Manchester United responded emphatically to their opening-day defeat as Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick‘s side fell behind to Leif Davis after 29 minutes, but Fernandes levelled before half-time and United overwhelmed Ipswich after the restart.
A Jacob Greaves own goal put United ahead before Fernandes struck twice more, including from the penalty spot, and Bryan Mbeumo added the fifth. Chuba Akpom scored Ipswich’s second in stoppage time, with the Standard’s match report confirming the final 5-2 scoreline.
Bruno Fernandes leads Man Utd response
United entered the game under immediate pressure following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Hull City.
Carrick restored Marcus Rashford to the starting XI for his first United start since December 2024, while Kobbie Mainoo partnered Youri Tielemans in midfield. Reuters reported Rashford’s return to the starting side before kick-off.
Ipswich nevertheless struck first.
Davis found the breakthrough after 29 minutes to threaten another difficult afternoon for United, but Fernandes changed the momentum before the interval.
The captain converted United’s equaliser in the 40th minute to ensure the sides went into half-time level, with The Guardian’s live coverage documenting United’s recovery before the break.
It was exactly the kind of influence United needed after ReadManUtd highlighted the importance of getting Fernandes into more dangerous areas against Ipswich.
Man Utd tear Ipswich apart after half-time
United took control during a ruthless second-half spell.
Greaves put through his own net in the 56th minute before Fernandes converted from the penalty spot five minutes later.
The Portuguese then completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute to turn a 1-0 deficit into a commanding 4-1 advantage.
Mbeumo had earlier struck the crossbar from close range but recovered to score United’s fifth in the 82nd minute.
Ipswich did pull another goal back in stoppage time, with Sky Sports confirming Chuba Akpom’s late strike made it 5-2.
Carrick gets the reaction he demanded
The victory gives United their first Premier League points of the season and provides a much-needed response after Hull.
Fernandes was central to everything positive.
Only days after being named the PFA Player of the Year, the United captain produced three goals to reinforce his importance to Carrick’s side, with Reuters confirming his PFA award earlier this week.
Mainoo’s return to the starting midfield also gave Carrick something to consider while Carlos Baleba remains unavailable with an ankle injury.
ReadManUtd reported on Friday that both Baleba and Amad would miss the Ipswich game, with Carrick expecting the £70million midfielder to remain sidelined for another couple of weeks.
There are still defensive issues to address after conceding twice to promoted opposition at Old Trafford.
But after falling behind and facing the prospect of another damaging result, United finally demonstrated the attacking quality Carrick expected from his rebuilt side.
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