Bruno Fernandes created three Manchester United goals as they overcame a calamitous first half to defeat Ipswich Town with 10 men and eased fears of being drawn into a relegation fight.
In a madcap first half, Ipswich took the lead after only four minutes when Jaden Philogene took advantage of an awful mix-up between Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana to tap the ball into an empty net.
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United came back to take the lead when Bruno Fernandes’ cross was headed into his own goal by Sam Morsy before Matthijs de Ligt scrambled in a second. United ended the half level and down to 10 men after Dorgu was sent off for a high challenge and Philogene’s cross drifted past Onana.
That goal meant United have not been ahead at half-time in their past 20 games in all competitions, but Harry Maguire headed in another Fernandes cross two minutes after the restart to re-establish United’s lead.
Despite being a man down, Ruben Amorim’s side were relatively comfortable in the second half as a noisy Old Trafford crowd enjoyed a win that increased the gap between the two teams to 16 points.
Here, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell explains the game’s key talking points.
What was Dorgu (and Onana) doing?
After the abysmal start at Goodison Park, Amorim will have been desperate for a measured opening to this match. But inside four minutes, more catastrophe befell his team.
Whether the blame lies with Andre Onana or Patrick Dorgu for teeing up Jaden Philogene with the easiest goal of his life depends on your perspective. What is clear is there was an almighty miscommunication and another embarrassing concession four days on from Amorim saying his team had given away “soft” goals.
Sam Morsy’s long ball was nothing more than hopeful and as it fell to the ground, there appeared to be calm between Dorgu, who was shepherding the ball towards the box ahead of Philogene — and Onana, who had moved off his line.
Yet Onana then sprinted towards the ball, unforeseen by Dorgu, who prodded it back to where he thought his goalkeeper was. All that did was set up Philogene for a tap-in.
Soon after, Dorgu headed a high ball into touch rather than back to Onana, who was deeper in his goal — the scars of the previous episode still clear.
Dorgu actually recovered quite well initially, putting two first-time crosses into the six-yard box in search of Rasmus Hojlund and testing Alex Palmer with a hard low shot when picking up a loose ball. His redemption arc looked to be complete when he stole the ball off Philogene and then burst past Omari Hutchinson to draw a foul and gain some muddy shorts.
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Perhaps that incident was in his mind a short time later when he went in forcefully on Hutchinson by the touchline. Referee Darren England judged it a hard but fair tackle, but he was called to the monitor by VAR Craig Pawson. Dorgu had touched the ball, but his studs smacked into Hutchinson’s shin with force and the red card was inevitable.
Dorgu was applauded as he made his way down the tunnel, the 20-year-old sent off on his first Premier League start at Old Trafford. His absence for the next three games through suspension will have an impact.
Onana’s form is becoming a concern, with his positioning again questionable for Ipswich’s second. Philogene swung in a cross from the right and, while Liam Delap’s presence was confusing, Onana backed into his goal and was helpless to stop the ball drifting in at the far post. It was another occasion of United being breached easily.
How vital are Fernandes’ set pieces?
Amorim has consistently spoken of the importance of set pieces — indeed his team practise them in warm-ups ahead of games, with coaches acting as opposition defenders. But in United’s hour of need, they are proving invaluable. More specifically, Bruno Fernandes’ set pieces are proving invaluable.
Fernandes from a dead ball has been the source of United’s last six goals in all competitions, beginning with the added-time winner over Leicester City in the FA Cup. That ball into the box from deep, converted by Maguire, saw United through to the next round — with the assistance of a lenient assistant referee — and then, after blanking at Tottenham Hotspur, both goals at Everton originated from the boot of Fernandes.
He struck in direct past Jordan Pickford from 20 yards, then chipped a free kick into the box from which Manuel Ugarte shot home.
It was from a similar area against Ipswich that Fernandes curled the ball into a dangerous area, with Morsy inadvertently bundling in under pressure from Hojlund. Fernandes then sent over the corner that saw Palmer save from Maguire and then Diogo Dalot, only for De Ligt to prod in at the third time of asking.
Maguire heads in thanks to another Fernandes set piece (James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)
Fernandes made his most vital contribution after the break, with Ipswich having levelled at 2-2 and United down to 10 men. In those circumstances, good deliveries become even more vital and Fernandes took his opportunity at a corner, arcing the ball so it met Maguire’s run perfectly and the centre-back did the rest. From the current captain to the former captain, it was a goal celebrated warmly at Old Trafford.
It may not be pretty football, but with United grasping on for some semblance of stability, they have turned to a style adopted by many teams who have fought relegation in the past.
How did Amorim manage playing with 10 men?
For the third time since taking charge, Amorim faced the prospect of competing in a vital contest with 10 men for more than 45 minutes. At Wolves, his team crumbled with Fernandes off the pitch. At Arsenal in the FA Cup, United conceded quickly after Dalot’s red card but gathered themselves and held on for a draw that led to shootout success.
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In that tie, Amorim made his first substitution 20 minutes after Dalot was sent off, then brought legs on for extra time. Against Ipswich, Amorim made an instant change, sacrificing Alejandro Garnacho for Noussair Mazraoui so his back five could be maintained.
He went 5-3-1 — the same as at the Emirates — and though Ipswich equalised soon after, United rallied at the start of the second half to take the lead again. It was the second time Maguire had scored an important goal with his team down a man, having equalised away in Porto in the Europa League after Fernandes had been sent off.
Garnacho’s removal was a surprise given his energy and counter-attacking ability and the Argentinian could not hide his disappointment, walking straight down the tunnel to get changed amid the rain.
At the break, United fans chanted “attack, attack, attack” as the players went off, but it was always going to be a case of consolidation, aided by Joshua Zirkzee’s close control. It did need United’s centre-backs to push on at times and Leny Yoro’s aggression created a good chance. He turned smartly and then pulled back to Hojlund, who stepped over the ball rather than shot.
Amorim replaced Hojlund with Casemiro for more security soon after, and with Fernandes looking shattered, the Brazilian covered useful ground. Ugarte also stepped up, revving up the crowd at one point after carrying the ball away at a free kick and winning a throw-in.
A win over Ipswich was the minimum, but given the circumstances, it will be warmly received.
What did Ruben Amorim say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for United?
Sunday, March 2: Fulham (H), FA Cup fifth round, 4.30pm GMT, 11.30am ET
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(Top photo: Getty Images)
