Captain fantastic as reds claim win
Manchester United came from behind to overwhelm Ipswich at a rain-soaked Old Trafford today. A hat-trick from Bruno Fernandes set us on our way to go along an own goal and one from Bryan Mbeumo. It showed the attacking talents and defensive frailties to boot.
It was a sobering experience for the promoted visitors though. They looked enterprising going forward and caused plenty of concern in the first half. They fell apart once going behind though.
Michael Carrick made a number of changes from their opening day loss to Hull. In came Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez at the back, Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, and Marcus Rashford out wide. Joshua Zirkzee was on the bench despite rumoured interest from Italy. Carlos Baleba was not ready to start yet.
Gary O’ Neill kept with the same starting lineup that defeated Sunderland last weekend. Exequiel Palacios was on the bench after his recent move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Both sides looked tidy in possession and a willingness to get forward. The first effort took a while in coming though. Ipswich coughed up the ball in their half and it eventually came to Diogo Dalot. His effort was tipped over by Kjell Sherpen.
The game was opening up and either side could have gone in front in the space of a minute. Julio Enciso was released through the middle by a clearance and bore down on goal. He won a foot race against Luke Shaw and Bryan Mbeumo before shooting. It was straight at Senne Lammens though. At the other end, Bruno Fernandes shot just wide.
The reds were living dangerously and it was no surprise when they went in front. Daizen Maeda had forced Lammens into another save before they did go in front. Shaw was caught wanting as Abdul Fatawu breezed past him with ease. He passed it inside to Leif Davies who crashed his shot in off the crossbar.
United were rocked by the goal, but found a leveller five minutes before the break. Ipswich had a throw-in and looked to hold onto the ball. It came to Marcelino Nunez who slipped in midfield to give up possession. Matheus Cunha seized upon it and strode forward. He spread it out wide to Fernandes who hammered it into Sherpen’s near post.
The away side were forced into a change at half-time due to a knock for Emersonn. They should have been behind a few minutes into the half. Good work from Marcus Rashford out on the left before he crossed inside for Mbeumo. He hit the bar from about a yard out.
They did go in front on 56 minutes under strange circumstances. Harry Maguire remained up from a set-piece and the ball rebounded out to him. In contesting an ariel challenge, he handled the ball. It came down and he fired goal-wards. It took a big deflection off Jacob Greaves and into the net. The goal was given because of that OG.
It got worse for Greaves five minutes later. A precise ball through the middle by Kobbie Mainoo set Cunha away. He was dragged back by the Ipswich defender who conceded the penalty. He was perhaps lucky not to be red carded. Fernandes stepped up to slam home his second.
Fernandes landed his hat-trick on 68 minutes. The visitors were under constant pressure and they were unable to get it away. Mainoo had a shot that rebounded out to Mbeumo who had a swipe himself. It took a delection to land at the feet of Fernandes. He side footed home from a few yards.
Bruno also notched his first assist on 82 minutes. Ipswich were out on their feet and he swept the ball around the corner to Mbeumo. He spotted Sherpen charging off his line and chipped the effort over the keeper. It had just enough power to cross the line via the crossbar.
The rain was lashing down as the game reached its climax. Both Rashford and Cunha had efforts saved by Sherpen as Utd kept up the pressure. Ipswich did manage to have the final say however. Enciso robbed Lisandro Martinez before passing inside to Chuba Akpom. He landed his first ever Premier League goal to give the travelling fans a consolation.
A much happier set of players at the final whistle. Five goals and the first three points. It will be interesting to see if any more business will be done before Tuesday. We must build on this win when facing Everton next Sunday. Ipswich have another big game when Liverpool come visiting on Friday.
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot (Leny Yoro 73), Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (Noussair Mazraoui 73), Kobbie Mainoo (Andrey Santos 80), Youri Tielemans, Matheus Cunha (Benjamin Sesko 80), Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford (Patrick Dorgu 80), Bryan Mbeumo.
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Joshua Zirkzee, Ayden Heaven, Shea Lacey.
Booked: Bryan Mbeumo (90+3)
Sent Off: None
Ipswich Town: Kjell Sherpen, Dara O’ Shea, Issa Diop, Jacob Greaves, Lief Davis, Marcelino Nunez (Exequiel Palacios 62), Sasa Lukic (Abdoul Ouattara 73), Abdul Fatawu (Kasey McAteer 83), Julio Enciso, Daizen Maeda (Darnell Furlong 73), Emersonn (Chuba Akpom 46)
Subs not used: Christian Walton, Cedric Kipre, Sindre Egeli, Jack Clarke
Booked: Sasa Lukic (33), Abdul Fatawu (37), Jacob Greaves (59)
Sent Off: None
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 74,148
Simply Red Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
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