It is almost three months to the day that Ruben Amorim oversaw his first game in charge of Manchester United, with it taking just 81 seconds for Marcus Rashford – remember him? – to open the scoring in that eventual 1-1 draw away to Ipswich Town.
That largely sticky showing at Portman Road set the tone for what has been a turbulent 12 weeks since then for the Portuguese head coach, with Wednesday’s 3-2 win against the Tractor Boys proving a rare triumph in the 40-year-old’s early United tenure.
Like in that meeting with Kieran McKenna’s men back in the Autumn, there was another fast start this time around, albeit with the Suffolk side taking the lead, courtesy of a calamitous mix-up from Patrick Dorgu and the error-stricken Andre Onana.
To their credit, the Red Devils fought back through a Sam Morsy own goal and a Matthijs de Ligt strike to regain control, only for a Dorgu red card – and a second for Jaden Philogene – just before the break marking a dismal end to the opening 45.
The clouds had gathered over Old Trafford, yet after Harry Maguire powered home from Bruno Fernandes‘ corner, the hosts held firm to pick up a vital three points, in turn moving to the heady heights of 14th in the Premier League table.
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Key stats – Man Utd vs Ipswich |
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|---|---|
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Stat |
Player |
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Most touches |
Bruno Fernandes (81) |
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Most key passes |
Bruno Fernandes (4) |
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Most accurate passes |
Dara O’Shea (54) |
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Most successful crosses |
Bruno Fernandes (4) |
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Most duels won |
Harry Maguire (8) |
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Most successful dribbles |
Diogo Dalot (3) |
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Highest xG |
Jaden Philogene (1.04) |
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Dribbled past |
Jaden Philogene (2x) |
Quite what Amorim was able to learn from his chaotic side following that breathless encounter remains to be seen, with it having been a real mixed bag of performances.
Man Utd’s best performers vs Ipswich
Let’s begin with the man who proved the matchwinner, with Maguire – who scored a last-gasp FA Cup winner just a few weeks ago – getting in on the act again after meeting Fernandes’ outswinger to expertly header home.
Fresh off the back of a rough ride at Goodison Park, in which he notably failed to deal with Abdoulaye Doucoure’s header, the 31-year-old was far more dominant up against the lively Liam Delap, having relished the battle up with the reported United target.
Elsewhere, from the man who once wore the armband to its current incumbent, with Fernandes steering his side over the line following a “talismanic” midfield showing, as hailed by journalist Samuel Luckhurst.
Involved in all three goals following a trio of delightful set-piece deliveries, the Portuguese magician produced a real captain’s performance when United needed it most, a fact epitomised by his surging forward run down the left flank late in the day, with his inventive pull-back only narrowingly missing the sliding Noussair Mazraoui.
It has been said time and again but it is impossible to imagine just where the Red Devils would be without their midfield maestro, with Fernandes having again pulled the strings beautifully after registering four key passes in total, while also winning five of his seven total duels.
Like Maguire, the 30-year-old was right at the heart of the action at both ends of the pitch. The same, sadly, can’t be said for everyone…
Man Utd’s “anonymous” figure vs Ipswich
As De Ligt prodded home for his second league goal of the season, it may have been overlooked that the Dutchman is actually now level with a certain Rasmus Hojlund for top-flight goals in 2024/25. Two in 22 for any striker worth their salt is grim reading indeed.
Signed for an initial £64m back in the summer of 2023 – a figure which eclipses the fees dished out by Manchester City and Newcastle United for Erling Haaland (£51.2m) and Alexander Isak (£63m), no less – the 22-year-old Dane simply can’t buy a goal right now, having again been off the boil at Old Trafford.
There may be an argument that Hojlund simply does not get the service, having actually only missed three big chances this term, yet Wednesday night showed that even when openings do present themself, he is just not able to capitalise.
That was most apparent early in the second half, with the former Atalanta starlet opting to dummy Leny Yoro’s pullback after fine work from the Frenchman, rather than attempting to lash home himself with his stronger left foot.
As journalist Sam Pilger stated, the “anonymous” forward is now simply “sad to witness”, while his “confidence is on the floor”. As Luckhurst noted in his post-match player ratings for the Manchester Evening News, Hojlund was ‘not in the game at all in the first half and should have been the one to go off for Noussair Mazraoui.’
The issue is that it’s not even just in front of goal where the 4/10 man is found wanting, with his all-round contribution also under the microscope having failed to win a single duel on the night, while also being restricted to just 12 touches in all, fewer than fellow underperformer Onana who had 29.
The United number nine did enjoy a 100% pass accuracy rate, yet it was another game that largely passed him by, with it looking as if he could now be on borrowed time amid the looming presence of young Chido Obi.
As Hojlund showed last season, after ending as the club’s top goalscorer, there is a player in there somewhere.
At a club like United, however, if you don’t kick on, you’ll quickly find yourself being kicked out.
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Man Utd need a new source of goals and they could do so by dropping Rasmus Hojlund.
