Fernandes Hat-Trick Fires Man United To 5-2 Victory Over Ipswich

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick and provided an assist as Manchester United recovered from a goal down to thrash Ipswich Town 5-2 in an entertaining Premier League encounter.

Ipswich, who had opened their Premier League campaign with a victory over Sunderland last weekend, appeared on course for another impressive result after taking an early lead at Old Trafford.

Leif Davis put the visitors ahead with a superb half-volley after Abdul Fatawu produced excellent wing play to beat Luke Shaw and create the opening.

Ipswich could have extended their advantage, with Julio Enciso also coming close after holding off United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Shaw during a run from the halfway line, only for goalkeeper Senne Lammens to deny him.

However, United’s fortunes changed dramatically after Marcelino Nunez slipped while attempting to deal with a loose ball following an Ipswich corner.

The mistake allowed United to launch a swift counter-attack, with Matheus Cunha finding Fernandes, who calmly finished to restore parity.

The hosts then moved ahead through an own goal from Jacob Greaves.

Harry Maguire’s effort was deflected into the Ipswich net by Greaves, although there was controversy surrounding the goal after the ball appeared to strike Maguire’s arms in the build-up.

The goal was allowed after it was determined that Maguire had not scored directly with his arm and that Greaves had ultimately diverted the ball into his own net.

Ipswich’s afternoon then unravelled completely.

Just three minutes later, Greaves brought down Cunha inside the area to concede a penalty, with Fernandes making no mistake from the spot to put United 3-1 ahead.

The United captain completed his hat-trick after Kobbie Mainoo and Mbeumo both saw efforts blocked, with Fernandes reacting quickest to finish the move.

Fernandes then turned provider, sending Mbeumo through with a superb ball over the top.

Mbeumo’s effort struck the crossbar before spinning over the line, giving United a commanding 5-1 lead.

Ipswich managed a late consolation when Enciso cut the ball back for substitute Chuba Akpom, who finished to reduce the deficit to 5-2.

The result highlighted once again the importance of Fernandes to United, with the Portuguese midfielder continuing to produce decisive performances for the club.

Fernandes was named the Professional Footballers’ Association men’s player of the year this week after a remarkable campaign last season in which he set a Premier League record with 21 assists.

His latest three-goal performance was his third hat-trick for United, taking his overall tally to 113 goals in 330 appearances for the club.

His contribution was particularly important for Michael Carrick’s side after they had fallen behind early.

United had entered the game under pressure following a 2-0 defeat by Hull last weekend and were in danger of becoming only the fourth top-flight team in history to lose their opening two matches of a season against newly promoted opposition.

They also faced the possibility of trailing by more than one goal, with Lammens forced into several important saves before United turned the game around.

Instead, Fernandes produced a captain’s performance, scoring three goals before setting up Mbeumo for United’s fifth.

The Portuguese midfielder even attempted an audacious effort from the centre circle shortly after completing his hat-trick, although the ball landed on the roof of the net.

United finished the match with 33 shots, their highest total in a Premier League game since October 2016 against Burnley.

Mbeumo also came agonisingly close to adding another goal when he struck the crossbar from just two yards with an open goal after receiving Marcus Rashford’s ball.

The scale of United’s eventual victory ensured that less attention was placed on the controversial second goal, which would have been ruled out had VAR not determined that Greaves had diverted Maguire’s effort into his own net.

For almost 40 minutes, Ipswich looked capable of securing a second consecutive victory following their return to the Premier League.

Davis’ opener had given Gary O’Neil’s side confidence, while Fatawu continued to cause problems on the flank.

The pair combined again shortly after Davis’ goal, but Lammens saved the resulting effort.

However, Ipswich’s collapse began with Nunez’s costly slip, with the midfielder losing his footing around 65 yards from his own goal and allowing United to exploit the space behind the defence.

Greaves then endured a particularly difficult spell, conceding the own goal before giving away the penalty within two minutes and 45 seconds.

The extent of Ipswich’s collapse was underlined immediately after Fernandes completed his hat-trick.

Enciso lost possession straight from the restart, allowing Fernandes to attempt another spectacular effort from almost 50 yards.

Ipswich were unable to produce a shot between the 49th minute and stoppage time as United took complete control.

What had begun as a potentially memorable afternoon for the visitors ultimately became a heavy defeat, with United’s attacking pressure and Fernandes’ individual brilliance turning the contest decisively in the hosts’ favour.