Bruno Fernandes treble inspires Manchester United comeback win over Ipswich

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United recovered from conceding first to beat Ipswich Town 5-2 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

Leif Davis gave Ipswich the lead after 29 minutes with a superb first-time finish, but Fernandes equalised five minutes before half-time with a precise left-footed strike.

United moved ahead when Harry Maguire’s effort from just inside the 18-yard area took a major deflection off Dara O’Shea and was recorded as a Jacob Greaves own-goal in the 56th minute. Fernandes then converted a penalty before completing his treble with a close-range finish.

Bryan Mbeumo added a fifth with eight minutes remaining, chipping the advancing Kjell Scherpen after receiving an excellent looped pass from Fernandes. Ipswich’s Chuba Akpom pulled another goal back in injury time from close range.

The victory lifted Michael Carrick’s side to 10th in the league table with three points. Ipswich are 12th, also on three points, after beginning the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland.

United had started their season with a surprise 2-0 defeat by fellow promoted club Hull City at the MKM Stadium last weekend, so conceding first again would have caused concern among the home supporters. However, after Gary O’Neil’s team had impressed for much of the opening hour, United took control and finished as deserved winners.

Marcus Rashford had the first attempt of the match, although his long-range effort struck a defender and looped comfortably into Scherpen’s hands. Rashford then combined neatly with Matheus Cunha before the latter sent a rising effort over the target.

Ipswich’s first shot came from Daizen Maeda, whose run ended with a low-powered attempt that did not trouble Senne Lammens. At the other end, Diogo Dalot curled towards the top corner following a flowing United move involving both wingers, but Scherpen produced an excellent save.

Lammens was also called into action to deny Julio Enciso after an Ipswich break. Rashford almost reached Cunha’s low cross at the other end, while a free-kick from the United forward narrowly missed the goal before Fernandes struck the defensive wall with another set-piece.

Ipswich finally broke the deadlock when Abdul Fatawu drove forward and cut the ball back for Davis, who smashed his finish into the roof of the net.

United levelled after Marcelino Nunez lost possession in midfield. Cunha collected the loose ball and found Fernandes, who beat Scherpen with a composed finish. Ipswich appealed for a penalty when Youri Tielemans went down under a challenge from O’Shea, but the referee waved play on. Lisandro Martinez then shot just over from distance before the break.

Ipswich made the only half-time substitution, with Akpom replacing Emersonn. Enciso fired over soon after the restart, while Mbeumo thought he had put United ahead when he met a volleyed Rashford cross. The ball struck the striker’s knee, hit the face of the crossbar and was eventually cleared. Tielemans later sent a tame effort at Scherpen from the resulting corner.

United took the lead when Maguire’s shot deflected heavily off O’Shea. Ipswich players appealed for handball, but a brief VAR review confirmed the goal.

Cunha was then brought down by Greaves after Kobbie Mainoo played a fine through ball, allowing Fernandes to dispatch the penalty. Exequiel Palacios came on for Nunez after the goal to make his Premier League debut.

Scherpen kept out a fierce Rashford volley at his near post, but he could do nothing when Fernandes completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute. Mainoo and Mbeumo saw efforts blocked in the area before the ball fell kindly for Fernandes to finish with his right foot.

Fernandes almost scored a fourth from the centre circle, but his dipping attempt landed on the roof of the net.

Ipswich introduced Daniel Furlong and Abdoul Ouattara for Maeda and Sasa Lukic as they searched for a response. United made further changes, with Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro replacing Luke Shaw and Dalot.

Scherpen used his body to block Cunha after another strong United move involving Rashford. Rashford was applauded for tracking back to make a determined tackle inside his own penalty area, but that proved to be his final contribution as Patrick Dorgu replaced him. Benjamin Sesko came on for Cunha, while Andrew Santos took over from Mainoo.

Mbeumo’s chip then bounced in off the crossbar to make it 5-1, with Fernandes’ pass again providing the decisive moment. Ipswich reduced the deficit in stoppage time when a mistake by Martinez allowed Enciso to steal possession and send in a low cross for Akpom to convert.

United now travel to Everton next weekend, while Ipswich face a difficult home fixture against Liverpool.