Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United came from behind to beat Ipswich 5-2 at Old Trafford, securing their first Premier League win of the season. The victory was not without controversy, with a VAR reprieve playing a key role in United's second goal.
Leif Davis stunned the Stretford End when he put Ipswich ahead on 29 minutes, but Fernandes levelled after being sent clear following a defensive mishap. Jacob Greaves then put through his own net to give United the lead, but only after Harry Maguire had handled the ball before receiving a VAR reprieve.
Fernandes seals the win
Fernandes scored from 12 yards to give Michael Carrick's side a two-goal cushion on the hour mark before completing his treble with a close-range finish after a fortuitous bounce. Bryan Mbeumo added a fifth, with Chuba Akpom scoring a consolation in stoppage time.
The visitors, who once lost this fixture 9-0 in the 1990s, were not going to allow a repeat. Julio Enciso showcased immense pace to race onto a long ball before Senne Lammens denied him, but the Belgian was beaten when Davis put the Tractor Boys ahead. Abdul Fatawu beat Luke Shaw before firing in a cross that Davis met first time, his shot cannoning in off the crossbar.
Maguire controversy and Ipswich's positive hour
United needed their PFA Player of the Year to haul them out of trouble. An Ipswich error left the hosts two-on-one, and Fernandes was sent clear by Matheus Cunha before hammering past Kjell Scherpen. Mbeumo hit the bar from a yard out early in the second half, but Maguire soon had United ahead in controversial circumstances that will go down as a Greaves own goal.
Fernandes scored his second from the spot after Cunha had been fouled, then completed his hat-trick before Mbeumo added further gloss. Ipswich were in the game for an hour, and Gary O'Neil will see the first 60 minutes as a blueprint for the season.
Talking points
Fernandes, named the Premier League's best player after breaking the record for assists in a single campaign last season, is flowing with confidence. Gary Neville remarked on commentary that the Portuguese playmaker is the best signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Maguire's handling of the ball before his shot was heading wide and deflected in by Greaves means VAR's intervention laws will be under scrutiny. Ipswich, who won just four games last time they were in the top flight under Kieran McKenna, have players like Daizen Maeda and Issa Diop to call on this season.
Benjamin Sesko began on the bench for a second week in succession, given only 11 minutes by Carrick. Marcus Rashford, called upon at half-time against Hull last weekend, did enough to convince his boss he was worthy of a start as his second coming at his boyhood club continues.
