Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United came from behind to beat Ipswich 5-2 at Old Trafford and pick up their first win of the season.
It looked like being a difficult afternoon for Michael Carrick’s team early on. Julio Enciso and Daizen Maeda both forced smart stops from Senne Lammens before Abdul Fatawu skinned Luke Shaw and fed Leif Davis to side-foot the opener high into the United net.
Old Trafford was edgy at that point, with United having lost to Hull on the opening weekend. But the game turned when Marcelino Nunez slipped over. Matheus Cunha robbed the Chilean midfielder and found Fernandes, who slammed the ball home with his left foot.
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Bruno Fernandes makes it 4-1 to Manchester United against Ipswich – scoring a hat-trick
Bryan Mbeumo should have completed the turnaround early in the second half only to strike the bar from close range, but United did not have to wait long. Their second was not without controversy, however, as Harry Maguire escaped punishment for a handball.
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Jacob Greaves scored an own goal but should it have stood after this handball?
Had his shot gone straight into the net then it would have been disallowed but because the attempt was diverted in by Jacob Greaves, it was allowed to stand. Moments later, United took the game away from Ipswich as Greaves’ unfortunate afternoon continued.
The defender brought down Cunha when he was through on goal, and Fernandes, who had missed twice from the spot during pre-season, converted the penalty. It was party time thereafter, with Fernandes completing his hat-trick by slotting home in the 68th minute.
The skipper was not done. A wedged pass in behind found Mbeumo, who lobbed the goalkeeper to make it five. As the rain came down, Ipswich did pull one back in stoppage time through substitute Chuba Akpom but it was far too little and far too late.
With academy graduates Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford back in the starting line-up – in Rashford’s case, for the first time since 2024 – there was a real mood of optimism inside the stadium at the end. Not perfect. But Manchester United’s firepower is clear.
The key moments from Old Trafford
29 – GOAL! Fatawu skins Shaw and Davis finishes high into the net
40 – GOAL! Nunez slips and Cunha feeds Fernandes to equalise
52 – BAR! Mbeumo volleys against the bar from close range
56 – GOAL! Maguire’s shot is deflected into his own net by Greaves
61 – GOAL! Fernandes converts a penalty after Cunha is fouled
68 – GOAL! Fernandes slots home to complete his hat-trick
82 – GOAL! Fernandes puts Mbeumo through to lob the keeper
90+1 – GOAL! Consolation as Martinez is robbed and Akpom scores
What do IFAB say on the handball?
It is an offence if a player scores in the opponents’ goal:
- Directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper
- Immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental
Following an accidental handball by the attacker:
- If the ball is clearly moving wide of the goal but is touched/played by a defending player and a clear own goal occurs, the goal should be awarded.
Fernandes stars again for Man Utd
“Without a shadow of a doubt, United’s best signing in the post-Ferguson era,” said Gary Neville on co-commentary for Sky Sports. No need for the caveat, really. This is one of the great Manchester United signings and one of the great Manchester United players.
There has been a bit of chatter about Bruno Fernandes recently given that he cleaned up with the awards for last season, adding the PFA prize to his FWA award. But this performance was a timely reminder that there is no better player in the Premier League.
Three goals and an assist when United needed him. And they do always seem to need him. It is the mentality as well as the magic in his boots. Amusingly, he was furious with himself in the 89th minute when an outside-of-the-boot cross failed to beat the first man.
Had Fernandes scored with one outrageous attempt from inside the centre-circle before that, then it really would have been a truly great display to remember. As it is, he had to settle for merely being the match-winner yet again. United’s talisman.
What the result means and next fixtures…
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