Carrick rotated his squad, making four changes from the team that faced Hull, including handing Marcus Rashford his first start in 626 days. Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martínez, and Kobbie Mainoo also returned to the starting XI. Ipswich began the match strongly and took the lead through Leif Davis midway through the first half, signaling a difficult evening for United early on.
Fernandes drew United level just before the break, stabilizing the game and providing a platform for a dominant second half. In the latter period, Fernandes completed his hat-trick, marking the second Premier League triple of his career. Jacob Greaves added a fortuitous own goal, and Bryan Mbeumo scored before Chuba Akpom netted a late consolation for Ipswich.
The second half showcased a much-improved United performance, with Fernandes once again at the heart of the attacking play. This encouraged a more convincing display, which United fans had hoped would offset the poor showing against Hull at the campaign’s start.
Despite the positive reactions to individual performances online, some supporters remained critical of Luke Shaw. The left-back, who has faced a challenging start to the season, was exposed by Abdul Fatawu for Ipswich’s opening goal assist to Davis last weekend and again found himself targeted by Ipswich’s pace down the left flank. Critics argued that United needed a more reliable solution at left-back, especially with the transfer window closing soon.
Fans online were vocal about the need to address the left-back position, with calls to either bench or replace Shaw to strengthen the defense. Several supporters insisted that the club should consider major changes in defense if improving results is the priority for the rest of the season.
In the transfer market, United face a deadline looming on September 1, intensifying the pressure to secure a viable left-back option. The club’s pursuit of a new left-back has been a focal point, with INEOS reportedly seeking a suitable fit to compete with Shaw or potentially replace him. Among reported targets, Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall was identified as a top target, though Newcastle have signaled he is not for sale after losing several key players this summer. Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde was also considered, though Balde reportedly preferred to stay at the Nou Camp. Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas has been linked as a potential long-term addition, given his youth and potential impact.
As things stand, Shaw remains Carrick’s only natural senior left-back option, a situation that could become problematic if injuries or form issues persist. The team’s defensive stability will be a key area to monitor as the transfer window closes and the season progresses. Overall, United’s attacking quality shone through against Ipswich, led by Fernandes, but the defense will need strengthening to sustain results over the coming fixtures.
