Ruben Amorim lauded Bruno Fernandes' hat-trick performance, which swept Real Sociedad aside and propelled Manchester United into the Europa League quarterfinals, stating his team "needs to win titles" for their captain.
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Ruben Amorim Showers Praise on Bruno Fernandes
After Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring with an early penalty, United dominated, with Fernandes scoring again from the spot on 16 and 50 minutes, followed by a spectacular late strike to complete the hat trick. Diogo Dalot's extra-time fourth goal secured victory.
The victory keeps United's season alive, and if they win the title, Amorim's club will qualify for the Champions League next season.
United may still face Tottenham in the championship final after Ange Postecoglou's team defeated AZ Alkmaar 3-2 on aggregate. Rangers also defeated José Mourinho's Fenerbahce in a penalty shootout.
Fernandes, who now has 15 goals in all competitions this season, received acknowledgement from his manager, Amorim said: “We need to help him win titles because he deserves this. It is hard for a player like him sometimes – he wants to win really bad and sometimes too much. It is not a bad thing but sometimes he doesn’t trust his teammates, but he is always there.
“He can play set pieces, score -penalties, make transitions and help in the last 15 minutes of the game. I am trying to help the team, not thinking about Bruno but the team [and] near the box he is so dangerous.”
United will face Lyon in the quarterfinals, with the first leg in France on 10 April before the return at Old Trafford a week later. Amorim was asked about Patrick Dorgu informing the referee, Benoît Bastien, that a late collision with Hamari Traoré was not a penalty. “It is the right thing to do so I am quite proud of him,” said the manager. “But I cannot say if it is 0-0 or losing, I have the same response. He did well, he had a great performance. He is learning a lot in that position. He has the physicality.”
Amorim Ecstatic Following Convincing Win
Amorim was asked how important the win was for the remainder of the season. He said: “The feeling – and 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. The feeling is completely different, not just the result but the way we play. The good thing and the bad thing is after this game it is over and tomorrow we are going to think about Sunday [at Leicester City].
“It was a complete week [after drawing with Arsenal on Sunday]. We showed a little bit of the future, helped the problems of the present and had a good performance today.”