Luke Shaw has taken responsibility for Ipswich's opening goal which put Manchester United onto the back foot on Sunday. United won 5-2 at Old Trafford thanks largely to Bruno Fernandes, but the issues at the back were there for all to see.
Fernandes stars as United bounce back
Fernandes scored a hat-trick and set up Bryan Mbeumo's goal with a brilliant pass in an all-round star display from the United captain. But after conceding twice at Hull on the opening day, United's defence appeared vulnerable once more.
Ipswich took the lead when Abdul Fatawu breezed past Shaw and crossed for an unmarked Leif Davis to guide a finish in at the back post. And even when the game was safe at the end of the match, another error crept in. Lisandro Martinez was dispossessed by Julio Enciso, who laid a tap-in on a plate for Chuba Akpom.
Shaw holds his hands up
Speaking after the game, Shaw held his hands up for the first goal and called on his teammates to improve their defensive record after shipping four goals in two games against newly-promoted sides.
He told Sky Sports: "A really important win. We knew how important it was to win today. I am a bit disappointed and angry with myself for the first goal. Extremely happy with the team in the second half, it was really good."
"With the quality in our squad we should have belief all the time we can win games. It always helps when you have someone like Bruno in your team, he can score and create."
"Us as Manchester United should be expected to win here. After last week we were extremely disappointed and knew we had to react today. Of course not the first goal, but the way we bounced back after that. We kept the tempo high and kept going for more – that is the thing we can improve this season."
Ferdinand hails Martinez
Martinez may have been culpable for Ipswich's consolation goal, but the Argentina international caught the eye of Rio Ferdinand with his passing range in possession.
"Martinez, by the way, we conceded two goals today, but what I would like to talk about is his ability on the ball," Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. "I would go as far as to say Martinez is the best centre-back on the ball in the game right now.
"I'm trying to think of someone else better who can break the line with passing, who can beat the press when someone comes to him and just move it, take the ball in tight areas; Martinez takes some beating. He was phenomenal on the ball today in terms of his passing, like top tier."
