Ipswich Town vs Manchester United. Premier League.
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Report as Ruben Amorim held by Ipswich in first game in charge of Man Utd; Marcus Rashford scores after 81 seconds; VAR temporarily inactive during first half after fire alarm at Stockley Park; Omari Hutchinson bends in first-half equaliser; Andre Onana makes brilliant save from Liam Delap
Sunday 24 November 2024 19:53, UK
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 from claiming 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.
"Do I believe they have the quality to get them back to top four? Absolutely not. The evidence is not there. It's the same old stuff. Predictable and a real lack of quality."
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.
But United did not 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.
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.
United had 70 per cent of possession in the second half and yet could not unlock Ipswich as Amorim introduced Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee with 20 minutes to play in search of a winner. It was Ipswich substitute Conor Chaplin, though, who nearly snatched it with his late effort from inside the box caught by Onana.
Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim told Sky Sports:
"My players were thinking too much in the game, you can feel it. Not just on the ball but where they are supposed to be. And that is hard. It's just two days with the team so it's really hard. We needed more physicality in the first half.
"It's a tough match, we lost some balls without pressure. You have to control the ball and the tempo of the game. They didn't do it but they really tried. They are really trying and they want this.
"They want this, the players want this, they don't know how to get it that was my feeling.
"We will try to find a lot of things about the players, we will need a lot of time to work out these things."
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."
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 a 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."
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told Sky Sports:
"Conceding early is a blow but we were the dominant team in the first half.
"Second half, United had more control but we didn't give up too many big chances. It was a competitive game we could have won but we take the point and move on to next week.
"You can see the growth in the team and when the game got difficult we were more mature. There is some good progress.
"We have to find ways to be competitive and sometimes we have to defend with the entire team, we did that in the second half. We are trying to be adaptable."
