Manchester United beat Ipswich Town 3-2 on Wednesday, as the Red Devils scrapped to victory after having Patrick Dorgu sent off in the first half.
WATCH -– Full match replay
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich took an early lead through Jaden Philogene after a poor defensive mix-up but United turned the game on its head through a Sam Morsy own goal and Matthijs de Ligt finishing off a set-piece. But then Dorgu was sent off as VAR got involved after a hefty challenge on Omari Hutchinson, and Philogene’s cross flew in to make it 2-2 before half time.
MORE — Ruben Amorim’s reaction to win
Harry Maguire scored the winner early in the second half and United held on for a crucial victory as Bruno Fernandes’ fine set-piece deliveries made the difference.
With the victory United move on to 33 points, while Ipswich remain on 17 points and in the relegation zone.
Man United find calm in the chaos
It wasn’t pretty, at all, but United are finding calm in the chaos of being in tough situations. Just like they did to snatch a point when being 2-0 down at Everton at the weekend. That is the main positive for Amorim despite United remaining in the bottom half of the table. They ground out a win at home against a struggling team in the relegation zone, but it was more impressive than it sounded. After going behind early following a calamitous defensive mistake, United didn’t let their heads drop. They dug in, scored from two set pieces and got themselves ahead. But then disaster struck again as Dorgu was sent off as he slid in and caught Hutchinson high. Then Ipswich scored a lucky equalizer just before half time and United had been punched twice in the stomach just before the break. But they reacted superbly. Two experienced players in Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire stood tall with the former causing mayhem with his set-pieces and the latter heading home the eventual winner. It wasn’t great but United have shown they can keep their calm when things are going against them. They will hold them in good stead going forward.
Manchester United vs Ipswich Town player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Manchester United host Fulham in the FA Cup last 16 on Sunday, March 2. They then head to Real Sociedad in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday, March 6 before hosting Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, March 9. Ipswich travel to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last 16 on Monday, March 3 before they travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, March 8.
Manchester United vs Ipswich score: 3-2
Morsy OG 22', De Ligt 26', Maguire 47'; Philogene 4', 45+3'
Manchester United vs Ipswich live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Kicking off at Old Trafford
Delap has three nibbles at Ugarte and players from both teams are flying in. Mazraoui comes charging in and the referee books Delap and Mazraoui as it all calms down. Eventually.
It’s very tight and tense at Old Trafford
Ipswich aren’t really creating chances, but United’s fans know they will arriver sooner rather than later. 15 minutes plus stoppage time to go. United are sitting back and soaking up pressure.
Maguire puts United back ahead! — Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich
Harry Maguire has put United ahead right at the start of the second half! Another set piece from Bruno and Maguire heads home. Exactly what Amorim would have wanted.
Half time: Manchester United 2-2 Ipswich Town
What a breathtaking that was! Ipswich were ahead, then United stormed back to lead. Then Dorgu was sent off and Ipswich equalized right on half time. All to play for in second half. United will be very nervous about an almighty upset now.
The Tractor Boys are level! — Manchester United 2-2 Ipswich
Right on half time Ipswich are level. Philogene whips in a cross and it misses everyone and creeps in. The away fans go bonkers. What a time to get an equalizer, just after United’s red card. The Tractor Boys have the momentum heading into half time.
VAR check for a red card against Dorgu... and he’s off!
United are down to 10 players. Hutchinson tries to flick the ball away but Dorgu arrives late and he catches him on the shin with his boot. That is an ugly challenge. United’s new left back is sent off and they have a mountain to climb for the rest of the game.
De Ligt finishes from close range — Manchester United 2-1 Ipswich
Oh wow! They’ve turned it around. A corner from the left is hreaded down by Maguire and a shot is pushed out by Palmer. But De Ligt is there and he fires home. United have scored twice in four minutes to turn the game on its head.
Morsy heads past his own goalkeeper — Manchester United 1-1 Ipswich
Fernandes whips in a free kick and Zirkzee just misses it but the ball flicks of Morsy and goes in. United are level. The relief is palpable around Old Trafford.
Maguire denied by Palmer
United whip in a corner and Maguire’s powerful header on goal is pushed away by Palmer. Dalot hooks the rebound over. Old Trafford is still stunned by that Ipswich opener.
Philogene opens the scoring! — Manchester United 0-1 Ipswich
Oh dear. What an awful mistake from Dorgu. A long ball over the top is easy to deal with. But United’s new signing makes a mess of it. He somehow plays it past the advancing Onana and Philogene is there to tap the ball home into an empty net. Ipswich’s fans in the away cannot believe this. Horror start for United.
Delap drags wide
With about 30 seconds on the clock Ipswich have a great opening. The ball is played out to the left and finds its way to Delap. He drags his shot wide. That is a great opening for the visitors. The cameras cut to Amorim who is hurriedly chugging a bottle of water. He doesn’t look calm.
Manchester United lineup
Onana; Yoro, Maguire, De Ligt; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Zirkzee, Garnacho; Hojlund
Ipswich lineup
Palmer; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Cajuste, Morsy; Philogene, Hutchinson, Clarke; Delap
Manchester United team news, focus
Due to their injuries and offloading Antony and Marcus Rashford in January, there aren’t many attacking options for Amorim to mix things up. Dorgu looks like a really solid signing and continues to shine at left wing-back. Bruno Fernandes could be much more influential when he was moved into a deeper role against Everton. Hojlund and Zirzkee look really short on confidence in attack.
OUT: Amad Diallo (ankle - out for season), Toby Collyer (knock), Mason Mount (thigh), Luke Shaw (foot), Jonny Evans (muscular), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL - MORE), Altay Bayindir (undisclosed), Kobbie Mainoo (other)
Ipswich Town team news, focus
Ipswich are dangerous on the counter with Delap and Hutchinson leading the charge but defensively they have tried so many different options and combinations throughout the season and have failed to find solidity. They are more than capable of winning this game but they’ll need to stay compact and hope their young stars up top deliver when a chance or two arrives.
OUT: Wes Burns (knee), Chiedozie Ogbene (achilles - out for season), Christian Walton (groin) Julio Enciso (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Kalvin Phillips (calf), Jens Cajuste (ankle), Conor Chaplin (knee),
Manchester United vs Ipswich Town prediction
United will take some heart from their comeback at Everton but they will still make hard work of this and probably end up coming back again and winning it late. Manchester United 2-1 Ipswich Town.
Manchester United vs Ipswich preview
Ruben Amorim watched on in horror for most of United’s game at Everton on Saturday as they were 2-0 down and well off the pace. But then their quality shone through late on as Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte scored to grab an unlikely point. United are still in a woeful state in the Premier League (just one win from their last five games) and their entire campaign hinges on winning the Europa League to get into the Champions League next season.
Ipswich are starting to lose belief in their scrap to stay up as they lost 4-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and have only picked up one point from their last six games. The Tractor Boys are five points from safety with 12 games to go and they knew this season would be tough. But Kieran McKenna’s side still have a chance of staying up and the former United assistant coach has pulled off some shock wins over Spurs and Chelsea so far this season.
How to watch Manchester United vs Ipswich Town live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Wednesday (February 26)
Venue: Old Trafford -- Manchester
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
