MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United's season might be on life support, but with Bruno Fernandes providing resuscitation, Ruben Amorim's team are still alive.
Hopes of salvaging something from this disastrous campaign rest on the UEFA Europa League. Thanks to United's captain, there's a quarterfinal tie against Lyon to look forward to next month.
Fernandes scored a hat trick as Real Sociedad were beaten 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday. It was enough for a 5-2 win on aggregate and a night which looked set to be filled with nerves and anxiety ended in a party atmosphere. There hasn't been much for United fans to cheer, but this was one of their best performances under Amorim.
It was inspired by Fernandes and if he remains fit and in form, he could yet drag this team to a trophy and UEFA Champions League qualification.
"We already spoke about Bruno a lot of times," Amorim said afterwards. "We know that sometimes he is frustrated. We know he wants to win so bad, so when things are not going well, he is changing position and going after the ball. Sometimes, he needs to trust his teammate, but when we need it, he is always there. He can bring the ball forward, he can score goals, he can defend. He is a perfect captain for our team and we need to help him win titles."
Fernandes is relishing his role as savior. With strikers Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to find the net, the Portuguese midfielder has been directly involved in 11 of United's last 13 goals. It includes his stunning free kick against Arsenal on Sunday, and against Sociedad, he followed it up with three.
Two were calmly taken penalties. His third was a clinical finish after a rampaging late run forward as almost every other player on the pitch looked like they were struggling for breath. To finish it off, Diogo Dalot wrapped up the result in stoppage time.
As Fernandes walked over to take a corner, the game safely won, he got a standing ovation and was serenaded with chants for 'Bruno, Bruno.'
Without Fernandes, it might have been a lot different.
United were poor in the first 10 minutes and gave up the opening goal for the 10th time in 12 games at Old Trafford when Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the spot.
Fernandes responded with his first penalty six minutes later and his second just after half-time. United's task was made easier when Jon Aramburu was sent off just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute for a foul on Patrick Dorgu.
Dorgu, signed from Lecce last month, was excellent. He won the crucial second penalty and thought he had earned another before the decision was overturned by VAR. Amorim's 3-4-3 system has looked much more coherent since the introduction of the 20-year-old Denmark international.
Another winter transfer window signing, Ayden Heaven, was just as impressive. The 18-year-old was signed as a first team player, but it's unlikely Amorim envisioned using him so early. Injuries to Lisandro Martínez, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro have handed Heaven an early opportunity -- first against Arsenal and then against Sociedad -- he's taken it with both hands. Handed his first senior start, he was strong and agile on the left of the back three.
He had the composure to nip past Oyarzabal in his own penalty area as United attempted to play out from the back and dealt well with a waist-high pass that was fizzed back at him by Casemiro under pressure. It showed a confidence that's been missing from a lot of United players this season.
"We deal with problems of the present and we show the future," said Amorim. "This game was really good for everybody in the club. We showed that we are ready for this kind of game.
"Our exhibition against Arsenal was not beautiful but it helped us a lot to believe. We suffered a goal but continued to perform. Since the first minute, we continue to believe we can go to the next stage. You can feel the fans, the noise. It is hard to explain. You feel the confidence from the supporters. It was a really good night."
If Heaven and Dorgu have primarily been signed with the future in mind, then the present depends very much on Fernandes. In interviews this week, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe branded some of United's players 'overpaid and not good enough.'
Fernandes was the only one to come out with any credit, described by the British billionaire as 'a fabulous footballer.' Without Fernandes, he said, it would be 'really tough.'
Ratcliffe wants Champions League revenues to kick-start his plan to rebuild United. He needs the money to back Amorim with players and to finance the new stadium unveiled this week. Continuing in the Europa League keeps the possibility intact. He has Fernandes to thank for keeping United alive.
