Fernandes Hat-Trick Powers Manchester United Past Ipswich at Old Trafford

Leif Davis gave Ipswich a deserved first-half lead before Fernandes restored parity shortly before the interval. Jacob Greaves’ own goal then completed United’s comeback after the break, with Fernandes adding two more and Bryan Mbeumo scoring the fifth before Chuba Akpom grabbed a late consolation.

The result was an important response from Michael Carrick’s side after they had opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 defeat against newly promoted Hull City.

Carrick made four changes for his first home league match of the season, bringing Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford into the starting side.

Rashford’s inclusion was particularly notable, marking his first Premier League start at Old Trafford since December 2024.

United began with plenty of possession, but Ipswich gradually exposed spaces in the hosts’ defence and produced the more dangerous opportunities as the first half developed.

The visitors took the lead in the 29th minute through an excellent move involving Abdul Fatawu and Davis.

Fatawu beat Luke Shaw down the right before reaching the byline and lifting a precise delivery towards the penalty spot. Davis timed his arrival perfectly and met it first time, sending his left-footed finish off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Ipswich almost doubled their advantage only two minutes later.

Fatawu again delivered for Davis at the back post, but this time United goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced an important save to prevent the visitors from taking control of the match.

That missed opportunity proved costly.

United finally found their response five minutes before half-time after Marcelino Nunez lost his footing in midfield.

Matheus Cunha drove into the available space before releasing Fernandes, who moved towards the right side of the penalty area and smashed a powerful finish past Kjell Scherpen from a difficult angle to make it 1-1.

The goal sent the teams into the interval level despite Ipswich having created enough opportunities to cause United significantly more damage.

Carrick’s team returned for the second half with greater intensity.

Mbeumo somehow failed to put United ahead in the 53rd minute when Rashford’s delivery found him unmarked, only for his improvised effort to strike the underside of the crossbar and stay out.

Three minutes later, however, United completed the turnaround.

Harry Maguire moved forward after winning possession and attempted a low shot from outside the area. The effort was heading away from goal before taking a substantial deflection off Greaves and beating Scherpen for an own goal.

A VAR review followed after Ipswich appealed for a possible Maguire handball during the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Greaves’ difficult spell became worse almost immediately.

Mainoo carried the ball through midfield before releasing Cunha, and the Ipswich defender mistimed his challenge inside the penalty area.

Fernandes stepped up from the spot in the 61st minute and calmly sent Scherpen the wrong way to give United a 3-1 advantage.

The United captain was not finished.

Seven minutes later he completed his hat-trick.

Mainoo’s initial effort was blocked before Mbeumo also saw a shot stopped inside a crowded penalty area. The loose ball fell perfectly for Fernandes, who controlled it before sweeping a composed finish into the opposite corner.

His three goals arrived between the 40th and 68th minutes, completing a 28-minute hat-trick that transformed a difficult afternoon into a commanding United performance.

It was Fernandes’ second Premier League hat-trick, with both coming in Manchester United’s first home league match of a season. His previous one came against Leeds United in 2021/22.

Rashford was denied by Scherpen before eventually making way in the 80th minute, ending his first Premier League start in 21 months without a goal.

Mbeumo then added United’s fifth in the 82nd minute, fernandes turned provider with an excellent pass over the Ipswich defence, allowing Mbeumo to race through as Scherpen came off his line.

The Cameroon international delicately lifted the bouncing ball over the goalkeeper, with his effort striking the underside of the crossbar before crossing the line.

The assist completed an outstanding afternoon for Fernandes, who finished with three goals and one assist.

Ipswich managed one final response in stoppage time after Martinez was caught in possession close to his own corner flag.

Julio Enciso stole the ball before unselfishly finding substitute Akpom inside the area, and the forward converted from close range to make the final score 5-2.

The late concession provided United with a reminder that defensive issues remain, but it did little to diminish an emphatic attacking performance.

The victory gives Carrick’s team their first three points of the new Premier League season after the disappointment of their opening-day defeat.

United will next face Everton on September 6, while Ipswich must recover quickly ahead of a difficult meeting with Liverpool on Friday.