Man United v Ipswich
Play By Play
Though the result looked in jeopardy after a half-hour played at Old Trafford, Manchester United came roaring back for an eventually comfortable 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town - courtesy of a 28-minute hat-trick from Fernandes. An evenly contested opening quarter-hour in which the hosts looked the slightly better of the two sides gave way to a 10-minute spell in which O’Neil’s side took the lead through Davis, and could have scored twice more. Their missed opportunities would come back to bite them though, as Fernandes restored parity ahead of the interval, before adding two more midway through the second period - with his first after the restart coming from the penalty spot. A rather unfortunate Greaves own goal and a deft Mbeumo finish would add finishing touches to an impressive turnaround, before a late bit of poor play from Martinez allowed Enciso and Akpom to combine for an Ipswich second. Both sides scores accurately reflect their xG totals (4.55 to 2.01), but the win leaves Manchester United level with their opponents today ahead of a match with Everton on September 6, while Ipswich Town’s task doesn’t get any easier after their loss, as they meet Liverpool next - on Friday. That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Ipswich Town - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 5-2 IPSWICH TOWN
Dorgu gets the ball out of his feet quickly to test Scherpen with a powerful shot at his near post, but the goalkeeper - who has certainly been busy today - stands in front of another effort to make his seventh save.
Often more present popping up at the end of crosses, Sesko takes on Greaves near the byline before feathering a cross into the six-yard box to keep the ball in play, but the substitute striker places his delivery right into the hands of Scherpen; one of few players taller than the Slovenia international.
Mbeumo raises his arm during an attempt to prevent Enciso from dribbling past him, catching his opponent in the chin. Certainly not intentional, the contact does draw the attention of Craig Pawson, who shows the Manchester United player a yellow card.
Enciso’s second assist of the season comes late in the game, eight days after his pass presented Emersonn the opportunity to open the scoring against Sunderland.
A GOAL OUT OF NOWHERE MAKES IT 5-2! Martinez overplays slightly near his own corner-flag, inviting Enciso to press him before losing possession to the Paraguay international. With Manchester United defenders out of position, the number 10 unselfishly slides a pass across the face of goal for Akpom, who casually and unceremoniously knocks it in with the side of his foot!
The fourth official indicates eight minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
Including today, Fernandes has scored two Premier League hat-tricks - both of which have come in Manchester United’s first home game of the domestic campaign (2021-22 against Leeds United and 2026-27 against Ipswich Town).
Dorgu does really well to leap high over the back of O’Shea and redirect Mbeumo’s curled cross from the right towards goal, but Scherpen manages to push the ball away from his target despite failing to get clean contact, before Greaves beats Yoro to the rebound.
McAteer gets the opportunity to try and help his side close the margin, as Fatawu is recalled to the bench 56 minutes after his assist put Davis in position to open the scoring.
Fernandes adds to an already impressive outing; registering an assist for Mbeumo’s deft finish after picking up a hat-trick, to drag Manchester United back from a one-goal deficit.
THIS TIME, THE BALL OFF THE CROSSBAR GOES IN! 5-1 MANCHESTER UNITED! After interchanging with Tielemans just inside his own half, Santos plays a ball square towards the byline for Fernandes, who turns on it to hit a lovely pass high above the Ipswich Town defence for Mbeumo. The last man capable of stopping the attack, Scherpen comes racing off his line, prompting the Cameroon international to lift the bouncing ball over the head of the tall goalkeeper, sending his effort off the underside of the bar before dribbling in thanks to a rather fortunate bounce back off the turf!
Rashford isn’t able to mark his first Premier League start in 21 months with a goal, as he comes off for Dorgu in the final stages.
The physically imposing Sesko is sent on to deal with set-pieces at both ends of the pitch, which brings an end to Cunha’s match.
Santos comes on to pair Tielemans in midfield with 10 minutes to go, as Mainoo makes his way off the pitch to a round of applause.
Fernandes and Cunha both drive powerful shots towards goal after Rashford has the ball poked away from his toes at the last possible second, but O’Shea bravely blocks the Manchester United captain, while the Brazil international’s hopes of a first goal of the season are denied by the legs of Scherpen.
Ipswich Town look to have moved to a back five following the substitutions, with O’Shea stepping inside to the middle of defence with Greaves and Diop. Davis and Furlong will operate as wing-backs either side of Palacios and Ouattara in midfield, while Enciso and Fatawu play in support of Akpom.
Dalot is also allowed to put his feet up early, as Yoro is sent into the fray to protect the three-goal advantage.
Mazraoui slots into the Manchester United defence with the result seemingly beyond doubt, giving Shaw an early rest.
Furlong is the latest entrant for Ipswich Town - ending Maeda’s contest at the 73rd minute.
A change with just over a quarter-hour to play sees the booked Lukic come off for Ouattara.
Lammens fights through the crowd to get his fist to Lukic’s inswinging corner-kick, punching the ball away confidently to clear his lines despite Akpom lurking in the area to collect the scraps.
AUDACIOUS ATTEMPT AT A FOURTH GOAL! Enciso looks to dribble the ball past two converging Manchester United players inside the centre-circle immediately following kick-off, which quickly leads to Tieleman poking the ball away. Fernandes is there to pick it up and he turns, spots the goalkeeper off his line and launches an effort from half the pitch away that forces Scherpen to charge back into his own goal, landing awkwardly in the netting, while the ball sails narrowly over the crossbar!
A HAT-TRICK FOR THE CAPTAIN! 4-1 MANCHESTER UNITED! Fernandes is able to profit off a bit of confusion inside Ipswich Town’s penalty area and makes the defence pay with clinical precision! First Mainoo’s effort from just outside the 18-yard box is blocked by Greaves, before Mbeumo is also denied by a covering defender - this time Davis - but the ricochet falls perfectly into the path of Fernandes, who settles it with a cushioned touch before dragging a finish into the opposite corner!
