Ipswich vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League result and final score from Ruben Amorim’s first game
Ipswich 1-1 Manchester United: Amorim was grateful for Andre Onana’s saves as the new boss took home a point from his first game in charge
Ruben Amorim enjoyed a dream start to life at Manchester United but could not claim an opening win in the Premier League as Ipswich claimed a draw at Portman Road.
Marcus Rashford scored after just two minutes of Amorim’s first game in charge - with the Portuguese coach seeing his new system click into gear in a stylish move.
But Omari Hutchinson equalised before half time with a wonderful curling effort into the top corner and United needed Andre Onana to be on top form to secure the visitors a point.
The United goalkeeper twice denied Liam Delap with fine saves, leaving Amorim with plenty of work to do to get his new side to where he wants them to be.
Follow all the reaction from the 1-1 draw, below:
Match facts
Ipswich have lost four of their last five Premier League games against Man Utd (D1), failing to score in each defeat. This is their first such meeting since a 1-0 home loss in April 2002.
They are looking to earn back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since February 2002 (a run of four that started with a 2-1 win against Tottenham).
Ipswich are the only side without a home win in the Premier League this season (P5 D3 L2). Only five newly promoted sides have failed to win their opening six home matches of a Premier League campaign, all of which went on to be relegated: Swindon Town in 1993/94, Crystal Palace in 1997/98, Norwich City in 2004/05, Sunderland in 2005/06, and Burnley in 2023/24.
Head-to-head
These two sides have met 51 times in the past, though not since 2015, when United won 3-0 in an FA Cup tie.
The last time the two sides met in the league was in 2002, when United ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a penalty from Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
Overall, United have won 25 meetings, Ipswich have won 17, and nine have ended as draws.
McKenna: “I think we have enough depth to be competitive"
In his pre-match press conference, Kieran McKenna said that he thinks that his side “ have enough depth at the moment to be competitive in the match”.
“We are going to put out the team we think gives us the best chance to win the game.
“We will have some good options and hopefully if we can get a few players back in the next week or so we will have a strong squad available for a busy run of games.
“We’ve had the balance of a little bit of rest – because we know it is a busier spell coming up now right through until the March international fixtures – but also some good preparation time. Preparation time that has been important with the team we are facing next under new management.
“It’s been about getting them focused and ready for a big performance on Sunday.”
Leading Man Utd back to top a ‘huge responsibility’, says new boss Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim is relishing the “huge responsibility” of taking Manchester United back to the top as the new head coach prepares to take charge for the first time at Ipswich.
Having stayed at Sporting Lisbon for three final matches after being named Erik ten Hag’s successor on November 1, the 39-year-old will finally be in the Red Devils’ dugout for Sunday’s trip to Portman Road.
Quite the task awaits Amorim given underperforming United entered the weekend 13th in the Premier League standings with a paltry four wins from their opening 11 matches.
Leading Man Utd back to top a ‘huge responsibility’, says new boss Amorim
Amorim takes charge of the team for the first time this weekend.
Form guide
Before the international break, Ipswich won their first game of the season with a 2-1 victory at Spurs. In the four matches before that, they had had three losses and a draw, including a 4-3 loss to Brentford and 4-1 loss to West Ham.
Kieran McKenna’s side sit 19th in the league, but only one point away from the safety zone.
United have had mixed results themselves, though things have picked up slightly since Erik ten Hag was sacked. They beat Leicester 3-0 last time out, and beat PAOK in the Europa League after a draw to Chelsea at Old Trafford.
They sit 12th on just 15 points as things stand.
Why Ruben Amorim can succeed where previous Manchester United managers have failed
In preparing for his presentation as Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim has been mindful of an idea that has guided his coaching career so far. That is, if you can’t say something in a single sentence, don’t do it. Work on it, so it’s clear.
That approach has never been more necessary than at Old Trafford, where constant noise and fire have created this fog around one of English football’s great institutions. The team, as much as anything else, could do with some simple clarity.
That is what the players have found in Amorim’s training sessions. They’ve been impressed by the focus of his instructions, as he immerses himself in the drills. It’s only a decade since Amorim was a player, after all. The image so far has been assured.
Why Ruben Amorim can succeed where previous Man Utd managers have failed
As he prepares for his first game as United boss, Amorim may just have the secret to success at Old Trafford where his predecessors fell down, writes Miguel Delaney
Ruben Amorim names first Manchester United line-up
We thought there would be some surprises! Ruben Amorim names his first Manchester United team, with a front-three of Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford and both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund on the bench!
The back three is made up of Noussair Mazrouai, Matthijs De Ligt and Jonny Evans, with Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot the full-backs? Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are the midfield pair and there is strength on the bench, with Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw all there.
Ruben Amorim names first Manchester United line-up
Ipswich XI: Muric, Davis, Burgess, O’Shea, Johnson, Tuanzebe, Morsy, Cajuste, Szmodics, Hutchinson, Delap
Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazrouai, De Ligt, Evans, Casemiro, Eriksen, Amad, Dalot, Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford
Subs: Bayindir, Malacia, Shaw, Mainoo, Mount, Ugarte, Antony, Hojlund, Zirkzee
Team news
We’re expecting team news in the next five minutes or so. What will the first starting eleven of Ruben Amorim’s tenure bring?
Leny Yoro is NOT in the United squad - so he’ll have to wait a little longer for a debut.
Manchester United injury return dates: Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Victor Lindelof latest news
Manchester United are preparing to embark on a new era as Ruben Amorim takes charge for their Premier League fixture against Ipswich.
The Portuguese manager arrived at Old Trafford during the international break after being identified as Erik ten Hag’s permanent successor.
He will now get to work on continuing the club’s strong recent form, with interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy overseeing a promising period.
And Amorim could be immediately boosted by a couple of injury returnees.
Man Utd injury return dates: Martinez, Mainoo, Lindelof latest news
New manager Ruben Amorim is preparing to take charge of his first game
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