Amorim earns his first point in an uncovincing Manchester draw

Manchester United fans finally gotten what they were waiting for – Ruben Amorim‘s debut as their new coach. Even the Ipswich‘ coach Kieran McKenna (who was a candidate for Manchester‘s bench last season) called tonight‘s game as the ‘biggest game in world football anywhere this weekend‘ and he was right. The Portuguese coach was the sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson who took charge of the Red Devils and time will tell if he turns out to be the right one. For starters, he needs to work with this team, and work a lot. Ruud Van Nistelrooy left the club (for the second time) with a score of three wins and one draw as an interim manager and Ruben Amorim took over and scored only a point against a relegation-battling side: Ipswich – Manchester United 1-1.

Nistelrooy left him a winning team and Amorim had time to work with the squad, but they looked ordinary against a team with only one win in the Premier League. To be fair, if it wasn‘t for Andre Onana, the Portuguese coach would be on the loosing side, but the Cameroonian keeper made two great saves and denied former City‘s striker Delap. On a positive note, United continued their streak of five games without a defeat since sacking Ten Hag. But after scoring rather luckily after only 90 seconds, they allowed the equalizer in the closing minutes of the first half. And this was their firth goal in the last 15 minutes of the first half. Only Ipswich Town (6) and Southampton (6) have conceded more in the Premier League this season, so Amorim needs to fix that as soon as possible.

Remember when United had only ONE touch in the opposition box in the first half against Liverpool in 2023? Well, with Amorim at Ipswich they only had four (the second worst). Rashford led the attack, but even when both Zirkzee and Hojlund came in, things didn‘t look good. After a great start and an early lead, they didn‘t take advantage but they got progressively worse as the game wore on. United have defended deep and have invited pressure from an aggressive Ipswich frontline. Amorim cannot play a high-pressing game like he did in Sporting, but he did changed the formation, and played 3-4-3, with Diallo playing as a wing back, and the Ivorian was good.

There hardly could have been a better start for any rookie coach, yet alone Manchester United‘s one as Ruben Amorim had against Ipswich. After only 90 seconds, his new team was up 1-0. Young Amad did all the ‘dirty work‘ down the right flank before passing the ball into the penalty area, where Marcus Rashford made no mistake and scored with a simple tap in. At this point, even the most skeptical United fans started dreaming about a convincing win but soon Ipswich turned the game on their side. Szmodics took a shot in the ninth minute, but Onana made one of his important saves tonight. The next one was a fantastic one, as he stretched his body like an octopus and saved Delap‘s shot from close range. It was a the best chance in the entire match, but Cameroon‘s keeper saved that miraculously. But just three minutes before the half-time Ipswich were awarded for their good display. Hutchinson curled from range past Onana into the far top corner, but it was Mazrouai who touched the ball with his head, unintentionally helping Hutchinson to score. It was interesting to point out that from 37th until 45th minute VAR was not in function, due to a fire alarm at Stockley Park. Luckily for both teams, there were no controversies during that period.

The second half started with a save from home team‘s keeper Murić, after a shot by Garnacho. But after that it was Ipswich again, and the identical thing happened – Delap had a fantastic chance, but Onana was there again to save his team. The game then went into a boring phase with no serious chances. Amorim decided to put both of his strikers (Hojlund, Zirkzee) into the game in the last 20 minutes, but they did nothing special. Bruno Fernandes had the best opportunity for his team in the 78th minute, but his free kick ended just a meter from the right post and that was it.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 12

Saturday

Leicester City - Cheslea 1-2 (0-1)

/Ayew 90+4 pen - Jackson 15, Fernandez 75/

Arsenal - Nott.Forest 3-0 (1-0)

/Saka 15, Partey 52, Nwaneri 86/

Aston Villa - Crystal Palace 2-2 (1-2)

/Watkins 36, Barkley 77 - Sarr 4, Devenny 45+1/

Bournemouth - Brighton 1-2 (0-1)

/Brooks 90+3 - Joao Pedro 4, Mitoma 49/

Everton - Brentford 0-0

Fulham - Wolverhampton 1-4 (1-1)

/Iwobi 20 - Cunha 31, 87, Gomes 53, Guedes 90+5/

Man.City - Tottenham 0-4 (0-2)

/Maddison 13, 20, Porro 53, Johnson 90+3/

Sunday

Southampton - Liverpool 2-3 (1-1)

/Armstrong 42, Fernandes 56 - Salah 65, 83(p), Szoboszlai 30/

Ipswich - Man.Utd. 1-1(1-1)

/Hutchinson 43 - Rashford 2/

Monday

22:00: (1.52) Newcastle (4.20) West Ham (6.25)

***odds are subject to change***