Bruno Fernandes is the “perfect captain” for Manchester United, says manager Ruben Amorim after the midfielder hit a hat-trick in a much-needed Europa League victory against Real Sociedad.
Fernandes kept his cool to score a pair of penalties after Real Sociedad had opened the scoring, before netting a third goal after substitute Jon Aramburu was sent off for the visitors.
Diogo Dalot completed a win that provides a welcome boost and set up a quarter-final clash against Lyon.
“When we need it, he’s always there,” Amorim said.
Bruno Fernandes now has the most goal involvements in Europa League HISTORY, with 41 (24 goals, 17 assists) 👏
(Via: @OptaJoe) pic.twitter.com/Li3SnTt60V
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
“In the set-pieces, he can change position, he can bring the ball forward, he can score goals, he can make transitions, like he showed today in the last 10 minutes of the game.
“He can defend so it’s a perfect captain for our team, and we need to help him to win titles, because he deserves a lot.”
Wing-back Patrick Dorgu was praised after sportingly telling the referee that Hamari Traore’s late challenge on him was not a spot-kick as the decision was overturned.
Asked if he liked Dorgu’s sportsmanship, Amorim said with a laugh: “It depends. It’s the right thing to do, so I’m quite proud of him… but it depends.
“I cannot say if it’s 0-0 or we’re losing I have the same response, so he did well, he did a great performance. He was improving during the game.
“He’s learning a lot in that position. He has the physicality, he’s clearly able to play in our league, so it was a good game, and a good action from Dorgu.”
As United progress, La Real head coach Imanol Alguacil returns to Spain raging with referee Benoit Bastien.
“We didn’t deserve a refereeing performance like that,” he said. “But neither did this tie, neither did this stadium.”
