Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes
Ryan Smart
Eagle-eyed fans have spotted a brutal message on Bruno Fernandes' hat-trick ball after Manchester United beat Real Sociedad 4-1 in the Europa League.
The United captain scored a hat-trick either side of half-time to ensure his side's progression to the Europa League quarter-finals via a 5-2 aggregate scoreline.
The game was tied at 1-1 each heading into the second leg, and Ruben Amorim's side went behind early in the first half through Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal on nine minutes.
But Fernandes made it 1-1 from the penalty spot and added another spot kick to his tally after half-time.
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He then made it 3-1 with a powerful right-footed finish into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area.
Diogo Dalot then added a fourth goal for United after good work from Rasmus Hojlund on the left to beat two defenders.
At full-time, Fernandes was able to take home the match ball, having scored his second hat-trick in all competitions for United.
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But fans spotted a brutal message towards the Portuguese midfielder in a close-up shot of the ball.
The message simply read: "How much did you pay the ref?"
Another, meanwhile, wrote: "You were still s**t in the first half of the season."
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The first message was clearly aimed at the two penalties United were awarded on the night, although referee Benoit Bastien initially gave the hosts a third penalty for a perceived foul on Patrick Dorgu by Sociedad right-back Hamari Traore.
But the decision was quickly reversed by the French official - perhaps partially due to Dorgu's surprise protestations that a spot kick should not be awarded.
Speaking about Dorgu's show of sportsmanship after the match, United boss Amorim told reporters: "It is the right thing to do. So I am quite proud of him.
"But it depends - I cannot say if it is 0-0, or we are losing, if I would have the same response!
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"He did well. He did a great performance and he was improving during the game - he is learning a lot in that position. So it was a good game and it was a good action from Dorgu."