Manchester United earned a much-needed win to kick start their Premier League campaign as they swept Ipswich aside 5-2 at Old Trafford.
Following their defeat to Hull last weekend, Michael Carrick’s men needed to win but things got off to a poor start at Leif Davis fired Ipswich into the lead. Bruno Fernandes then took a difficult chance to equalise and send the hosts into the break on level terms.
The second half was one of action as United went ahead through a controversial goal after Harry Maguire’s shot was deflected in. Fernandes then converted from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was brought down in the box by Davis.
The United captain was then well positioned to turn home a rebounded effort from Bryan Mbeumo to complete his hat-trick before returning the favour and setting up Mbeumo to net a goal – United’s fifth – for himself. Chuba Akpom scored a consolation in added time but United took the points and got their campaign underway.
Follow the reaction from Man Utd v Ipswich in the Premier League, below:
Carrick most pleased by mentality
Some more from the United manager, this time speaking to Sky: “It was a good win. It was a really good win in the end. We played some really good football. The biggest thing today was the mentality of the boys tp overcomes setbacks. We’re going to have them and it depends on how you deal with them. I was really pleased with that. It’s easy to look at the result but the mentality and the stubbornness really pleased me.
“We controlled the game pretty well for the most part. A lot of our play was looking on the way to how we wanted it to look. The boys took it on really well and we were fabulous.”
Carrick ‘delighted’ by performance
Michael Carrick took plenty of positives from Manchester United’s first win of the season – not least how they dealt with the setback of falling behind.
“Results are nice to win like that,” he told BBC. “I said after the game last week that we were disappointed and it has hurt all week. We managed it well and didn’t make too much of it in the end. We shouldn’t be going down 1-0 at home.
“We’re going to have setbacks along the way, but it’s how you deal with them. The quality comes and we have a good day because we score goals and win well.
“They had a couple of moments and we got back to it and took control. The second half was particularly good. Delighted, a lot of positives.”
Shaw ‘out of words’ to describe Fernandes
Luke Shaw is so used to praising Bruno Fernandes that he is no longer able to fashion fresh replies when asked about the captain’s performances.
But Manchester United’s left back had plenty to say about Kobbie Mainoo, who started in midfield.
“I kind of run out of words to speak about Bruno to be honest, he is such a good player,” Shaw told BBC Radio.
“I would like to speak about Kobbie [Mainoo]. I think today he was world class, so so good, the way he controlled the game and the way he drove us forward, I know Bruno scored the hat-trick but I would put Mainoo down for man of the match. He is so young and it is such a joy to see him growing. For me he was phenomenal today. A real leader in that middle.”
O’Neil takes misfortune for second goal in stride
Gary O’Neil refuses to moan about the second goal, describing it as “unlucky” but not a reason to moan about officiating.
“It’s a complicated rule…it’s tough to ref,” he tells Sky. “If his shot was more accurate would it still have been allowed? Difficult rule to ref but I’m not here to moan about refs.”
Fernandes show gives United lift off
New season but a distinctly familiar script for Manchester United. They could be grateful for that, too. Even after a summer when they have spent £150m on midfielders, their finest remains the same.
It is no secret that Bruno Fernandes is by far and away their outstanding individual in the era since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. In the week he was crowned PFA Player of the Year, Fernandes began his bid to retain the award with a reminder of his extraordinary productivity.
A third United hat-trick was followed by his first assists of the season. What began as proof of his capacity to spring comebacks turned into a masterclass that inspired a rout.
Maguire on his handball goal
Speaking to Sky Sports, the defender said of United’s second goal: “I haven’t seen it back, so I can’t really comment. I know it was tight. It wasn’t handball on purpose. I don’t know if it pushed my fingers. I actually dragged the shot wide and I think that’s why it stood. It was on our side today, we deserved the win and that bit of luck.”
Shots aplenty
Manchester United had 33 shots this afternoon.
According to Opta, the last time they had more in a Premier League match was in Oct 2016 (38 vs Burnley). That was 372 games ago.
Why was United’s second goal allowed?
Harry Maguire played a big part in Manchester United’s second goal against Ipswich Town in the Premier League with controversy surrounding a VAR review.
The United defender handled the ball in the build-up before gathering the ball and striking at goal.
His effort was not going on target and instead deflected off Jacob Graves to hand the hosts the lead at Old Trafford, before Bruno Fernandes struck twice more to send the Red Devils clear at 4-1.
