Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick inspired to inspire Manchester United to fight back from a goal down to thrash Ipswich 5-2 and get their Premier League season up and running on Sunday.
After a 2-0 defeat to Hull last weekend, another newly-promoted side had the Red Devils on the ropes when Leif Davis opened the scoring for the Tractor Boys.
However, Fernandes blasted home to level before half-time and then converted from the penalty spot after a Jacob Greaves own goal put United in front.
The Man United captain completed his hat-trick from close range before adding an assist to his fine afternoon for Bryan Mbeumo.
Marcus Rashford earned his first United start in over two years as Michael Carrick made four changes to the team that began the season with a dismal performance eight days earlier.
Rashford and the return of his England international teammate Kobbie Mainoo made a significant difference, but United were once again relying on Fernandes to make the difference in the final third. Questions linger about Carrick’s back-up players.
Senne Lammens had to save a one-on-one shot from Julio Enciso when he burst free from a United corner before Ipswich took the lead on 29 minutes.
Abdul Fatawu outpaced Luke Shaw down the wing, and Davis wonderfully stroked his cross high into the net.
Moments later, the Ipswich left-back had an even better chance to increase the visitors’ lead, but his weak shot was saved by Lammens.
Instead, the game turned on an Ipswich blunder when Marcelino Nunez stumbled, allowing Matheus Cunha to feed Fernandes, who scored with his weaker left foot.
Another break came against Gary O’Neil’s side 11 minutes into the second half. The ball deflected off Harry Maguire’s arm before he released a shot, and the goal would have been disallowed if it had hit the net directly.
However, because the effort was off target and deflected in off Greaves, it was allowed to stand because it was not considered a handball that resulted in a goal.
Greaves was still recovering from that setback when he hacked down Cunha as he charged toward the goal.
Fernandes, who was named last season’s player of the year by his peers, calmly converted the subsequent penalty kick.
The Portuguese international is already a third of the way to equal that total, having latched onto Mbeumo’s deflected strike to complete his hat trick.
Fernandes still had time to add an assist when Mbeumo raced on to his over-the-top pass and hooked it over big Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen.
However, a strong offensive performance was marred by errors at the defense, allowing Ipswich to score a consolation goal in stoppage time.
Enciso intercepted Lisandro Martinez’s pass and set up Chuba Akpom to tap into an empty net.
