Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was on fire against Ipswich Town, as he inspired his team to come from behind to thrash Gary O’Neil’s side 5-2 in the Premier League.
Ipswich took the lead in the 28th minute through a stunning Leif Davis goal but, with five minutes left to go before half time, up stepped Fernandes to drag United straight back into it after Matheus Cunha capitalised on a Marcelino Núñez mistake and played the United captain in to fire home and make it 1-1.
Ten minutes into the second half, Harry Maguire put United in front with a low, driven shot that took a big deflection off of Jacob Greaves and beat Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. There was a brief VAR check for handball but, as it was Greaves with the decisive touch, the goal stood.
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Just minutes later, United were awarded a penalty as Greaves hacked down Cunha from behind. As usual, Fernandes put the penalty away in emphatic fashion for his second of the evening.
Seven minutes later, the Portugal international completed his hat trick as he slotted the ball past Scherpen with ease from five yards out. By the 70th minute, United were cruising at 4-1 up while Ipswich were struggling in the pouring rain at Old Trafford.
In the closing stages, United made it five as Bryan Mbeumo latched on to a delightful pass from Fernandes and lifted it over Scherpen. Greaves tried to clear it off the line but was unsuccessful in doing so.
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There was a consolation goal for Ipswich in stoppage time, when Chuba Akpom slotted home after Julio Enciso nicked the ball from Lisandro Martínez.
It was a match that United desperately needed to win after their shocking defeat to Hull City in their Premier League opener last weekend, and they did so with vim.
