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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has set a new Europa League record, following his hat-trick in the 4-1 demolition of Real Sociedad on Friday night.
Mikel Oyarzabal gave Sociedad the lead just 10 minutes in from the penalty spot after VAR penalised Matthijs de Ligt for a foul. However, their advantage didn’t last too long as Fernandes restored parity, also through a penalty kick.
Led by their relentless skipper, United were intense and created several chances before eventually getting their big break moments after half time.
Patrick Dorgu was brought down inside the Sociedad box and Fernandes stepped up with confidence yet again, to send Alex Remiro the wrong way.
Fernandes completed his hat-trick late in the game with an excellent finish after some good play from Alejandro Garnacho.
Diogo Dalot put the icing on the cake, netting United’s fourth goal to wrap up a dominant performance.
Fernandes’ treble against Sociedad took him to 41 combined goals and assists in the Europa League – no player in the competition’s history, since it was rebranded in 2009, has managed more goal contributions.
41 – Bruno Fernandes has the most goals and assists combined (24 goals, 17 assists) of any player in UEFA Europa League history. Superstar. pic.twitter.com/iYeJ00QZVR
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 13, 2025
The United playmaker has made 53 appearances in the Europa League – 19 for former club Sporting CP and 34 for the Red Devils.
His 24 goals and 17 assists means he has now gone ahead of ex-Arsenal man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in terms of goal involvements.
Aubameyang remains the Europa League’s highest goalscorer with 34 goals. Fernandes is 10 strikes away from catching up to the Gabon international.
Two ex-United players that Fernandes could also surpass in the goalscoring chart are Radamel Falcao (30) and Romelu Lukaku (27).
Only Napoli legend Dries Mertens tops Fernandes when it comes to assists.
United are back in action on Sunday when they go away to the King Power Stadium to face Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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