Man United Secure First Win of the Season with 5-2 Victory over Ipswich

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick and assisted a goal to help Man United win their first Premier League game of this season.

Ipswich started confidently where it was an open game with lots of chances and deservedly went ahead before Fernandes changed the direction of the contest.

Ipswich Punish United’s Difficult Start

Gary O’Neil’s visitors showed little hesitation in attacking United during the opening stages. Julio Enciso and Daizen Maeda both tested Senne Lammens as Ipswich found space against a home defence that struggled to settle.

Their attacking efforts were rewarded in the 29th minute when Abdul Fatawu beat Luke Shaw before finding Davis, whose great finish gave Ipswich a 1-0 advantage.

The goal increased the pressure around Old Trafford following United’s opening-day defeat to Hull, but Carrick’s team gradually began controlling the game and gradually got better.

A mistake from Marcelino Núñez provided the breakthrough United needed five minutes before half-time. The midfielder lost his footing, allowing Matheus Cunha to win possession and assist Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder finished powerfully with his left foot to bring United level.

United Take Control After Half-Time

United began the second half more aggressively and started creating chances.

Mbeumo almost completed the turnaround when he struck the crossbar from close range in the 52nd minute, but the hosts were ahead four minutes later in unusual circumstances.

Harry Maguire’s attempt was diverted into the Ipswich net by Greaves for an own goal. The incident was reviewed because the ball had made contact with Maguire’s arm during the move, but the goal was allowed.

Under the handball interpretation applied to the incident, an accidental handball immediately before a player scores himself would result in the goal being disallowed. In this case, however, Maguire was not the goalscorer and the ball was subsequently diverted into the net by Greaves, meaning the own goal stood following the review.

The afternoon became even more difficult for Greaves moments later when he brought down Cunha as the United forward advanced towards goal.

Fernandes scored a penalty to give United a 3-1 advantage.

Fernandes Completes First Man United Hat-Trick

Fernandes scored three goals in 68th minutes, and was so close to scoring a fourth goal right after with a close attempt from the center of the pitch.

It was Fernandes’ first Premier League hat-trick in five years . Fernandes, who entered the new season after being named both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year for his performances in 2025/26. www.thepfa.com

After his hat-trick Fernandes later created United’s fifth goal with a great assist for Mbeumo which allowed him to lift his finish over the goalkeeper in the 82nd minute.

Ipswich continued competing despite the deficit and Akpom scored in stoppage time, but the outcome had already been decided.

Fernandes finished the afternoon with three goals and an assist, directly contributing to four of United’s five goals.

Fernandes Continues Last Season’s Form 

Fernandes assisted 21 times last season, where he set a new record, while also scoring 9 league goals as Man United finished third and qualified for the Champions League. His performances earned him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, making him the second Portuguese player after Cristiano Ronaldo to receive the honour according to Opta.

His hat-trick against Ipswich suggested there has been little reduction in his influence at the beginning of the new season.

Fernandes’ importance to United is not limited to his finishing. His movement between midfield and attack, ability to create chances and willingness to assume responsibility in decisive moments remain central to Carrick’s attacking structure.

United’s attacking numbers underlined the difference from their disappointing opening weekend. Carrick’s side registered 33 shots against Ipswich, their highest total in a Premier League match since 2016.

There were still defensive concerns. Ipswich created opportunities early in the contest, while Akpom’s stoppage-time goal prevented United from finishing with a clean second half.

For Carrick, however, the immediate priority was securing a response after the defeat at Hull. United achieved that convincingly, collecting their first three points of the campaign while demonstrating the attacking options available to their manager.

Most importantly, Fernandes once again provided the difference. After a season in which he collected the Premier League’s major individual honours, the United captain has begun the new campaign by reminding Old Trafford of his capacity to determine matches almost single-handedly.