Bruno Fernandes hat-trick inspires Manchester United comeback against Ipswich Town

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United recovered from an early setback to beat Ipswich Town 5-2 and get their Premier League season under way on Sunday.

The United captain levelled before half-time after Leif Davis had given the newly promoted visitors the lead, then converted a second-half penalty before completing his treble from close range. He also supplied the pass for Bryan Mbeumo to score United’s fifth.

The emphatic victory came eight days after Manchester United suffered a dismal 2-0 defeat by another newly promoted team, Hull. Fernandes said the win could not erase that result but welcomed the improvement after the interval.

“It’s not to make up for last week, you can’t get six points from it. But second half we were very good,” said Fernandes.

“Scoring goals is the best feeling in football.”

Marcus Rashford made his first Manchester United start in almost two years, while Kobbie Mainoo also returned to the starting line-up. Michael Carrick made four changes from the side that began the campaign with a poor performance against Hull.

Those alterations helped United look more effective in attack, although Fernandes once again proved the decisive figure in the final third. Carrick’s side continued to show vulnerability in defence, however, and Ipswich created several opportunities before the hosts took control.

Ipswich punish United before Fernandes responds

Senne Lammens was forced into a one-on-one save from Julio Enciso after the Ipswich forward broke clear from a Manchester United corner.

The visitors went ahead in the 29th minute when Abdul Fatawu raced past Luke Shaw on the wing and delivered a cross that Davis swept superbly into the top corner. Davis then missed the chance to add another goal, sending a weak effort straight at Lammens.

Manchester United equalised after Marcelino Nunez slipped and surrendered possession to Matheus Cunha. Cunha found Fernandes, who finished powerfully with his left foot.

Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil felt his team had been unfortunate to fall behind early in the second half. The ball struck Harry Maguire’s arm as he attempted a shot, but the effort was heading wide before deflecting into the net off Jacob Greaves.

The goal was allowed to stand because the ball had not gone directly into the goal from Maguire’s arm, meaning it was not judged to be a handball offence leading directly to a goal.

“Really unlucky to be 2-1 down, really unlucky – two of the most unlucky goals you will see,” said O’Neill. “But then not good enough to get back into it. We got punished by a very good side.”

Greaves was involved again shortly afterwards, bringing down Cunha as the Manchester United forward moved towards goal. Fernandes sent Kjell Scherpen the wrong way from the penalty spot to put his side further ahead.

The Portuguese international had collected 21 Premier League assists last season, earning a series of individual awards despite scoring only nine goals. His treble against Ipswich means he is already one-third of the way to matching that scoring total.

Fernandes completed his hat-trick when he reacted quickest to Mbeumo’s deflected effort and finished from close range. He then turned provider, lofting a pass over the Ipswich defence for Mbeumo to run on to and lift the ball over the advancing Scherpen.

Ipswich scored a late consolation in stoppage time after another Manchester United defensive error. Lisandro Martinez was dispossessed by Enciso, who set up Chuba Akpom for a simple finish into an unguarded net.

Fernandes waved to the Old Trafford crowd at the final whistle after a performance that gave Manchester United a much-needed response, while also leaving further questions over their defending.