Man United welcome the Tractor Boys to Old Trafford
By Karl Matchett
Facing a newly promoted side right at the start of a new season is dangerous – everyone has known that for years. But even the most pessimistic supporter must have been grinning at United being handed two in a row to kick off 2026/27.
Tactics vs. toughness
Carrick’s side had plenty of the ball against Hull, but did comparatively little with it; by contrast, they were easily picked apart when the top-flight Tigers surged forward, got people in the box and took their chances. The atmosphere, energy, adrenaline, excitement at being back in the Premier League – all that is of course a massive part of a promoted side’s first game of the year, and Manchester United won’t be the last team to succumb to it.
But all the same, they can’t use the same excuse when the next chance to put matters right rolls around and Ipswich had their own late scenes of jubilation when beating Sunderland on gameweek one, too. All things being equal, United should rightly be expected to put in a far stronger showing for their first home game, and their second match-up with a promoted outfit. But “expectations” only skate over the truth: Hull created more big chances than United, produced more sprints, covered more ground, won way more duels and were simply more aggressive, on and off the ball. United have their way of playing, which is fine, but there also looks very little evidence that they’ve ditched the softness of last season – and in matches where the opposition brings the energy, that’s increasingly problematic in the Premier League.
Lessons learned?
Last time around after promotion Ipswich spent big, but on a lot of promise, potential and possibility – think Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson. This time it’s slightly different, with plenty of top-flight experience joining through Issa Diop, Saša Lukić, Florentino Luís and the excellent Julio Enciso. Add in some who have featured in European competition – Exequiel Palacios from Leverkusen and Daizen Maeda from Celtic – and this looks a much better-balanced, better-equipped, squad to try and stay up.
Recent form
Prior to losing to Hull, United failed to win their final three preseason games. Ipswich followed up the opening day win over Sunderland by beating Leicester in the EFL Cup midweek.
Team news
New signing Carlos Baleba is out for a while yet, with fellow midfielders Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte also sidelined. Ipswich are missing Florentino Luís but are otherwise fine.
Key player
United signed Youri Tielemans to dictate play and help progress the ball from deep – this type of game it’s critical he do so. He made 12 passes into the final third and 15 line-breakers on his debut, so a full 90 minutes here should up that supply line considerably.
Prediction
Another 90 minutes of concern and frustration to start the season for the hosts: Man United 1-1 Ipswich.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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