Sport
Ipswich 1-1 Manchester United: Ruben Amorim held in first game by Omari Hutchinson equaliser after Marcus Rashford opener
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw in Ruben Amorim's first match despite Marcus Rashford's opener inside two minutes.
United's new era began with a new formation as Amorim switched to the back three and Rashford started up front, tapping in after just 81 seconds – but Ipswich deservedly grabbed a point through Omari Hutchinson's deflected equalizer.
Amorim's side were second best in the first half, although they dominated possession in the second half. Yet they still needed a brilliant save from Andre Onana to prevent Ipswich from claiming their first home win in the Premier League.
“You have to give the man a chance,” said Roy Keane of Sky Sports. “But the threat in the future is a big problem for Man Utd. It's not good enough.
“Do I believe they have the quality to get them back into the top four? Absolutely not. The evidence isn't there. It's the same old stuff. Predictable and a real lack of quality.”
Amad Diallo, operating at right wing-back, gave Amorim a dream start by charging forward on the right and burning past Leif Davis and Jens Cajust, before seeing his low cross in the middle tapped in by Rashford.
But United failed to build on their early opener and instead Ipswich had the best of the first half, with VAR temporarily inactive due to a fire alarm at Stockley Park.
Sammie Szmodics forced Onana to parry and the Man Utd goalkeeper spread to deny Liam Delap from close range with his right arm.
Amorim grew nervous in the dugout but barely reacted when Hutchinson's curling effort found the top left corner after clearing a deflection off Noussair Mazraoui's head shortly before half-time.
Garnacho forced a save from Arijanet Muric in the opening 60 seconds of the first half, but Onana stole the show at the other end, brilliantly keeping out Delap's short shot with his right foot.
United had 70 percent possession in the second half and still could not unlock Ipswich as Amorim introduced Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee with 20 minutes to play in search of a winner. However, it was Ipswich substitute Conor Chaplin who almost grabbed the ball with his late effort from the penalty area, caught by Onana.
Amorim: The players thought too much, we need time
Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim told Sky Sports:
“My players were thinking too much in the game, you can feel it. Not only on the ball, but where they need to be. And that's difficult. It's only two days with the team, so it's really difficult. We had more physicality.” in the first half.
“It's a tough game, we lost some balls without pressure. You have to control the ball and the tempo of the game. They didn't do it, but they really tried. They are trying their best and they want this. “
“They want this, the players want this, they don't know how to get it, that was my feeling.
“We will try to find a lot of things about the players, we will need a lot of time to work these things out.”
Keane: Same problems for United
Roy Keane from Sky Sports:
“He's got big problems. The lack of threat in the second half and Ipswich looked like they were going to go on and win. They haven't won at home all season. Same problems for Man Utd, but he's only had a week with them played.”
“You have to give the man a chance, but the threat in the future is a big problem for Man Utd. It's not good enough.”
“We've seen the form of the team, but it's the same players and the same problems. We're talking about leopards and spots. Lack of goals and lack of quality in the second half. Ipswich looked the better team.”
“It's his first game. There's a lot to do and it was a mental week for him [Amorim] but in the end he will be disappointed.”
Redknapp: Amorim needs time and patience
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
“It was exactly what I expected. The manager has no magic wand, he has hardly had time to work with these players. He is trying to create a system and a way of playing, but he will need time.”
“The players who let you down last year didn't suddenly become great players because Amorim walked into the club. It doesn't work that way. So patience, time and he will learn a lot about it.” who is going to be part of his plan and who is not.”
McKenna: We were adults when the game got hard
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told Sky Sports:
“To concede early is a blow, but in the first half we were the dominant team.
“In the second half United had more control but we didn't give away too many big chances. It was a competitive game that we could have won but we take the point and move on to next week.
“You can see the growth in the team and when the game became difficult we were more mature. There is good progress.
“We have to find ways to be competitive and sometimes we have to defend with the whole team, we did that in the second half. We try to adapt.”
