Manchester United beat Ipswich Town 5-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday to claim their first Premier League win of the season.
Bruno Fernandes led the way with a brilliant hat-trick. Bryan Mbeumo also scored, while Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves added an own goal.
Leif Davis and Chuba Akpom scored for Ipswich. However, United controlled the second half and secured a convincing victory.
The result gives Michael Carrick’s side a major boost after their opening-weekend defeat to Hull City. Ipswich, meanwhile, must respond after beating Sunderland in their first match.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore reviews a dramatic afternoon in Manchester.
Carrick rings the changes
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick made several changes after the disappointing opening weekend.
Lisandro Martínez, Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo returned to the starting XI. Marcus Rashford also made his first United start since December 2024.
Ipswich arrived at Old Trafford with three points already on the board. Gary O’Neil kept the same starting XI after the win over Sunderland.
The visitors also had 6ft 9in goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen between the posts.
United needed a response, and the players looked determined to provide one.
Scrappy start in Manchester
The match began at a fast pace, with both teams creating early chances.
Dalot produced United’s first major opportunity. He cut inside from the right and curled a shot towards the far corner.
Scherpen reacted quickly and tipped the effort over the bar.
Ipswich then launched a counter-attack. Julio Enciso raced forward before forcing Senne Lammens into a save.
United responded through Marcus Rashford. He almost connected with Matheus Cunha’s cross but could not get the final touch.
The hosts continued to attack, but Ipswich remained dangerous on the break.
Daizen Maeda later found space behind the United defence. His shot across goal forced another save from Lammens.
Bruno Fernandes then stepped up for a free-kick from around 22 yards. However, his effort hit the wall.
United controlled possession but still looked vulnerable when Ipswich countered.
Ipswich, hosts trade blows
Ipswich eventually found the breakthrough.
Abdul Fatawu beat Luke Shaw on the flank before cutting the ball back across the box.
Leif Davis kept his finish low and gave Ipswich the lead.
Davis almost doubled the advantage moments later. Fatawu again created space and delivered another dangerous cross.
This time, Lammens managed to keep the ball out.
United needed a response before half-time. They finally found one after Marcelino Núñez slipped on the wet pitch.
Cunha quickly collected the loose ball and played Fernandes through on goal.
The United captain moved towards the right side of the box before firing past Scherpen.
The goal made it 1-1 and gave United renewed momentum.
The first half ended with both teams creating chances. United had more possession, but Ipswich continued to threaten on the counter-attack.
United at the double
United started the second half with greater control.
Rashford almost put the hosts ahead after connecting with Dalot’s deep cross. He sent the ball back across the box, but Mbeumo hit the post from close range.
United soon took the lead in controversial fashion.
Harry Maguire appeared to handle the ball while battling for possession near the edge of the box. He then got a shot away.
The effort deflected off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves and went into the net.
Ipswich appealed for a handball, but VAR ruled that Maguire’s contact was accidental.
United now had the advantage.
The hosts quickly increased the pressure again. Mainoo carried the ball forward before finding Cunha inside the box.
Greaves brought Cunha down and the referee awarded a penalty.
Fernandes stepped up and calmly converted from the spot.
The goal made it 3-1 and gave United a two-goal cushion.
A wet victory secured
Ipswich struggled to contain United as the rain became heavier.
Rashford almost added a fourth after meeting another Dalot cross. Scherpen produced a strong save to deny him.
Fernandes completed his hat-trick soon afterwards.
Mainoo had a shot blocked before Mbeumo collected the loose ball. His effort then created another chance for Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder reacted quickly and finished past Scherpen.
The Bruno Fernandes hat-trick gave United a commanding 4-1 lead.
Fernandes almost scored again from the halfway line after Ipswich made a mistake from kick-off.
His ambitious effort landed on top of the net.
United remained in complete control as Carrick made further substitutions.
The hosts then added a fifth goal with eight minutes remaining.
Fernandes produced an excellent pass over the Ipswich defence. Mbeumo raced through and lifted the ball over Scherpen.
The ball struck the post before bouncing back towards the goal. It eventually crossed the line despite Greaves’ attempt to clear it.
Ipswich did manage a second goal during added time.
Martínez lost possession to EIpswich struggled to contain United as the rain became heavier.
Rashford almost added a fourth after meeting another Dalot cross. Scherpen produced a strong save to deny him.
Fernandes completed his hat-trick soon afterwards.
Mainoo had a shot blocked before Mbeumo collected the loose ball. His effort created another chance for Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder reacted quickly and finished past Scherpen.
The Bruno Fernandes hat-trick gave United a commanding 4-1 lead.
Fernandes almost scored again from the halfway line after Ipswich made a mistake from kick-off.
His ambitious effort landed on top of the net.
United remained in complete control as Carrick made further substitutions.
The hosts then added a fifth goal with eight minutes remaining.
Fernandes produced an excellent pass over the Ipswich defence. Mbeumo raced through and lifted the ball over Scherpen.
The ball struck the post before bouncing back towards the goal. It eventually crossed the line despite Greaves’ attempt to clear it.
Ipswich did manage a second goal during added time.
Martínez lost possession to Enciso, who quickly found Akpom. The substitute finished from close range to make it 5-2.
United saw out the remaining minutes to secure a convincing victory.nciso, who quickly found Akpom. The substitute finished from close range to make it 5-2.
United saw out the remaining minutes to secure a convincing victory.
Glimpse into the future
The result offered an early glimpse of what Manchester United could achieve this season.
United finished with 32 shots and created numerous opportunities. However, they also allowed Ipswich to create several dangerous chances.
The defensive performance still needs improvement. United cannot afford to rely on their attack in every match.
Fernandes, though, showed why he remains one of the most important players in the team.
His hat-trick gave United the attacking spark they needed. Rashford also looked dangerous during his return to the starting XI.
United still expect further reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
With more quality added to the midfield and defence, Carrick will hope his team can build on this impressive victory.
For now, the 5-2 win over Ipswich gives Manchester United confidence and three valuable Premier League points.
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