Manchester United were thwarted in their pursuit of the perfect start to the Ruben Amorim era on Sunday evening, as Ipswich Town equalised after falling behind and ultimately held firm to earn a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
Much to Amorim's delight, Man United burst out of the blocks and took the lead inside two minutes as Amad Diallo surged past two defenders down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Marcus Rashford's near-post run saw him beat Arijanet Muric to the ball and poke into the net with his left foot.
The visitors pushed to extend their lead in the moments that followed, but Ipswich held out, gradually growing into the game and posing a serious threat as half time approached, with Omari Hutchinson looking particularly dangerous as he repeatedly outpaced and outmanoeuvred Man United's defence.
Hutchinson's threat was eventually rewarded when the forward pulled Ipswich level with a sensational curling strike that sailed past Andre Onana's outstretched arm and into the top left corner, a deserving equaliser after a period of dominance from the Tractor Boys heading into the break.
Neither team was able to seize control directly from the restart, with both having numerous chances to take the lead but ultimately being foiled at the last moment, leaving the tension to build as the clock ticked toward the 90th minute.
The Red Devils did begin to dominate as the game neared its end, though Ipswich still looked dangerous on the rare occasion they could break forward, but the hosts ultimately held firm to ensure the game ended all square.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. MANCHESTER UNITED HIGHLIGHTS
Marcus Rashford goal vs. Ipswich Town (2nd min, Ipswich Town 0-1 Manchester United)
"Ruben's reds have RIPPED right into it."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 24, 2024
Marcus Rashford gifts Ruben Amorim with a goal early doors against Ipswich Town 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uIrmN7zbMX
Amorim and Man United are off to the dream start, Rashford scores inside two minutes!
Diallo brilliantly powers down the right in his new-found wing-back role, breaking past two players and delivering a right-footed cross into the box.
Rashford, playing in a new role as the main striker for the visitors, makes a run toward the near post and beats Muric to the ball, tapping the cross into the back of the net with his left foot, giving Man United an early lead.
Omari Hutchinson goal vs. Manchester United (43rd min, Ipswich Town 1-1 Manchester United)
TAKE A BOW 😨
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 24, 2024
Omari Hutchinson scores his first Premier League goal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Fg5Of88gm2
That is phenomenal from Hutchinson, Ipswich are deservedly level just before half time!
The hosts are enjoying a period of sustained attacks with Hutchinson dictating much of the play, and the forward eventually receives the ball in a shooting position just outside the box.
Hutchinson takes two touches to set himself before firing a curled strike towards the top left corner, with the ball deflecting slightly off Noussair Mazraoui and over Onana's outstretched arm into the net, nothing less than Ipswich deserve.
MAN OF THE MATCH - OMARI HUTCHINSON
© Imago
Hutchinson was undoubtedly the standout player, especially in the first half, as he consistently tormented the Manchester United defence, eventually being rewarded for his efforts with a sublime equaliser from distance.
The forward deserves much more credit than just for his goal, making a key pass, successfully completing two dribbles, and working tirelessly in defensive areas to keep Ipswich in the game.
Onana also deserves mention for his fantastic performance, making several crucial saves, including two standout stops to deny Liam Delap from scoring from close range in either half.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH STATS
Possession: Ipswich Town 40%-60% Manchester United
Shots: Ipswich Town 11-11 Manchester United
Shots on target: Ipswich Town 6-4 Manchester United
Corners: Ipswich Town 4-3 Manchester United
Fouls: Ipswich Town 12-10 Manchester United
BEST STATS
2 - Rúben Amorim is only the second permanent manager in Premier League history to see his side score within the opening two minutes of his very first game in charge in the competition, along with David Moyes with Everton in March 2002. Dreamland. pic.twitter.com/tQAFY0Kbov
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 24, 2024
4 - Only Manchester City (7) and Nottingham Forest (5) have scored more Premier League goals from outside the box than Ipswich Town this season (4), with all four being scored by different players (Szmodics, Delap, Morsy & Hutchinson). Range. pic.twitter.com/QAVABvBq2z
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 24, 2024
Marcus Rashford scored with his only shot and his only touch inside the opposition box against Ipswich.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 24, 2024
He's nothing but efficient. 😀 #IPSMUN pic.twitter.com/LQ7VgWDqce
WHAT NEXT?
The point for Ipswich means they have now superbly recorded four points from their last two matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Man United, and they will look to extend that streak when the Tractor Boys travel to face Nottingham Forest next week.
As for the visitors, Man United failed to start the Amorim era with all three points as they were held to a 1-1 draw, but they will look to secure their first win under their new boss when they host Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on Thursday.
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