Manchester United drew 1-1 against Ipswich Town in Ruben Amorim’s first game as head coach of the Red Devils.
Marcus Rashford fired Manchester United ahead against Ipswich Town and things looked to be all rosy in the garden for Ruben Amorim but the East Anglian side responded.
Omari Hutchinson scored a brilliant equaliser for Ipswich in the first half and it was certainly an even 90 minutes of football.
Here are five things we learned during United’s draw against Ipswich.
Amad Diallo makes the right-wing back spot his own
There were some raised eyebrows from United fans when Amorim made the surprise decision to play Amad Diallo as a right-wing back.
The Ivorian winger performed superbly well for interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy and it always seemed likely that the former Atalanta ace would have a big part to play against Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich.
It was Amad’s superb run from inside his own half that led to Rashford’s opening goal, and he looked superb.
Ruben Amorim will persist with a back three
There were some questions as to whether United would be playing a back three under Amorim but if his first game against Ipswich is anything to go by, the Portuguese tactician will be playing a back three.
Amorim made it clear in his pre-match press conference that his lineup was based on who had trained during the week but a back three was still in order.
Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans may not be as prominent in the team once the whole squad is up to par with sharpness.
Andre Onana’s world-class contribution
During the current campaign, which has been filled with negativity, Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has covered himself in glory with his performances.
Well, in Amorim’s first game in charge, Onana certainly achieved this with a superb point-blank range save in the first half of this exciting contest.
After coming in for some criticism during his first season at Old Trafford, Onana has proven himself more than good enough to be United’s number one.
It will take time for Amorim’s United to come together
This was a disappointing afternoon in East Anglia for Amorim but it will take time for the former SL Benfica midfielder to get his ideas across to the United first-team squad.
Ipswich certainly created more chances but it did seem United were carrying a few players with Evans and Casemiro replaced early in the first half.
With the busy Christmas period awaiting Amorim, it will take time for his ideas to get across to the United squad.
Luke Shaw makes long-awaited return
After limping off during United’s 2-1 win over Luton Town in February, it has been a tough time for Luke Shaw who has suffered multiple injury setbacks on his way to a return to the first team.
Shaw made a return for England during Euro 2024 but suffered an injury setback and has been out ever since.
Amorim made the decision to play Shaw as a left-sided centre-back rather than as a left-wing back which suggests the Englishman will be a centre-back.
Whilst he did look rusty, Shaw returning to the first team will be a huge plus for Amorim because, when he is fit and firing, there aren’t many better in the Premier League.
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