Town draw 1-1 with Manchester United in Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge
The packed stands at Portman Road today prior to the start of the Premier League clash between Ipswich Town and Manchester United. Photo: Russell Cook.
A stunning strike late in the first half by Omari Hutchinson earned Ipswich Town a point at Portman Road against Manchester United today in former Portuguese club Sporting CP Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge.
The visitors were ahead after just 80 seconds through Marcus Rashford but the Tractor Boys dominated much of the opening period and United can thank their Cameroon international goalkeeper Andre Onana who twice denied Liam Delap with stunning saves.
Hutchinson’s goal came in the 43rd minute after Town were dominating proceedings.
He received a pass from Wes Burns and produced a 25-yard left footed curling shot which flicked off Noussair Mazraoui’s head and over Onana for his first goal since joining Ipswich permanently in a £20m summer move.
Manchester’s goal was just the tonic for the new incoming manager who took over from Erik ten Hag.
It came after right wing back Ahmad Diallo flew past Jens Cajuste and Leif Davis before crossing for Rashford to beat Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
But Ipswich grew into the game and created by far the better chances, only to find Onana in outstanding form.
HIs first save was a stunner.
Davis was found out wide on the left by Cameron Burgess and played a perfect cross for Delap who only had the United goalkeeper to beat.
Onana didn’t just stop the shot. He also had enough power to push the ball away to safety rather than present Ipswich with a rebound.
His second-half save was just as important as Delap got to Wes Burns’ low cross first and flicked the ball towards goal with the back of his foot from two yards. But Onana denied the striker again.
The visitors did have opportunities along with a Bruno Fernandez free kick from just outside the penalty area that flew wide.
Alejandro Garnacho curled an effort narrowly wide and Diogo Dalot darted into the penalty area to meet Casemiro’s angled pass.
Ipswich carried the greater threat and had the better chances in front of 30,017 fans. They also worked tirelessly when the game hit a flat spot in the middle of the second half, denying United a second wind.
Together with Delap, Hutchison was a repeated threat to the visitors’ goal, exploiting gaps in front of the United defence.
A fortnight ago Ipswich won at Tottenham 4-1. With this result and today’s performance manager Kieran McKenna has every reason to believe his side can aim higher than mere safety this season, despite their present position third from bottom in the Premier League.