S Poddar
Ruben Amorim’s maiden managerial assignment could hardly have gone much worse, despite the bright start, as Manchester United came away with a disappointing 1-1 draw from Ipswich Town.
Marcus Rashford’s lightning-fast goal in the second minute set the tone for what could have been a dominant performance. However, Ipswich, inspired by their star signing Omari Hutchinson, fought back and leveled the score before halftime.
However, buoyed by their equalizer, the Tractor Boys pushed hard for a winner and were unlucky not to secure all three points. Their attacking intent was evident throughout the game but was thwarted by United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made a series of stunning saves, notably from Liam Delap on no less than three occasions.
While Rashford’s early goal marked a high point, United overall showed a quite abject display. Quite often they were unable to totally control the game and at times looked vulnerable at the back. Tactical decisions of Amorim, particularly playing Amad Diallo as a wing-back, did not pay off much.
The draw leaves United in the bottom half of the Premier League table, a disappointing position for this club with high ambitions. Ipswich are in the relegation zone but gave a spirited performance against a big name, and it will give them hope going forward.
As Amorim settles into his new role, the team’s defensive frailties will have to be addressed and their attacking output improved. With a talented squad at his disposal, there’s no doubt that United will see things around. However, they will have to be more consistent and clinical if they want to challenge for major honours this season.
