Manchester United vs Ipswich
United storm back to thrash Ipswich
Bruno Fernandes shines with a hat-trick as Manchester United overturn an early deficit.
Ipswich took an early lead through L. Davis, but Manchester United responded emphatically after the break. Bruno Fernandes was the star of the show, scoring twice from open play and once from the penalty spot, while B. Mbeumo added another for United. Despite a late goal from C. Akpom, United's dominance was clear in this 5-2 victory, a result that matched Fipster's low-confidence prediction of a home win.
Outcome probability
The new football season kicks off with a tantalising clash between Manchester United, known as the Red Devils, and Ipswich. Both sides are eager to make a strong start, with United looking to assert their Premier League credentials and Ipswich aiming to prove their mettle after promotion.
Key facts
- 1.Manchester United finished 3rd in the Premier League last season with 71 points from 38 games.
- 2.Ipswich secured promotion by finishing 2nd in the Championship with 84 points from 46 games.
- 3.Ipswich have a superior goal difference of +14 compared to Manchester United last season.
- 4.Ipswich have bolstered their squad with the signings of D. Maeda, K. Scherpen, and Florentino.
- 5.Manchester United have parted ways with Casemiro, who left on a free transfer.
- 6.The predicted full-time scoreline is 2-1 in favour of Manchester United.
- 7.The draw probability is significant at 30%, with 1-1 being the most likely draw scoreline.
The context
This fixture marks the first competitive meeting of the season for both teams. Manchester United finished third in the Premier League last term, while Ipswich earned promotion by finishing second in the Championship. Ipswich have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of D. Maeda, K. Scherpen, and Florentino, while Manchester United have parted ways with Casemiro, who left on a free transfer.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Manchester United
Away — Ipswich
No standout best passers flagged for Ipswich
Analysis
Despite Ipswich's impressive goal difference last season and their solid recruitment, the Red Devils' experience at the higher level gives them a slight edge. The predicted 2-1 scoreline reflects a closely contested match, with Ipswich expected to challenge but ultimately fall just short. The draw remains a significant possibility, but the balance tips in favour of a home win.
Prediction
We anticipate Manchester United to clinch a 2-1 victory in this opener. The Red Devils' quality and Premier League experience should see them through a tight encounter against a spirited Ipswich side.
The verdict
As the season gets underway, this match promises excitement and competitive spirit. Manchester United's narrow win could set the tone for their campaign, while Ipswich will look to build on this experience moving forward.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Davis
Assist: Fatawu
Lukić
Yellow Card
Fatawu
Yellow Card
Bruno Fernandes
Assist: Matheus Cunha
Emersonn
Greaves (OG)
Greaves
Yellow Card
Bruno Fernandes
Penalty
Núñez
Bruno Fernandes
Lukić
Maeda
Shaw
Diogo Dalot
Matheus Cunha
Mainoo
Rashford
Mbeumo
Assist: Bruno Fernandes
Fatawu
Akpom
Assist: Enciso
Mbeumo
Yellow Card
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Manchester City | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| 9 |  Arsenal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 10 |  Manchester United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 11 |  Sunderland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 |  Ipswich | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 13 |  Liverpool | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Match Statistics
Manchester United
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1S. LammensG
- 2Diogo DalotD
- 5H. MaguireD
- 6Lisandro MartínezD
- 8Bruno FernandesM
- 9M. RashfordM
- 10Matheus CunhaF
- 18Y. TielemansM
- 19B. MbeumoM
- 23L. ShawD
- 37K. MainooM
Substitutes
- 3N. MazraouiD
- 11J. ZirkzeeF
- 12K. DarlowG
- 13P. DorguD
- 15L. YoroD
- 17Andrey SantosM
- 26A. HeavenD
- 30B. ŠeškoF
- 31S. LaceyF
Ipswich
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 3L. DavisD
- 6I. DiopD
- 7A. FatawuM
- 10J. EncisoM
- 19EmersonnF
- 23S. LukićM
- 24J. GreavesD
- 26D. O'SheaD
- 32M. NúñezM
- 37K. ScherpenG
- 38D. MaedaM
Substitutes
- 2D. FurlongD
- 4C. KipréD
- 8S. EgeliF
- 20K. McAteerM
- 25E. PalaciosM
- 28C. WaltonG
- 29C. AkpomF
- 42A. OuattaraD
- 47J. ClarkeF
Manchester United
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Fernandes(C) | M | 99 | 10.0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2/3 |
| Bryan Mbeumo | M | 99 | 8.0 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0/1 |
| Kobbie Mainoo | M | 80 | 7.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 4/5 |
| Youri Tielemans | M | 99 | 7.9 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1/1 |
| Senne Lammens | G | 99 | 7.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Luke Shaw | D | 73 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Matheus Cunha | F | 80 | 7.0 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0/2 |
| Diogo Dalot | D | 74 | 6.9 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1/1 |
| Marcus Rashford | M | 80 | 6.9 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2/3 |
| Harry Maguire | D | 99 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Lisandro Martínez | D | 99 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Joshua Zirkzee | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shea Lacey | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ayden Heaven | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Karl Darlow | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Patrick Dorgu | D | 19 | 7.0 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1/1 |
| Andrey Santos | M | 19 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Benjamin Šeško | F | 19 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Leny Yoro | D | 25 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Noussair Mazraoui | D | 26 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Ipswich
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kjell Scherpen | G | 99 | 8.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Issa Diop | D | 99 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/2 |
| Julio Enciso | M | 99 | 7.0 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2/4 |
| Saša Lukić | M | 73 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Abdul Fatawu Issahaku | M | 83 | 6.5 | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 3/9 |
| Leif Davis | D | 99 | 6.3 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0/1 |
| Emersonn | F | 45 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Daizen Maeda | M | 73 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Marcelino Núñez | M | 62 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jacob Greaves | D | 99 | 4.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dara O'Shea(C) | D | 99 | 4.9 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 0/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Sindre Walle Egeli | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jack Clarke | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cédric Kipré | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Christian Walton | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chuba Akpom | F | 54 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Exequiel Palacios | M | 37 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Kasey McAteer | M | 16 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Abdoul Ouattara | D | 26 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Darnell Furlong | D | 26 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |