Manchester United face Ipswich Town for the first time in over a decade on Wednesday evening, with the visitors earning the trip to Old Trafford in this Capital One Cup tie after beating Doncaster Rovers in the previous round. After losing to MK Dons at the first hurdle last season, Louis van Gaal will be hoping for a better performance from his team in the competition this term.
Ipswich Town 0-1 Manchester United – 2002
In a relatively uninspiring affair, United edged out Ipswich by just the one goal the last time the sides met in April 2002. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the penalty spot to keep Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in contention for a fourth consecutive Premier League title, though it ultimately wasn’t to be.
United rested some players ahead of a Champions League semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen just days later, though that was to no avail, either. The defeat for Ipswich, meanwhile, pushed them closer to inevitable relegation from the Premier League, and they haven’t returned to the top flight since.
Manchester United 4-0 Ipswich Town – 2002
In what proved to be a comfortable afternoon, United strolled to a 4-0 win over Ipswich. Again, Sir Alex Ferguson rested several players after a Champions League match days earlier, though it didn’t affect the outcome of the match.
First half goals from Ronny Johnsen and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put United in a commanding position, whilst Andy Cole extended the advantage late in the match.
Solskjaer then grabbed himself a second to make the scoreline look more respectable, with United earning themselves another three points.
Manchester United 2-0 Ipswich Town – 2001
A first half brace from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was key in helping United to victory over Ipswich. The Norweigan scored the first after rounding goalkeeper Richard Wright- now a back-up at Manchester City- before controlling a pass from David Beckham to score a second.
United were mostly untroubled in the second half, though David Healy did hit the post for the visitors with just ten minutes remaining. Other than that, the home team were faced with few difficulties on their way to this run-of-the-mill victory.
Ipswich Town 1-1 Manchester United – 2001
In the second game of the 2000/01 campaign, United were held by Ipswich at Portman Road in a challenging encounter. Sir Alex Ferguson said the home team deserved the point after the match, who went in front after defender Fabian Wilnis’ early strike.
United equalised before the break through a David Beckham free kick, but couldn’t find a winner in the second half. Ipswich managed to take a point in what was one of the most competitive games between these teams in more recent times.
Ipswich Town 2-0 Manchester United – 2000
Interestingly, the last time United faced Ipswich in the League Cup, it was the Suffolk based side who emerged victorious.
First half goals from Alex Mathie and Mauricio Taricco gave Ipswich the victory, with United fielding an under-strength team, albeit with plenty of big games. After the match, Sir Alex Ferguson felt the competition was a distraction from other priorities that season. Could a similar outcome be on the cards at Old Trafford on Wednesday?
