Summary:
- Manchester United’s first game under Ruben Amorim ended in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.
- United conceded the equalizer before halftime, reflecting a challenging start for Amorim’s tenure.
- His players struggled to maintain dominance, covering just 102km, their second-lowest distance of the season.
In Ruben Amorim’s first match as Manchester United head coach, his team had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
“We Are Going to Suffer for a Long Period”
United had a lightning start, scoring just two minutes in when Marcus Rashford tapped in the opening goal, setting a promising tone for Amorim’s debut.
However, Ipswich gave a strong response, quickly gaining control of the game before Omari Hutchinson found the net, with a bit of luck from a deflection off Noussair Mazraoui, leveling the score before halftime.
Andre Onana played a crucial role for United, making vital saves to deny both Liam Delap and Conor Chaplin as Ipswich applied pressure.
Reflecting on the match, Amorim acknowledged the challenges ahead:
I know it’s frustrating for the fans but we are changing so much in this moment, with a lot of games.
The 39-year-old added
We are going to suffer for a long period and try to win games, this will take time. We could win [vs Ipswich] but we could also lose if not for Onana.
“It’s a Tough League”
Amorim was candid about the difficulties his players faced adapting to his style after only two days of training.
He emphasized how much improvement was needed to handle the demands of the Premier League:
It’s a tough league, you learn that in the first moment, My players were thinking too much in the game, you can feel it. Not just on the ball but where they are supposed to be.
Ipswich took advantage of United’s lack of cohesion, particularly in the first half, exposing gaps in the defense.
“If you see the first half, you can see that they are a little bit afraid”, said Amorim, highlighting positioning issues.
“We had two days so they are confused a little bit.” He pointed out the need to get familiar with the players’ strengths, praising Alejandro Garnacho for his ability to find space and Bruno
Fernandes for his vision, though he warned that understanding individual talents will take time.
United Covered 102Km
United covered only 102 km during the match, which was their second-lowest distance of the season.
Amorim acknowledged the physical challenges:
We have to look at the data, understand the data and look at that. We have to be so much better physically to cope with the high pressure.
Former United captain Roy Keane offered a blunt assessment, criticizing the squad’s lack of quality and confidence.
We saw the shape of the team but it is the same players and the same problems, Ipswich looked the better team. It’s his first game… but ultimately he will be disappointed.
Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp warned Amorim not to be deceived by fleeting moments of quality from the current squad.
The players that have let you down over the past year or so haven’t suddenly become great players because Amorim has walked into the club.
United is looking ahead at a busy schedule, with a Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt next, followed by crucial Premier League fixtures against Everton, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest.
December will be a critical month, including challenging matches with Man City and Tottenham in both the league and the Carabao Cup.