Manchester United's Jonny Evans battles for the ball with Ipswich Town's Omari Hutchinson. — Reuters
Ruben Amorim faced a harsh reality check in his first match as Manchester United manager, as his underwhelming team was held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Ipswich on Sunday. The former Sporting Lisbon coach, who is the latest in a line of managers tasked with restoring the club to English football's summit, had emphasized the need for patience before the game. However, he had barely settled into his seat at a windy Portman Road when Marcus Rashford converted Amad Diallo's inviting cross, silencing the home crowd. Ipswich, who began the day in the relegation zone, fought back and deservedly equalized through Omari Hutchinson just before halftime. Neither team could secure a winner in the second half, leaving both managers dissatisfied. United are currently 12th in the Premier League, six points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal, while Ipswich remain in the drop zone. Amorim, who was highly animated on the touchline, suggested that his players overthought during the match against Kieran McKenna's side. "I think my players were thinking too much," he told Sky Sports. "We lost some balls without pressure. But they really, really tried and they want this." He added, "This week I spoke more (to the media) than I did in four years at Sporting. I just want to work with my players. Nothing more." Before kick-off, two United fans displayed a homemade sign that read: "Good luck Ruben Amorim, Make our team great again." The Portuguese manager, who replaced the dismissed Erik ten Hag, made three changes to the lineup named by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy before the international break. He also switched to a three-at-the-back formation as anticipated, with England forward Rashford operating as a lone central striker ahead of captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho. United took the lead within two minutes when Diallo charged down the right, evading Leif Davis and Jens Cajuste to deliver a cross that Rashford tapped in from close range. Amorim, dressed in a black coat and dark trousers, remained composed in his seat as United's players celebrated. Christian Eriksen missed a chance from just outside the box in the seventh minute after more incisive play from Diallo. Ipswich responded positively, creating their own chances and looking more threatening as the half progressed. The home side should have equalized in the 40th minute, but Andre Onana made a strong save to deny Liam Delap before Cajuste's effort went over the bar. Ipswich finally equalized just before halftime when Hutchinson's powerful shot deflected off Noussair Mazraoui and past the diving Onana. Ed Sheeran, a lifelong Ipswich fan, celebrated enthusiastically among the 30,000-strong crowd. Garnacho had a chance to restore United's lead at the start of the second half, but Arijanet Muric made a good save. Onana also saved well with his foot from a close-range flick by Delap, and Cajuste made a timely challenge to intercept a Garnacho pass to Rashford. Amorim made substitutions, bringing on Luke Shaw and Manuel Ugarte for Jonny Evans and Casemiro about 10 minutes into the second half, but United struggled against a team with only one Premier League win all season. He later introduced forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee to bolster his attack. Fernandes' free-kick went just wide, and Onana saved from Conor Chaplin, but neither side could find the decisive quality to secure the win. Amorim is United's sixth permanent appointment since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, which followed the team's 20th English title win. At 39, he is the youngest United manager since Wilf McGuinness succeeded Matt Busby in 1969.
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