Manchester United have their first win of the season, but this was not the sort of performance that answers every question around Michael Carrick’s side.
The 5-2 scoreline looks convincing. Bruno Fernandes was outstanding, United found the net five times and Old Trafford finally had something to cheer about.
Still, Ipswich made them work for it.
The visitors went ahead in the 29th minute when Leif Davis finished from Abdul Fatawu’s cutback. United looked unsettled at that stage. Ipswich were finding room and getting at a defence that did not look entirely comfortable.
Fernandes changed the mood shortly before half-time.
Matheus Cunha won the ball and found the captain, who finished in the 40th minute to make it 1-1.
United came out after the break with more urgency.
Jacob Greaves turned the ball into his own net in the 56th minute to put United ahead. Fernandes then converted from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after Cunha was brought down.
Seven minutes later, the captain completed his hat-trick.
Bryan Mbeumo made it 5-1 in the 82nd minute, with Fernandes providing the assist, before Chuba Akpom pulled one back for Ipswich in the 91st minute.
Bruno was the difference
Fernandes deserves more than a mention for scoring three goals.
He was the star of the afternoon.
The captain did not just finish chances. He took responsibility when United were behind, kept asking for the ball and took control of the game once United found their rhythm.
Three goals, an assist and a constant threat in front of goal only tell part of the story. There was urgency to his play and plenty of personality.
It comes after an award-filled 2025/26 campaign in which Fernandes won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards. He also finished the campaign with a Premier League-record 21 assists.
Against Ipswich, he looked every bit the player those awards suggested.
This was his third hat-trick for Manchester United. His previous treble came against Leeds United in August 2021, when he scored three in United’s 5-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Mainoo gives United another positive
Kobbie Mainoo was another player who left a strong impression.
He was comfortable in possession, moved sharply and picked out accurate passes that opened up space for United in attack. Several of those passes turned promising situations into genuine openings.
There was hunger in his game too.
Mainoo missed out on England’s World Cup squad, and it is tempting to link that disappointment with the edge he is showing now. We cannot say for certain that one caused the other, but there was certainly more personality to his performance.
That is a good sign.
Now he has to show it regularly.
One strong game can get people talking. A run of them changes how a player is viewed.
Rashford, meanwhile, had a decent outing.
He looked lively from the left and was willing to run at Ipswich when the opportunity came. It was not a performance that settles every question about him, but it was encouraging enough to suggest there is still something for Carrick to work with.
United still have work to do
The five goals will naturally dominate the reaction, but the defensive side of the performance cannot be ignored.
Ipswich scored twice and had periods where they troubled United. The opening goal exposed the space United were leaving, while Lisandro Martinez’s mistake led directly to the second.
With United already 5-1 ahead, Martinez was caught in possession before Julio Enciso carried the ball into the area and found Akpom for the finish.
It was hardly a match-changing moment, but those lapses become much more dangerous against better opposition.
The goalkeepers also deserve some credit.
Senne Lammens made important saves while United were still trying to settle, while Kjell Scherpen kept Ipswich in the contest at different points despite conceding five.
So what does the result actually tell us?
United can attack. They can respond after going behind. Fernandes remains a major source of inspiration, while Mainoo has given Carrick another reason to trust him.
But there are still loose moments at the back.
That is what makes the next few games more interesting.
Ipswich were eventually beaten comfortably, but they also exposed areas United will need to protect against stronger opposition. Carrick will want the attacking freedom from the second half without the uncertainty that crept into the defensive work.
There is also the confidence that comes with finally getting three points.
United have now gone six meetings unbeaten against Ipswich, winning five and drawing one in that recent run. Ipswich have not beaten them in those six encounters.
That record will not win United their next game, though.
This victory gives Carrick something to build on. It does not give him all the answers.
For now, United are off the mark, Fernandes is flying and Mainoo has given supporters something to look forward to.
Whether this was the beginning of a proper turnaround or simply one very good afternoon at Old Trafford will become clearer soon enough.
