Ruben Amorim began his career as Manchester United boss with a 1-1 draw against relegation-fighters Ipswich Town.
Amorim’s reign got off to the perfect start when – with just 80 seconds on the clock – Amad Diallo tore through the home side’s defence before putting the ball on a plate for Marcus Rashford to net.
However, United have only scored 13 goals in 12 Premier League games this season and lacked the forward play to break through Ipswich.
The Reds’ goalkeeper Andre Onana was forced to deny Cameron Burgess an equaliser as Ipswich came into the match.
However, the shot-stopper was helpless when Omari Hutchinson’s shot from outside the box took a deflection and crashed into the net.
Onana was forced back into action twice in the second half to deny Liam Delap and Conor Chaplin.
Despite Amorim making changes his side lacked the killer instinct as Ipswich kept his side at arm’s length to hold on for a draw.
The new United boss will have an Old Trafford welcome on Thursday night when his side welcome FK Bodø / Glimt in the UEFA Europa League.
Meanwhile, a point leaves Ipswich inside the relegation zone on goal difference and they travel to Nottingham Forest next weekend.
Talking Point – Amorim given reality check as United lack killer instinct
Despite having a new face in charge in the form of Amorim it was the same problems which plagued Manchester United.
Despite playing against a newly promoted Ipswich the Reds struggled to create chances and only had an expected goals statistic of 0.9.
Constant changing of the system and personnel over recent seasons at United has resulted in inconsistency and a lack of understanding.
The amount of misplaced passes and wayward crosses will frustrate Amorim and he will look back on two points dropped at Ipswich.
A midweek UEFA Europa League clash will provide a chance for more changes and testing of his squad before hosting Everton next weekend.
Player of the match – Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich)
The Ipswich forward provided the spark to bring his side back into the game and punish their visitors.
The former Chelsea youngster had an eye for goal which kept the United defence on their toes throughout the clash.
Hutchinson showed the belief required as he crashed home the equaliser which salvaged his side a valuable point.
Player Ratings
Ipswich Town: Muric 7, Tuanzebe 7, O’Shea 7, Burgess 7, Davis 6, Morsy 6, Cajuste 7, Burns 7, Hutchinson 7, Szmodics 6, Delap 7. Subs: Al-Hamadi 6, Chaplin 6, Clarke J 6, Taylor 6.
Manchester United: Onana 7, Mazraoui 6, De Ligt 6, Evans 6, Diallo 7, Casemiro 7, Eriksen 6, Dalot 6, Fernandes 7, Garnacho 7, Rashford 7. Subs: Hojlund 6, Mount 6, Shaw 6, Ugarte 6, Zirkzee 7
Match Highlights
2’ –GOAL! IPSWICH TOWN 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (RASHFORD): An excellent run on the overlap from Diallo who beats two defenders and then puts the ball on a plate for Rashford to slot home the opener.
40’ – ONANA SAVES UNITED: Ipswich cut the United defence open and the ball is played back to Burgess who is free inside the box. However, Onana is on hand to make a close range save to keep his side ahead.
43’ –GOAL! IPSWICH TOWN 1 (HUTCHINSON) MANCHESTER UNITED 1: Ipswich get their deserved equaliser as Hutchinson pulls away from his man outside the box. His effort across goal deflects off the head of Mazraoui and crashes into the net.
52’ –ONANA DENIES DELAP: A counter-attacking move starts with Delap before the ball is crossed back in for the striker. Delap looks to back-heel the ball home, but Onana is there at close range to make a fine save.
79’ –FERNANDES’ EFFORT FLASHES WIDE: The United midfielder curls his free-kick effort beautifully towards goal. With goalkeeper Muric worried the ball flies just wide of the far post.
88’ –CHAPLIN EFFORT SAVED: Ipswich come so close to going ahead as a lovely ball is pulled back into the box for Chaplin. However, he fails to fully connect with his effort and Onana saves.
Key Stats
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