Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich Town Player Ratings: Heroic Harry Maguire’s winner seals 3 points for Manchester United

A 10-man Manchester United won 3-2 against a sorry Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. In an eventful first half littered with mistakes, there were four goals and a red card as both teams were inseparable at the break. Patrick Dorgu was at the front and centre as he presented Ipswich with their first goal and was sent off late in the half leading to Ipswich’s equaliser after United came from behind. Maguire gave United the lead again from a Bruno Fernandes corner. The 10-men Red Devils held onto their lead to pick up three precious points at home.

Manchester United once again lineup in their much-maligned 3-4-3 under Amorim after the 2-2 draw against Everton. Leny Yoro came into the lineup as Noussair Mazraoui dropped to the bench. Bruno Fernandes started deep in the midfield as Alejandro Garnacho started in attack. The ever-impressive Liam Delap led Ipswich from the front. Behind him were the potent attacking trio of Jaden Philogene, Omari Hutchinson and Jack Clarke. Sam Morsy joined Jens Cajuste in the centre of the park as Axel Tuanzebe returned to face his former side.

Continuing their disappointing home season, United started the game on the back foot as Ipswich dominated the early exchanges. A simple ball over the top created the opening for Ipswich in the fourth minute as Patrick Dorgu was in a generous mood.

The Danish international failed to communicate with his goalkeeper Andre Onana as he played the back pass past an onrushing Onana. The was laid on a plate for a chasing Jaden Philogene to accept an early Christmas present and walked the ball into an empty net to open the scoring for the visitors.

It was as bad as starts could get for the hosts but they tried to hit back as Harry Maguire almost scored from a corner if not for a wonderful save from Alex Palmer. Ipswich continued to attack dangerously on the break. United then played sharp football looking to force the issue. Bruno Fernandes swung in a free kick in the 21st minute as Sam Morsy, unfortunately, headed the ball into his net under pressure to draw the game level. Manchester United turned things around as they added a second within 5 minutes of the first goal.

Diogo Dalot’s shot from Harry Maguire’s rebound was palmed away by Palmer and Matthijs de Ligt was on hand to tap home from close range to turn the game on its head. Ipswich were undone by yet another set piece as they defended their box poorly. Omari Hutchinson went down as Dorgu caught him in the 40th minute. It seemed innocuous at first but after a VAR check, the Danish international was shown a straight red card for catching him high over the shin.

It changed the momentum before the break as Ruben Amorim responded by bringing Noussair Mazraoui on for Garancho to defend better. They were punished immediately as Philogene’s shot came across and sailed into the back of the net in the first minute of added time as Ipswich drew level. It was yet another moment of defensive susceptibility from the United backline as they knew they were going to face a barrage of shots in the second half.

Manchester United tore up the script as Harry Maguire feasted on another great corner delivery from Bruno Fernandes to head them in front again in the 47th minute. It gave United certain breathing space in the second half. United were happy to play on the break and ceded the possession to Ipswich. The visitors’ lack of creativity was exposed as they struggled to create chances against a well-drilled 10-man opposition.

The changes began to take place as Ipswich’s substitute Jack Taylor came close to scoring for them from outside the box. Zirkzee was running dangerous counterattacks for the hosts. Philogene’s hattrick attempt was foiled by a good save from Onana who was diving at full stretch. United were enjoying every tackle and clearance as the crowd cheered them as they held onto the lead with minutes to go.

The Red Devils ran out as the deserved winners and cherish these three points. It takes them 14th in the table above Everton momentarily with 33 points. They turn their focus away from the Premier League to the FA Cup in a bid to retain their trophy and salvage this season. They host Fulham at Old Trafford on the weekend.

Ipswich failed to capitalize on Wolves’ defeat as a win could’ve cut the gap to safety to two points. They remain 18th and look devoid of any sort of creativity heading into the run-in. The Tractor Boys take on Nottingham Forest away from home in the FA Cup on the 3rd of March next.

Manchester United Player Ratings

GK – Andre Onana – 5/10

A nightmare of a start as he failed to communicate with Dorgu and rushed onto the long ball. Another awful error at Old Trafford on his resume. Couldn’t claim Philogene’s shot as it sneaked past him for the equalizer.

CB – Matthijs de Ligt – 6.5/10

Very alert in the box to score his second career goal for the Red Devils. Given the license to step out of defence and pursue the attackers aggressively. Involved in a wrestling contest with Delap as the ball sailed into the net.

CB – Harry Maguire – 8/10

The English international almost drew United level immediately with a fine header from close range. He made a crunching tackle to deny Delap on the break and defended the box like a warrior. Did score in the second half with a fantastic header.

CB – Leny Yoro – 6/10

Sat back alongside Maguire and asked to play the line-breaking passes to break down the opposition. Did his part in locking up Philogene in the second half.

RWB – Diogo Dalot – 7/10

Pushed forward offensively and fired the shot away which led to their second goal. Couldn’t get the block as Philogene got the shot away.

CM – Manuel Ugarte – 7/10

Looking sharp on the ball as well apart from his usual defensive bite in the middle of the park. Was very assured in the second half as well crunching into tackles.

CM – Bruno Fernandes – 7.5/10

Still affecting the game with his set pieces despite playing from a deeper position. Showing how well-rounded he is with his defensive awareness.

LWB – Patrick Dorgu – 4/10

A first error in Red for him as he presented a gift for Philogene by kicking it past Onana. Shook the mistake away and kept attacking with his head up. But he soon made a silly challenge on Hutchinson and caught him high on the shin leading to his early dismissal.

RF – Joshua Zirkzee- 7/10

It looked like he scored United’s equaliser but the ball evaded him then. Involved in good passages of play and got some shots away. Showed incredible work-rate when they were down to 10 and had the chance to lead the line late on.

CF – Rasmus Hojlund – 6/10

Put good pressure on Morsy for the set piece as he headed the ball into his net. Needs to offer a lot more with his back to goal.

LF – Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5/10

Made his way into the starting lineup and was denied twice by good tackles. He was reeling on the ground from them both and was expecting a penalty. Was unfairly hooked off as his side was reduced to 10.

Sub – Noussair Mazraoui- 6/10

Was thrown on suddenly as United needed a defender following Dorgu’s sending-off.

Sub – Casemiro- 6/10

He enjoyed a performance where he could tackle and clear without any further expectations.

Sub – Victor Lindelof- N/A

Sub – Christian Eriksen- N/A

Manager – Ruben Amorim – 7/10

Despite a disastrous start, his team did well to react. Dorgu’s sending off presented a new challenge and the manager solved it wonderfully. An extremely disciplined performance in the second half would raise the hopes of everyone around Old Trafford if they could keep up this level.

Ipswich Town Player Ratings

GK – Alex Palmer – 6.5/10

A terrific diving save to his left to deny Maguire early on. But pushed Dalot’s effort tamely into the path of de Ligt for United’s second goal.

RB – Axel Tuanzebe – 6.5/10

Stood firm and dealt with crosses coming his way as Zirkzee and Garnacho doubled up on him at times.

CB – Dara O’Shea – 5.5/10

Failed to assert his presence in the box as United made merry of the set pieces and scored a couple of times.

CB – Jacob Greaves – 5.5/10

Was slow to react to everything in the box as the game flew past him. Tried to play with the ball at his feet and drive at the opposition.

LB – Leif Davis – 6/10

Played a good through ball early in the first half and that was about it offensively from him. His team needed a lot more than that.

DM – Sam Morsy – 6/10

A poor first half in particular as he scored an own goal under pressure from Hojlund. Even got into a fight with him as things turned ugly later on.

DM – Jens Cajuste- 6/10

Shook off the injury concerns to start but was petrified in the game. Lost Harry Maguire easily for the third goal.

RW – Jaden Philogene – 8/10

Scored two of the easiest goals he ever could as he accepted a present from Dorgu. The second one was a hopeful cross that made it into the back of the net.

CAM – Omari Hutchinson – 6/10

Roamed throughout the pitch to create chances but lacked the incisive pass. Did succeed in sending Dorgu off as he was caught high on the shin.

LW – Jack Clarke – 5.5/10

Was very anonymous in the first half as Leif Davis enjoyed the freedom by dancing in. He had to attack the box instead of staying wide trying to stretch the pitch.

ST – Liam Delap – 6/10

Another impressive showing but he didn’t get the goal to show for it. Everyone thought he got the second goal but presence was enough to force it.

Sub -Jack Taylor- 6/10

Had a great chance to score from outside the box as tried to catch United napping but scuffed his shot.

Sub -Nathan Broadhead- 6/10

Sub -George Hirst- 6/10

Sub -Ben Johnson- 6/10

Sub – Sammie Szmodics- N/A

Manager – Kieran McKenna – 4/10

Will never get a better chance than this one to win in the league. His side had a man advantage going into the second half but conceded early on after some awful defending from a corner. Creatively, they had no answers when United retreated into their defensive shell.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Harry Maguire