Fernandes hat-trick puts Man Utd into last eight

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes celebrates with fellow Portuguese Diogo Dalot at Old Trafford

Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick to lead his side to victory against 10-man Real Sociedad at Old Trafford and book a Europa League quarter-final encounter with French club Lyon.

Needing a victory to keep alive their hopes of marking Ruben Amorim's first year in charge with silverware and knowing the tournament is their only realistic chance of securing European football next season, United got off to the worst possible start as Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the spot after being brought down by Matthijs de Ligt.

Thankfully for the hosts, the were level within six minutes as Fernandes kept his cool after Igor Zubeldia had taken Rasmus Hojlund down as the Dane was bearing down on the Sociedad goal.

Remarkably, it took a third penalty of the night to get United's noses in front.

Aritz Elustondo complained long after it was ruled he had fouled Patrick Dorgu. It made no difference, and for the third time, the goalkeeper went the wrong way as Fernandes found the net for from the spot for his 14th goal of the season.

The Spanish visitors' last chance seemed to disappear midway through the second half when Jon Aramburu was sent off for hauling down Dorgu, who would have been through.

But just for good measure, United struck twice more before the end.

Fernandes completed his second hat-trick for the club with a low finish across goal and into the far corner before fellow Portugal international Diogo Dalot drilled home a fourth in stoppage time.

Fernandes steps up after turbulent week

This was a positive insertion into a turbulent week at Manchester United.

It began with widespread protests against the Glazer family, Manchester United's majority owners before Sunday's draw with Arsenal.

Fears about summer spending were raised on Monday by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's claim the club was in danger of going bust by the end of the year without his wide-spread cost cutting. Those concerns were played down by chief executive Omar Berrada in an interview with broadcaster TNT before Thursday's game.

However, Ratcliffe also condemned some of Amorim's players as "overpaid" and "not good enough" in a devastating critique during an interview with BBC Sport.

The grand £2bn stadium plans unveiled on Tuesday merely added to a sense of uncertainty, particularly as United's current debt, including outstanding transfer payments, is hovering around the £1bn mark.

Into this maelstrom stepped Fernandes.

Former United skipper Roy Keane may harbour serious questions about the 30-year-old's application, leadership skills and team ethic.

But, in a crisis, the former Sporting midfielder is the player most likely to step up.

He knew the consequences of failure when he went to take his first penalty and did look slightly nervous as he waited for the referee's whistle to signal it was time to step up. But Fernandes kept his cool, just as he did at the start of the second half.

His final finish merely confirmed his man-of-the-match status. Keane may rail against it, but without Fernandes United would be in a far greater mess than they already are in.

Zirkzee answers his critics

No matter what the remainder of this tortuous season has in store for Amorim and his players, Joshua Zirkzee deserves an immense amount of credit.

There is no point sugar coating the fact the striker's initial weeks following his £36.5m summer move from Bologna were poor. The consensus among those who watch United regularly was that the Dutchman did not look to have what it takes to be a United player.

Nevertheless, when Zirkzee suffered the embarrassment of being jeered off as he was substituted after half an hour of what turned out to be a home defeat by Newcastle on 30 December, he had been put in a terrible position.

United were getting outplayed. No matter who Amorim took off that night, they would have been pilloried by the home support. For some, the reaction might have been even worse.

Nevertheless, at that point, it would have been no surprise if Zirkzee had called time on the Premier League and moved on during the January transfer window.

Clearly, the 23-year-old has impressive mental strength. He refused to let his head drop, has scored a couple of important goals and is now growing into his role.

Zirkzee was a vocal presence on the pitch as United rallied from going behind and he almost created a second for the hosts with a brilliant piece of close control that took him to the byline where he pulled the ball back for Hojlund.

The Dane, who has not scored since 12 December, yelled at the skies in frustration as his flicked finish rolled wide of the far post.

Zirkzee was frustrated himself as he came close with a couple of opportunities. It didn't detract from his overall performance though. Maybe he can make it at United after all.