Bruno Fernandes produced a perfect captain’s performance as Manchester United secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town.
United recovered from Leif Davis’ opener through a Fernandes hat-trick, a Jacob Greaves own goal and Bryan Mbeumo‘s late finish.
Kobbie Mainoo also impressed after Michael Carrick recalled him to midfield, while Marcus Rashford looked dangerous on his first United start since December 2024.
ReadManUtd’s full Man Utd 5-2 Ipswich match report is available here.
Man Utd player ratings vs Ipswich
Senne Lammens – 6
Made an important stop from Davis shortly after Ipswich took the lead and could do little about the excellent opener.
United’s late defensive mistake denied him the chance of finishing with only one conceded.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Offered width and regularly pushed forward during United’s periods of pressure.
More secure than Shaw defensively before Carrick replaced both full-backs after 73 minutes.
Harry Maguire – 7
Played a decisive part in United taking the lead.
His driven effort from the edge of the box deflected off Greaves for the own goal after VAR checked an accidental Maguire handball.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Produced some excellent distribution, including a superb long pass towards Rashford during the second half.
But his careless loss of possession directly preceded Akpom’s stoppage-time goal and takes the shine off the performance.
Luke Shaw – 4
The biggest concern in an otherwise positive afternoon.
Fatawu went past Shaw far too easily before supplying Davis for Ipswich’s opener, continuing the defensive questions surrounding the left-back position.
United have already been considering different solutions at left-back, and this performance will do little to end that debate.
Kobbie Mainoo – 9
Outstanding.
United’s midfield immediately looked more progressive with Mainoo restored to the starting XI.
His incisive pass released Cunha to win the penalty for 3-1, while he was involved repeatedly during the second-half siege and his shot helped create the sequence from which Fernandes completed his hat-trick.
A serious statement to Carrick.
Youri Tielemans – 6
Better than at Hull without dominating the game.
Moved the ball tidily and benefited from Mainoo providing greater energy alongside him, although there were still moments when Ipswich played through United too easily.
Bryan Mbeumo – 8
Should have scored earlier when Rashford presented him with an enormous chance only for Mbeumo to somehow strike the crossbar from close range.
Recovered superbly.
Played a part in Fernandes’ third goal and then produced an excellent finish for United’s fifth after being released by the captain.
Bruno Fernandes – 10 ⭐
Hat-trick. Assist. Match winner.
Dragged United level at 1-0 down, confidently dispatched the penalty, completed his hat-trick from open play and then supplied Mbeumo for the fifth.
Fernandes created three chances in addition to his three goals and assist.
Days after winning the PFA Player of the Year award, United’s captain provided another reminder of his importance.
Perfect performance.
Marcus Rashford – 8
A very encouraging first United start in more than 18 months.
Direct, confident and repeatedly attacked his defender. Rashford produced a superb volleyed cross that Mbeumo somehow failed to convert and later forced an excellent save with a powerful volley.
He even drew a roar from Old Trafford for tracking back to win the ball late on.
Rashford has given Carrick a genuine selection decision.
Matheus Cunha – 8
Much more influential than against Hull.
Reacted brilliantly to Nunez’s mistake before releasing Fernandes for the equaliser, then won the penalty after Mainoo sent him through.
Two major contributions to the comeback without getting on the scoresheet himself.
Substitutes
Leny Yoro – 6
Replaced Dalot after 73 minutes and helped see out the game without attracting much attention.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Came on for Shaw at the same time and offered Carrick another look at his options on the left.
The late Ipswich goal prevented United from finishing as comfortably as they should have, but the second-half attacking performance was a dramatic improvement from Hull.
