Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw in Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge despite Marcus Rashford’s opener inside two minutes.
United’s new era came with a new formation as Amorim switched to a back three and started Rashford up front from where he tapped in after just 81 seconds – but Ipswich deservedly took a point through Omari Hutchinson’s deflected equaliser.
Amorim’s side were second best in the first half although dominated possession in the second, yet still needed a brilliant save from Andre Onana to prevent Ipswich their first home victory in the Premier League.
You have to give the man a chance,” said Sky Sports‘ Roy Keane. “But the threat going forward, it’s a huge problem for Man Utd. It’s not good enough.”
Amad Diallo, operating at right wing-back, gave Amorim a dream start by surging down the right, burning past Leif Davis and Jens Cajust, before seeing his low cross into the middle tapped in by Rashford.
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Manchester United take an early lead at Ipswich thanks to a close-range finish from Marcus Rashford, the first goal of the Ruben Amorim era
But United didn’t build on their early opener and, instead, Ipswich had the better of the first half during which the VAR was temporarily inactive due to a fire alarm at Stockley Park.
Sammie Szmodics forced Onana to parry and then the Man Utd goalkeeper spread himself to superbly deny Liam Delap with his right arm from close range.
Amorim became more twitchy in the dugout although barely reacted when Hutchinson’s curling effort found the top left corner after taking a deflection off Noussair Mazraoui’s head shortly before the break.
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Omari Hutchinson stunner levels for Ipswich against Manchester United
Garnacho forced a save from Arijanet Muric inside the opening 60 seconds of the first half but Onana stole the show at the other end, brilliantly keeping out Delap’s close-range flick with his right foot.
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Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana denies Ipswich’s Liam Delap with a superb save
United had 70 per cent of possession in the second half and yet couldn’t unlock Ipswich as Amorim introduced both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee with 20 minutes to play in search of a winner. It was Ipswich substitute Conor Chaplin, though, that nearly snatched it with his late effort from inside the box caught by Onana.
Keane: Same problems for United
Sky Sports’ Roy Keane:
“He’s got big problems. The lack of threat in the second half and Ipswich looked like they’d go on and win. They’ve not won at home all season. Same problems for Man Utd but he’s only had a week with them.
“You have to give the man a chance but the threat going forward, it’s a huge problem for Man Utd. It’s not good enough.
“We saw the shape of the team but it is the same players and the same problems. We talk about leopards and spots. Lack of goals and lack of quality in the second half. Ipswich looked the better team.
“It’s his first game. A lot to take in and it has been a mental week for him [Amorim] but ultimately he will be disappointed.”
Redknapp: Amorim needs time and patience
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:
“It was exactly what I expected. The manager hasn’t got a magic wand, he’s hardly had any time to work with these players. He’s trying to create and system and a way of playing, but he’s going to need time.
“The players that have let you down over the past year or so haven’t suddenly become great players because Amorim has walked into the club. It doesn’t work like that. So patience, time, and he’s going to learn a lot about who is going to be a part of his plan and who isn’t.”
