Fernandes Hat-Trick Fires Man United To 5-2 Rout Of Ipswich

Bruno Fernandes struck three times as Manchester United recovered from an early setback to thrash Ipswich Town 5-2 and open their Premier League campaign with a convincing victory.

Ipswich made the brighter start and took the lead through Leif Davis, who produced a superb half-volley after Abdul Fatawu had beaten Luke Shaw on the wing.

But United responded quickly after an error by Marcelino Nunez allowed the hosts to break from a corner. Matheus Cunha supplied Fernandes, who made no mistake from close range to level the score.

The turnaround continued when Harry Maguire’s effort took a deflection off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves and ended up in the net for an own goal.

There was controversy surrounding the goal after the ball appeared to strike Maguire’s arm in the build-up. However, VAR ruled that the goal could stand because Maguire was not the player who ultimately scored.

Greaves’ difficult afternoon then worsened less than three minutes later when he brought down Cunha inside the area to concede a penalty.

Fernandes stepped up and confidently converted from the spot to put United 3-1 ahead.

The Portuguese captain completed his hat-trick after Kobbie Mainoo and Bryan Mbeumo saw their efforts blocked, with Fernandes reacting quickest to fire the rebound beyond the Ipswich goalkeeper.

The United skipper then turned provider, sending Mbeumo through with a superb ball over the top. The forward’s effort struck the crossbar before spinning over the line to make it 5-1.

Ipswich managed a late consolation through Chuba Akpom, who finished after Julio Enciso cut the ball back for the substitute.

The emphatic victory provided a much-needed response for Michael Carrick’s side, who had lost 2-0 to Hull City in their previous match.

United had been at risk of becoming only the fourth top-flight side to lose their opening two games of a season against newly promoted opposition.

They also faced the possibility of a more difficult afternoon after Ipswich created several early chances.

Senne Lammens was forced into action more than once, including a save from Enciso after the forward had carried the ball from halfway while holding off Mbeumo and Shaw.

Davis’ opener came after Fatawu had found space against Shaw, with the pair almost combining again moments later before Davis was denied by Lammens.

United’s equaliser, however, changed the complexion of the match.

Nunez, positioned around 65 yards from his own goal, slipped while attempting to deal with the ball, allowing United to launch a swift attack that ended with Fernandes finding the net.

Greaves then endured a nightmare spell, scoring the own goal before conceding the penalty within two minutes and 45 seconds.

Fernandes’ influence underlined why he was recently named the Professional Footballers’ Association men’s player of the year after recording a Premier League-best 21 assists last season.

The hat-trick was his third for United and took his tally for the club to 113 goals in 330 appearances.

He came close to adding another shortly after completing his treble when he attempted to beat goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen from near the halfway line, but his effort landed on the roof of the net.

United finished with 33 shots, their highest total in a Premier League match since they recorded the same number against Burnley in October 2016.

Mbeumo also struck the bar from close range after being presented with an open goal from Marcus Rashford’s delivery.

For Ipswich, the defeat marked a dramatic collapse after their impressive opening-day victory over Sunderland.

Gary O’Neil’s side failed to register a shot between the 49th minute and stoppage time as United took complete control of the contest.

The result ultimately shifted attention away from the controversy surrounding United’s second goal, with Fernandes’ individual brilliance and the scale of the comeback dominating the afternoon.

The victory also offered an early indication that, despite the changes under Carrick, Fernandes remains the central figure in United’s attack and the player capable of deciding big moments.