Kieran McKenna is looking forward to returning to Old Trafford for the first time since he left Manchester United in December 2021 for Ipswich Town.
McKenna joined United van Tottenham in 2016 and stood up by the Academy ranks before he was promoted to the coaching staff of the first team during the time of Jose Mourinho.
The 38-year-old spent time as an assistant of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim manager Ralf Rangnick, before moving to Portman Road and Ipswich led to back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.
Although Ipswich has been struggling in their first top season since 2001-02, McKenna said that his players were enthusiastic about the trip to Old Trafford this Wednesday.
“It's a quick change. There is a lot of work to do in the coming days, but everyone is really enthusiastic,” said McKenna.
“The chance to compete there in a league match is fantastic for the football club, for the group of players and for the staff.
“It is a stadium where many of us grew up watching football and are inspired. You want the players to feel nothing but excitement and good feelings for the game.
“Of course it is also a difficult challenge, and we have to prepare for that, but the compelling feeling in the building is excitement.”
Midweek in Manchester. #Munips pic.twitter.com/kbtt9apfxe
– Ippswich Town (@ipswichtown) 24 February 2025
In the meantime, United will want to build on the momentum that was extracted from their 2-2 draw with Everton, after fighting two goals to claim a point in Goodison Park.
The Red Devils are 15th in the Premier League table, but have not won at Old Trafford in the top of the top since a 3-1 win over Southampton on January 16.
Ruben Amorim has won only four of his 15 Premier League matches, with only two of those victories for United supporters since he took over.
“Since I arrived, I expect to win all the games at home. I don't feel the pressure because I don't feel it – the supporters are great,” Amorim said.
“Every time you go to Old Trafford, you feel the support until the end. I don't feel the pressure and we have to stop and think about the last game.
“It's a new game and it can be a new story.”
Amorim was also able to give an update about team news before he was confronted with Ipswich, but said he would have the same players available from their collision with Everton.
“We have the same team. They improve, but nobody will be restored for this game,” Amorim concluded.
Players to watch
Man United – Bruno Fernandes
In a disappointing representation against Everton, Fernandes continued to show why he is an important gear in the United team with a free kick that led their turnaround in Goodison Park.
In the Premier League this season, no player has created more opportunities for United than Fernandes (55), while he is also the joint-top scorer of the Red Devils in the top with six goals. His creative spark will be needed again to get Amorim's side back on track.
Ipswich – Omari Hutchinson
Hutchinson took his first goal in five Premier League performances by a 36th minute attempt against Tottenham, and he hopes to continue that momentum at Old Trafford.
He also scored the goal of the Tractor Boys in their 1-1 draw with United in the reverse match-the last Ipswich player to score Home and Away League goals against the Red Devils in one campaign was Chris Kiwomya in 1992-93 .
Match forecast: Manchester United Win
United is unbeaten in their last seven Home League matches against Ipswich (W5 D2) and each of the last three wins with a total score of 15-0.
However, they lost seven Premier League matches this season, with five of those in Amorim's seven who are in charge. They last lost more at Old Trafford in a single competition campaign in 1962-63 (nine).
And the recent struggles of the Red Devils are due to a slow start. During the break they have not been ahead in one of their last 19 games in all competitions, since they led 2-0 against Everton in December. In the Premier League, this term indeed only scored Leicester City (seven) less in the first half than the Red Devils (nine).
In the meantime, Ipswich has only held one clean slate in their last 23 league games against United, which in November 1993 came into a aimless draw in Old Trafford.
The last way of the Tractor Boys' League victory against United was in May 1984 (2-1), which was the last occasion that the Red Devils lost a home competition in which they led during the break. Since then they have since been unbeaten in 388 of such games (W355 D33).
Ipswich did not succeed in winning one of their seven Premier League matches so far in 2025 (D2 L5), with an average of three goals per match this year. Only in 1970 (top flight) and 1990 (second level) did they not succeed in winning their first eight league games in a calendar year.
Opta wins probability
Man United – 60%
Drawing – 20.8%
Ipswich – 19.2%
Comments