Our season is still alive 🙌. Above all else, that was the most important. Getting through by hook or by crook, it didn't really matter as long as we were in that quarter final where we will now play Lyon.

And also, us fans deserved that. We've been through so much shit this season and we know those players are very untrustworthy so to get a game that was entertaining, the ref (seemingly) on our side and a few goals whilst having a complete performance was thoroughly deserved for us.

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But what a game. What a weird game.

I don't know why we do this but United always start games off slowly even ones where our season is depending on it.

We stepped onto that pitch almost as if we were still on the bus it was that flat. Sociedad took full advantage of this as they were on the front foot with them looking threatening in the final third while United couldn't keep hold of the ball.

United's poor start and the Spaniards looking good ended up in another dodgy penalty for them. That was the third spot kick they've had against us in three of the last four, all of them dodgy.

Cry baby Oyazarbal converted and it made things very nervy.

There can be complaints about the penalty awarding but with the way we started, we sort of asked for it. Luckily for United though, this goal came in the 10th meaning there was a lot of time left to sort things out.

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That sorting out didn't take too long as just 6 minutes later, we get a soft penalty of our own as Hojlund was brought down in the box. Captain magnifico scores and we feel that justice was done.

1-1 on the night, 2-2 on aggregate and we're back to square one.

United then began to dominate the game as we started to play a little more freely and create some chances. The problem was that while we manufactured some good situations, poor decision-making and/or finishing cuased those moves to come to nothing.

Heading into the break, it was annoying at how much we allowed Sociedad to play and be in the game but at least we got back to level terms.

I do have a feeling that Amorim let them have it during the break because of the poor start and not making the most of good situations as in the second period, we were a different side.

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The Reds continued to get in those promising positions but this time, the decision-making was on point and we were all the better for it.

5 minutes into the half, a third and second penalty was awarded to United after Dorgu was fouled in the 18-yard area. More crying from Oyazarbal was a waste of time as the foul stood (although it too looked a little soft but we're not the one making the calls).

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Bruno converts this one as well to put us in the lead on the night and tie. This is exactly what the manager would've wanted: an early goal in the second half which also means that Sociedad will have to open up giving us chances to pick them off.

This is precisely what happened as midway through the second 45, Aramburu - who just came on - was shown a straight red for bringing down Dorgu whilst United were on the break. The referee felt the Sociedad man was the last player resulting in this sending off. That too was a disputable call because Dorgu had quite a way to go to get to the goal.

We ain't complaining though 🤷‍♂️. And isn't it nice to for once to be having these dodgy decisions go in our favor? Don't see much of that nowadays.

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At this point, I think we all knew that the game was up and it was about when United were going to finish them off.

There was a third (yes third!) penalty awarded to United as once again, Dorgu, who was having a brilliant half, was thought to have been taken down but upon VAR review, the on-field ref's decision was rightfully overturned. Dorgu even sportingly said that 'it's not a penalty' to the referee. Class from the defender 👏.

However, it ended up taking until the 87th minute before we did kill them off but kill them off we did as that man again, the Portuguese magnifico hits one in the bottom corner with a beautiful finish after another counter. This rounded off his hat-trick and a good days work for the skipper. This was his second hat-trick for the club after scoring one in the 21/22 season against Leeds.

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There was still time for a 4th with many probably wanting it to come from Hojlund who needs the goals especially after missing another good chance tonight.

Unfortunately, he didn't score but he did have a hand in that 4th as his wonderful play resulted in him assisting Dalot to round off the scoring. The defender with his second strike in this competition.

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Ruben Amorim would've been mightily pleased (and relieved) that his side managed to get through and get through quite well. That start wouldn't have filled him with confidence but other than that, I don't think he can't have too many complaints as the overall performance from the team as well as individuals was one of the best this season.

The displays of Heaven and Dorgu down the left - which was a risk to have two new and young players down that flank - would've put a smile on his face; the defense was solid (Onana had nothing to do); Bruno was superb, Casemiro was great; and the front three were truly on it.

Zirkzee in particular was a standout despite Bruno scoring a hat-trick. He was so good, that I would give the Dutchman my man of the match award. That was maybe an 'up you' to Ronald Koeman.

With that victory, United also remained the only unbeaten side in all of Europe which is nice as well. Would be cool if we maintained until the end of the tournament 😏.

The season is also still alive as it gives Amorim a chance to lift silverware in his first campaign at the helm. This was up there with the Liverpool performance as one of the best we've played under him.

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Ratings

Onana - 6

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Mazraoui - 6.5

De Ligt - 6.5

Heaven - 7

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Dalot - 6

Casemiro - 6.5

Bruno - 8

Dorgu - 7

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Garnacho - 6

Zirkzee - 8 MOTM

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Hojlund - 7

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Eriksen - 6

Collyer - 6

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Ruben Amorim - 7

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Final Thoughts

I would've been happy if we were outplayed but scored a dodgy late winner. As long as we won, it wouldn't have mattered.

However, to be one of our best performances made this victory even better.

It's nice to have a somewhat drama-free match, although it did have it's moments or rather, that the drama was in our favor rather than the other way round.

Really happy with the overall performance and I hate to say this again, but surely this time, it is a performance that we can build on and can truly boost our confidence moving forward. We still have something to play for and this game can be one that we look back on for some insipiration.

We go again on Sunday 👊.

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Background Image: Bruno Fernandes with a hat-trick against Real Sociedad | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)