Harry Maguire ‘s second-half header secured a 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Ipswich Town in a dramatic Premier League encounter at Old Trafford. The win, only Ruben Amorim’s third home league victory, came after a chaotic first half that included an early goalkeeping error, an own goal, and a red card.
Ipswich took a shock lead in the fourth minute. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana misjudged a long ball, allowing defender Patrick Dorgu to play it past him, leaving Jaden Philogene with a simple tap-in.
United responded quickly. Ipswich captain Sam Morsy headed a Bruno Fernandes free-kick into his own net, leveling the score. Matthijs de Ligt then put United ahead, firing home after Maguire and Diogo Dalot had shots saved.
The match took another turn when Dorgu was sent off before halftime. Referee Darren England initially missed the foul on Omari Hutchinson, but VAR Craig Pawson intervened, leading to the red card. Ipswich capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Philogene scoring his second, curling a cross into the far corner after Onana failed to react to a missed header from Liam Delap.
Maguire, however, proved to be the match-winner. He powered home a header from a Fernandes corner two minutes into the second half, securing a much-needed victory for the home side.
United Overcome Early Blunder, Show Set-Piece Strength
Manchester United’s victory was overshadowed by another goalkeeping error from Andre Onana. His miscommunication with Dorgu gifted Ipswich an early lead, highlighting a recurring issue for the team. The error came at the end of a bad week for the club.
However, United’s response demonstrated resilience. They rallied after both Ipswich goals and showed a newfound threat from set-pieces, scoring all three goals from such situations – the first time they’ve achieved this in a Premier League game since September 2016 against Leicester.
Despite the win, concerns remain. Rasmus Hojlund’s goal drought continued, although he worked hard, and Onana’s form remains a worry. Dorgu’s red card, while a reckless tackle, leaves United short of options at left-wing-back, ruling him out of three matches, starting with Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Fulham.
Ipswich’s Defensive Woes Continue
Ipswich’s winless run in 2025 extended to eight games, making it their worst start to a calendar year in the top flight since 1970. The defeat leaves them facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
While Liam Delap and goalkeeper Alex Palmer showed their quality, Ipswich’s defensive frailties were exposed once again. They have now conceded 24 goals in their last eight league games, a significant concern for manager Kieran McKenna. Their vulnerability from set-pieces was particularly evident, a weakness that ultimately cost them the match.
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