Kieran McKenna previews eagerly awaited return to Man Utd, stresses ‘opportunity’ for Ipswich to cause upset

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Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna returns to Old Trafford tonight with a point to prove.

Manchester United are back in action as they host Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

For a second consecutive match, Ruben Amorim will face a coach with links to United, and it will be his second time taking on McKenna’s Ipswich side.

United drew 2-2 with Everton last week as David Moyes continued his impressive record since returning to Goodison Park as Sean Dyche’s replacement. The Reds came from behind thanks to two second half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.

However, United’s first game under Amorim ended in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich at Portman Road. A better result is required tonight if the players intend to climb up the table.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
13	TottenhamTottenham	26	10	3	13	53	38	15	33
14	EvertonEverton	26	7	10	9	29	33	-4	31
15	Man UtdManchester United	26	8	6	12	30	37	-7	30
16	West HamWest Ham	26	8	6	12	30	47	-17	30

Kieran McKenna will be relishing the chance to win at Old Trafford and get one over his former club, where he initially served as U18s manager. The Northern Irishman went on to work as assistant manager to Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

After leaving to take over Ipswich in December 2021, McKenna secured back-to-back promotions in his first two full seasons. This led to him being linked with the United job last summer, but he stayed, and the Tractor Boys have struggled in the top flight.

Kieran McKenna gives verdict on Manchester United struggles

Certainly, McKenna was familiar with the set-up at United, having spent five years at the club.

They were a match for United’s first team when the two sides last met earlier this season

McKenna will be demanding those same levels from his players in the return fixture at Old Trafford. The 38-year-old believes his side has “an opportunity” to secure a historic result, even after admitting he has not paid much attention to United’s recent struggles.

“I haven’t followed it really, really closely, to be honest,” McKenna told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “We’re so wrapped up in ourselves first and foremost, trying to work on improving every little detail on ourselves and then on the next opponent.

“We played them in the manager’s first game, so that’s our clearest reference. There were some things that were good in the game for us and they showed their quality in some moments as well.

“Of course, I know quite a few of the players on a more detailed level. Our players know pretty much all their players very, very well and we know that it’s going to be a big challenge.

“But we also feel that there’s an opportunity there to go and put in a really good performance.”

United are sat 15^th in the Premier League table with 13 points better off than Ipswich.

“I think it’s a surprise for anyone,” McKenna added. “I don’t think anyone in football would say it’s anything other than that. I’m sure they’d want to be having a better season than they are.

“I think it does show the competitiveness of the Premier League, that’s the truth of it. I think the margins to win games, whether it’s Man United in the last few months, we’ve seen it with Man City for spells of the season, we’ve seen it with Tottenham for spells of the season.”

Ipswich Town record at Old Trafford

Ipswich will be embarking on their first trip to Old Trafford since 2001 after returning to the top flight this season.

It bodes well for United that they are unbeaten in their last seven home league games against Ipswich. They also scored 15 goals and conceded none from Ipswich’s last three trips to the Theatre of Dreams.

United will be favourites to get a positive result because Ipswich have taken just one point from their last six outings, including a heavy defeat by Manchester City.

Only Southampton have less wins than Ipswich (3) this season.