (Man Utd) (Sky Sports)
  • 50′ – Bruno Fernandes penalty (Man Utd) (Sky Sports)
  • 63′ – Jon Aramburu sent off (Real Sociedad) (The Soccer Blog)
  • 87′ – Bruno Fernandes goal (Man Utd) (Sky Sports)
  • 91′ – Diogo Dalot goal (Man Utd) (Sky Sports)
4What’s next
  • Manchester United advance to UEFA Europa League quarterfinals (ESPN)
  • Quarterfinal draw scheduled to determine opponent (ESPN)

Five key facts capture the story of the night, one pattern: Manchester United turned an early deficit into a commanding win through set‑piece precision and a relentless second‑half press.

Here is the match data at a glance.

Label Value
Competition UEFA Europa League Round of 16
Match Date 13 March 2025
Venue Old Trafford, Manchester
Final Score Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad
Aggregate Score Manchester United 5-2 Real Sociedad
Man of the Match Bruno Fernandes
Attendance 73,189
Red Card Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad) – 63rd minute
The upshot

Bruno Fernandes’ three‑goal performance turned a 1‑0 deficit into a match‑winning advantage. For a team that has struggled to convert chances this season, the reliance on penalties (two of his three goals) raises a question about open‑play creativity – but the result itself is beyond debate.

Who scored for Man Utd vs Real Sociedad?

Bruno Fernandes delivered a hat‑trick, converting two penalties in the 16th and 50th minutes and adding a close‑range finish in the 87th minute (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)). Diogo Dalot sealed the 4‑1 victory with a stoppage‑time strike in the 91st minute (Sky Sports).

Bruno Fernandes hat‑trick

  • First goal: 16th minute (penalty) – sent Remiro the wrong way (ESPN (global sports network))
  • Second goal: 50th minute (penalty) – low and hard to the left (ESPN)
  • Third goal: 87th minute – tapped in from a Garnacho cross (Sky Sports)

For Real Sociedad, Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 10th minute after a handball decision (ESPN).

The implication: Fernandes’ hat‑trick – his second of the season – underscores his value as the team’s primary set‑piece taker and attacking midfield outlet. Without his two penalties, the match might have followed a different script.

Bruno Fernandes delivered a match-winning hat-trick and Diogo Dalot added a stoppage-time strike, turning a 1-0 deficit into a commanding 4-1 victory.

Who is the 11 player for Manchester United right now?

Manager Ruben Amorim fielded a 3‑4‑2‑1 formation for the second leg. The confirmed starting XI, as reported by major sports outlets, gives a clear picture of the current first‑choice lineup.

Confirmed starting XI vs Real Sociedad

  • Goalkeeper: André Onana
  • Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Heaven
  • Wing‑backs: Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu
  • Midfielders: Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes (c)
  • Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Højlund

Source: Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)

Real Sociedad’s lineup in a 4‑3‑3 shape: Remiro (GK); Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Aihen Muñoz; Brais Méndez, Zubimendi, Pablo Marín; Kubo, Oyarzabal (c), Becker (as reported by The Soccer Blog (independent football blog)).

What this means: Amorim stuck with a back‑three system that has become his default, using wing‑backs Dalot and Dorgu to provide width. The inclusion of Heaven at centre‑back – a younger option – suggests rotation ahead of a busy domestic schedule.

How to watch Manchester United v Real Sociedad in UEFA Europa League

The match was broadcast live across multiple platforms, giving fans worldwide several ways to follow the action.

TV and streaming options

  • Official UEFA platform: UEFA.tv streamed the match in selected markets (ESPN (global sports network))
  • UK broadcast: TNT Sports held exclusive live rights; highlights available on BBC Sport
  • US broadcast: Paramount+ and TUDN carried the match live
  • European broadcasters: DAZN (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Movistar+ (Spain), and others

The catch: Because Europa League rights vary by territory, fans should check local listings for future rounds. UEFA.tv provides free highlights shortly after full‑time.

What to watch

For the quarterfinals, Manchester United’s opponents are yet to be drawn. The team’s away‑form fragility – they lost the first leg 1‑0 in San Sebastián – will be a factor if they face a top‑seeded side in the next round.

Match Timeline

Six decisive moments defined the 90 minutes – one red card, three penalties, and two open‑play goals that shifted the momentum.

  • 10′ – Mikel Oyarzabal scores from the penalty spot for Real Sociedad (ESPN)
  • 16′ – Bruno Fernandes equalises with a penalty after a handball by Zubeldia (Sky Sports)
  • 50′ – Fernandes scores his second penalty (Aguerd foul on Garnacho) (Sky Sports)
  • 63′ – Jon Aramburu receives a straight red card for a late challenge on Dalot (as reported by The Soccer Blog (independent football blog))
  • 87′ – Fernandes completes his hat‑trick from a Garnacho cut‑back (Sky Sports)
  • 91′ – Diogo Dalot adds a fourth with a low drive inside the box (Sky Sports)

The pattern: All three of United’s penalty calls stemmed from set‑piece situations or defensive lapses in the box – an area where they have focused training time this season. The red card made the last half‑hour a damage‑limitation exercise for Sociedad.

Confirmed facts

  • Final score: Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad
  • Bruno Fernandes hat‑trick
  • Manchester United advance 5-2 on aggregate
  • Starting XI as published by Sky Sports
  • Oyarzabal penalty for Sociedad
  • Attendance: 73,189

What’s unclear

  • Exact substitution minutes for all players
  • Full list of yellow cards
  • Detailed possession and shot statistics
  • Whether any injury substitutions were tactical

Related reading: Manchester United vs Real Sociedad teams and lineups · Bruno Fernandes hat-trick fires Man Utd to Europa League quarters

Additional sources

youtube.com, skysports.com, besoccer.com, manutd.com, si.com

For a more detailed match report, including full statistics and post-match analysis, see detailed match report.

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Frequently asked questions

What formation did Manchester United use against Real Sociedad?

Manchester United lined up in a 3‑4‑2‑1 formation under Ruben Amorim (Sky Sports).

Who were the substitutes for Manchester United in this match?

Reported substitutes included Toby Collyer (introduced in the 79th minute) and Christian Eriksen (89th minute) (as reported by The Soccer Blog).

What was the final score of the match?

Manchester United 4-1 Real Sociedad (Sky Sports).

How many goals did Bruno Fernandes score?

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat‑trick (three goals) – two penalties and a close‑range finish (ESPN).

Where was the match played?

The match was played at Old Trafford, Manchester, in front of 73,189 spectators (Sky Sports).

When was the Manchester United vs Real Sociedad match?

The match was played on 13 March 2025, the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 (ESPN).

Who scored for Real Sociedad?

Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Real Sociedad from a penalty in the 10th minute (ESPN).

Why was Jon Aramburu sent off?

Jon Aramburu received a straight red card in the 63rd minute for a dangerous tackle on Diogo Dalot (as reported by The Soccer Blog).

The result is a clear statement for Manchester United: a 4‑1 home win, a hat‑trick from their captain, and a place in the quarterfinals. For the club’s supporters, the expectation is now a deep run. For the manager, the challenge is to reproduce this composure away from home. For the rest of the Europa League field, the signal is simple: Old Trafford remains a fortress when the side clicks.

Related reading · Bruno Fernandes hat‑trick fires Man Utd to Europa League quarters (ESPN) · Manchester United vs Real Sociedad teams and lineups (Sky Sports)