Man Utd star writes cheeky message to Bruno Fernandes on hat-trick ball

A Manchester United star left a cheeky message on Bruno Fernandes’ match ball after he scored a Europa League hat-trick on Thursday night.

Fernandes dragged United to victory against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, scoring two penalties on his way to a match-winning trio of goals.

The Red Devils trailed early on after Mikel Oyarzabal netted from the spot but Fernandes levelled in similar fashion soon after. He scored again from 12 yards early in the second half to put United ahead on the night and on aggregate.

Fernandes scored his third from open play in the 87th minute before Rasmus Hojlund teed up Diogo Dalot to put the final nail in the coffin.

As Fernandes posed with the match ball signed by the United squad at full-time, eagle-eyed fans spotted the message "How much did you pay the ref?" The jab comes as United were awarded three controversial penalties on the night.

The first came as Hojlund was tackled after getting his shot away, leading some fans to argue that the foul was irrelevant. Referee Benoit Bastien initially pointed to the spot for a third time after Patrick Dorgu was felled but changed his mind after the Sociedad protests.

The second was more an accidental coming together than a foul, as Dorgu clattered into a stationary Aritz Elustondo. It is not known which United player wrote the message on the ball.

Fans were also quick to criticise the referee for his trigger-happy card policy, dishing out nine yellow cards and sending off Sociedad substitute Jon Aramburu just seven minutes after he was introduced.

Fernandes’ brace of penalties were the 58th and 59th of his career. He has missed just six, making his career conversion rate a healthy 91 per cent.

They take his penalty tally for the season to five, also scoring from the spot in a loss to Brighton, win at rivals Manchester City and draw to Chelsea.

United’s captain has gone from strength to strength since signing in 2020, scoring 94 goals in 276 appearances. The Red Devils will now face Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals after the French side eased past FCSB in the round of 16.