Bruno Fernandes starred with a hat-trick (and almost scored from the halfway line) as Manchester United came from behind to hammer Ipswich 5-2 at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford starting his first United Premier League game since December 2024 was the talk beforehand, while Kobbie Mainoo also impressed in the midfield, but it was the Portuguese midfielder’s goals that made the difference.
Michael Carrick’s side had lost on the opening day to Hull City, promoted alongside Ipswich last season, and they went behind through a Leif Davis goal. Ipswich did well to pressurise United and create chances, but it was through Fernandes’ three goals, including a penalty, plus a controversial goal from Harry Maguire that sealed the three points.
Bryan Mbeumo made up for a miss from a few yards out to add a fifth late on. Chuba Akpom got a second for Ipswich.
There are still areas of concern, most notably at left-back, for Carrick, but this is the first time United had scored five goals in a Premier League game since August 2021 against Leeds, a match in which Fernandes also scored a hat-trick.
Chris McKenna, Tim Spiers and Graham Scott break down the talking points.
How good was Fernandes?
Priceless. There was a release clause — which has now expired — of £57m in Fernandes’ contract which could have been triggered by clubs from abroad earlier in the summer.
If anyone had triggered it and somehow convinced the club captain to leave, it would have been daylight robbery.
Fernandes picked up the PFA Player of the Year award earlier this week to add to his FWA and Premier League individual honours for his performances last season.
This was a display which will have United hoping he is on for another spectacular season.
(Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Fernandes was subdued in last week’s defeat by Hull City, but when United needed him here, he stood up and delivered a leader’s performance.
The opening goal was a gift after a mistake from Ipswich, but it was a fine finish from him to equalise.
Having missed two penalties in pre-season, there was maybe a bit of pressure on the second-half spot kick to make it 3-1, but he didn’t fall for the mind games from Ipswich keeper Scherpen and sent him the wrong way.
The third was a tidy finish to wrap up the hat-trick and the three points. He added a late assist with a sublime pass to Mbeumo for the fifth.
Chris McKenna
Why was Greaves own goal allowed after Maguire handball?
I understand why the visitors will feel aggrieved. The ball obviously strikes Maguire’s arm as it bounces up towards his chest and appears to be played against him at close range by Town’s Chuba Akpom.
His arms are in the position you would expect in the circumstances – raised to offer protection – and in line with his body. But the question is whether he scores ‘immediately’ because even an accidental handball should be penalised if so.
He takes two touches before shooting with his third, during which time Ipswich defenders have the chance to close him down. I’d say the goal should have stood even if Maguire’s shot had gone straight in, but in this case the goal was definitely valid because his effort was going wide before being deflected into his own net by Jacob Greaves.
The accidental handball rule only applies to the scorer, so United were in the clear.
#MUNIPS – 56’
The referee’s call of goal for Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Maguire was not the immediate goalscorer after an accidental handball.
VAR: “It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you…
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 30, 2026
Graham Scott
What was Rashford’s performance like?
There was a moment early in the first half when Rashford lost possession after trying some trickery, but he rushed back and slid in to win the ball back.
It brought a big roar from the home crowd. They want to see his attacking threat, but they also want to see that he is willing to run off the ball too and prove that he cares about playing for United again after previously making his intentions clear about joining Barcelona.
Rashford’s crossing was excellent throughout — the pick of the bunch a first-time ball when he stretched to meet Dalot’s cross-field pass. He was denied a brilliant assist as Bryan Mbeumo somehow diverted it onto the bar from little more than a yard out.
He also had some promising link-up play with Luke Shaw down the left and he came so close to a goal when his volley was pushed away brilliantly by Kjell Scherpen after he met a superb Diogo Dalot cross first time. A very good return to Old Trafford.
Chris McKenna
How did Mbeumo miss?
Bryan Mbeumo disconsolately and sheepishly looked down at his boots as he searched for a possible reason as to how he had just produced one of the worst misses of his career. Laces undone? Big toe sticking out?
Sadly there was no one to blame but himself — especially considering he’d used his knee to shoot — after Marcus Rashford had expertly steered a volley across the face of goal for Mbeumo to surely score from all of two yards out.
Rashford’s brilliant pass put the ball on a plate for Mbeumo, but he got his bearings all wrong, neither going with his head or his right foot, instead uncomfortably kneeing it against the bar with nothing but the goal net in front of him.
Fortunately for Mbeumo and United, it didn’t prove costly; the score was 1-1 at the time but three minutes later the hosts were in front.
However, the embarrassing moment will be played on ‘worst ever misses in football’ complications ad infinitum.
He did, however, at least partially make up for it with a late finish to make it 5-1.
Tim Spiers
Should Carrick be concerned by United defence?
There has been constant talk all summer about how United need to bring in another left-back to provide cover for Luke Shaw given the injury record of the England international.
But there is also an argument that it is time they brought in a player in the position to improve upon someone who has been at the club for over a decade.
Shaw was too easily beaten by Abdul Fatawu in the lead-up to Ipswich’s opening goal. First for strength and then for pace.
It wasn’t a goal which any United defender really covered themselves in glory and that’s now three conceded in two games against newly-promoted teams.
If United are building towards being a title-winning team one day then the back-line needs to be improved. The foundation of any title-winning side is the defence but at least it was another strong performance from goalkeeper Senne Lammens as without him they may have conceded more.
Chris McKenna
What did Carrick say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for United?
Sunday, September 6: Everton (Away), Premier League, 2pm UK, 8am ET
