Man Utd XI for last trip to Ipswich: tennis player and star who retired at 45

MANCHESTER UNITED last faced Ipswich Town at Portman Road more than twenty years ago.

But this Sunday Ruben Amorim will meet United manager for the first time when they visit the Tractor Boys.

The Portuguese boss has replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot seat and has immediately started training.

Amorim would like to see Sunday's match play out the same as the last league match between the clubs.

That ended in a 1-0 victory for United led by Sir Alex Ferguson.

A lot has changed at the club since April 2002, and of course in the starting XI.

Here's a look at that match's starting team and what those players are up to…

Roy Caroll

In goal for United was the Northern Irish stopper Carroll.

He stayed at Old Trafford until 2005 and then played for West Ham, Rangers and Derby County.

He continued his career abroad playing for Danish side Odense Boldklub and Greek sides OFL and Olympiacos.

Carroll returned to England with Notts County in 2014 and continued his career until 2021.

However, he made a shock return to playing in 2023 – at the age of 45 – when he retired to play for Ballinamallard United in Northern Ireland.

Phil Neville

Neville started the match against the Tractor Boys at left back.

The defender also stayed at the club until 2005, when he left for Everton.

Neville was with the Toffees until his retirement in 2013, taking on coaching roles at United and Valencia.

In 2018, he was appointed manager of the England women's team and stepped down in 2021.

He then served as head coach of Canada and is now in charge of the MLS team Portland Timbers.

Wes Brown

Brown was one of two centre-backs in a defense that kept a clean sheet.

He stayed at United until 2011 and subsequently played for Sunderland, Blackburn and Indian side Kerala Blasters.

The Englishman retired in 2018 and started a car company.

In 2023 he was declared bankrupt despite receiving wages of £50,000 per week during his career.

John O'Shea

O'Shea partnered Brown at the heart of the defence.

The Irishman also left the club in 2011 when he joined Brown at Sunderland.

He remained at the club until 2018 after repeated relegations to League One.

He retired in 2019 after a year at Reading and was most recently caretaker manager and assistant boss for the Republic of Ireland.

Dennis Irwin

Irwin was coming to the end of his playing days when he lined up against Ipswich.

He retired in 2004 after a two-year spell at Wolves.

After hanging up his boots, the Irishman moved into media and started working as a presenter for MUTV.

He subsequently became a columnist for the Irish newspaper Sunday World and contributed to RTE.

Nicky Butt

Butt was in the engine room against Ipswich.

He stayed at United until 2004 and then had a good spell at Newcastle until 2010.

He retired in 2011 after playing for the Hong Kong team South China.

He was most recently CEO at Salford City, but stepped down in October.

Butt was one of the United legends to invest in Salford in 2014.

Michael Stewart

Scotsman Stewart made one of his few Premier League appearances for United in this match.

The midfielder left the club in 2005 after making just fourteen appearances in all competitions.

He spent most of his career in Scotland with Hibernian and Hearts of Midlothian.

He ended his playing days in England with Charlton Athletic in 2011.

After retiring, Stewart entered politics when he attempted to become the SNP candidate for Edinburgh West at the 2015 general election, but failed to win the party's nomination.

He has since worked as a pundit for BBC Scotland and the Scottish Sun.

Luke Chadwick

Chadwick was another part of Ferguson's midfield.

He left United in 2004 and continued playing until 2016.

The midfielder had spells at clubs such as West Ham, Stoke City, Norwich City, MK Dons and Cambridge Town before his final club became Soham Town Rangers.

He was most recently director of The Football Fun Factory, a coach provider, and has his own branch.

Roy Keane

Keane was the last midfielder in the team at Portman Road.

He controversially left United in 2005 for one season at Celtic before retiring from playing.

Keane then tried his hand at management with stints at Sunderland and Ipswich Town.

He also coached under Martin O'Neill at the Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest.

He has now become a favorite pundit on Sky Sports and fans often praise his analysis.

Keane recently praised future son-in-law Taylor Harwood-Bellis after scoring on his England debut.

Diego Forlan

Forlan, one of two forwards who started the match, may have had the biggest career change.

The Uruguayan forward struggled to show his best form during his two-year spell with the Red Devils.

He left in 2004 and became one of Europe's best during his spells at LaLiga clubs Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.

He retired from football in 2018, but that did not end his sports career.

Earlier this month, he was the wildcard entry into the main draw of the 2024 Uruguay Open.

However, he and his partner, the Argentinian Federico Coria, were defeated in straight sets.

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Van Nistelrooy was the match winner against Ipswich with his goal in the 45th minute.

The Dutchman was one of the most prolific strikers during his time in the Premier League.

He left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in 2006 and ended his career with Malaga in 2012.

The former striker has since focused on coaching and was interim boss at United after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.

He won three out of four matches during his undefeated time in charge of the club, before being dropped by Amorim.