The hype surrounding Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United grew from the moment he was appointed and on Sunday travelling supporters got to see any early changes the new head coach had made for themselves, against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
The 39-year-old got the perfect start, with a goal inside two minutes from Marcus Rashford, but United failed to increase that lead as their hosts, promoted from the Championship last season, grew into the game, equalised and could have scored more had Andre Onana not pulled off some crucial saves.
I could not make the trip myself, so to get an overview of the feeling from the away end, I spoke to four match-going United fans — and a former Ipswich forward — for their views on Amorim’s debut.
GO DEEPER
The Briefing: Ipswich Town 1 Manchester United 1 – That opening goal, Onana’s importance, what Amorim has to do
‘There were Amorim chants but the intensity dropped off, as it did on the pitch’
Matt Ford outside Portman Road
When Amad ran down the wing and set up the opening goal, I was thinking, “Right, here we are.”
This was Amorim’s “idea” that he spoke of in practice — but it’s going to need time and there was so little else. The second half was a non-event, the substitutes came on too late and didn’t do anything either. Christian Eriksen and Diogo Dalot should have gone off earlier. Amad was the best player, but so much of it was just as pedestrian and lacking in creativity as what we’ve seen before.
You can see the changes will need time to work — we’ve seen that performance from United a hundred times.
The away end was full of familiar faces who have accompanied the team through thick and mainly thin over the past decade and it was a raucous start to begin with. I sensed similarities to David Moyes’ first away game at Swansea (a 4-1 win in August 2013) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s at Cardiff (a 5-1 win in December 2018). There were loud chants for Amorim but the intensity soon dropped off, as it did on the pitch. It’s all well and good getting behind the team when they’re 1-0 up and doing well. But it should be the other way around.
We couldn’t expect miracles. Amorim had two training sessions and while INEOS have been in the door since the start of the season, Erik ten Hag wasn’t their man. Amorim is. Ipswich was day one of the INEOS era but the whole structure needs time.
On paper, it’s a proper football structure, including people with impressive CVs, like Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada and now Amorim, so let’s see what they can do.
Matt Ford
‘He believes the job is not too big for him — and that he belongs’
‘Dips’ Jandu inside Portman Road
Portman Road is an old-school ground and I liked it, but it was busy getting in, with one man taking a ticket and then scanning it. The stairwells in the away end were packed at the start, with some pushing. It wasn’t good, then the goal went in and mayhem ensued. Hearing ‘Five Cantonas’ was a highlight, signalling that Christmas is close.
Before the game, Amorim highlighted United’s issue with running back, so I was surprised to see Casemiro and Eriksen start.
Despite high expectations and a buzzing atmosphere at the start, it turned into another average performance. The excitement dropped quickly and didn’t pick up in the second half. Perhaps the enormity of the job hit home for Amorim and the fans. It’s a huge ask.
GO DEEPER
Manchester United’s switches of play were the positive aspect of Amorim’s first game in charge
Amad stood out. He’s had a couple of good games, but this league is so tough. I’ve been pleased with how well Andre Onana has done this season, though. He saved us.
My expectations with United are probably the lowest they’ve ever been but I’m hopeful for Amorim. He’s different to what we’ve seen. He’s young, he’s tranquil and he has charisma. He believes the job is for him, he feels like he belongs at Manchester United, not that it’s too big for him.
It’s too early to judge him, but we go in hope and believe that things will get better. Because if you don’t have that hope, what’s the point?
‘Dips’ Jandu
‘The game was flat, but I’m optimistic going forward under Amorim’
Luca Black, left, with his friend Reece
I’m disappointed. I thought we’d win comfortably, but we didn’t create enough chances. There was a period after half-time when we kept chipping the ball forward to Rashford and losing it every time. It was so tedious to watch.
I sat on the lower tier, right by the pitch. The atmosphere was good in the first half, the second half was flatter and reflected the game more. I wasn’t even born the last time United played at Ipswich (April 2002), but the banter was good between fans. We had a decent allocation of tickets and it’s a proper football ground, you’re right by the pitch. Tickets were hard to come by. One of my mates paid £200 to sit in the home end — he’s a teenager like me and probably earns £700 a month.
I was a bit upset for Ten Hag when he was sacked. We did have some good times but it was also probably the right time for him to go. I’d heard very little about Amorim but while this first game was flat, I’m optimistic going forward and I think he’ll turn the season around.
Luca Black
‘Amorim has a bit of an aura. He’ll get support. He needs it’
Gary Thompson, left, with former Ipswich striker James Scowcroft
We left Burnage in Manchester at 8am on Sunday. We’ve been going for decades. I first went to Ipswich in 1976, when United lost 3-0. I saw us lose 6-0 there in 1980, when Gary Bailey saved three penalties. Sunday was the 16th time I’ve seen United at Portman Road and I’ve only seen three wins.
The atmosphere was boisterous and very pro the new manager. The early goal fuelled that, but the atmosphere became subdued as the game went on. Overall, it was a poor performance and I’m disappointed, but the manager doesn’t have a magic wand. It’s not going to change overnight but United were terrible, to be honest. I expected them to win, but I’d say that every week — that’s the child in me.
I liked Ten Hag and the FA Cup final was right up there with the best wins in the club’s recent history. It was one of my favourite days out with United. I wanted Ten Hag to stay on in the summer and thought he deserved another go at it, but when the time came recently it was the right decision.
I’m optimistic about Amorim and he carries himself well. He’s got a bit of an aura about him. He’ll get support. He needs it.
Gary Thompson
James Scowcroft, former Ipswich striker
United started well — the formation works, the goal was brilliant. Ipswich have a massive weakness on the left defensively and United exploited that. Rashford’s goal was very good, he was in a central area, which you need to be as a No 9. It was the type of goal he scored two years ago.
But United didn’t capitalise on it. They were far too deep, the windy conditions didn’t help and Ipswich grew.
(Ipswich manager) Kieran McKenna said it was the biggest game happening in world football yesterday. I’m not sure it was, but the attraction of United coming to Ipswich was a big thing for the club and the town. Staying up is the target this season and I think Ipswich will just about do it. Ipswich fans feel they should have won the game — Onana was the best player.
Onana made some vital saves for United (Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
I wonder if United have the players to grow tactically and technically. I’m not convinced the squad is good enough. The next two summer transfer windows are huge — forget January, I don’t think anything can be significantly improved then.
Amorim is a talented coach and I like the way he talks about the game, but there was no new-manager bounce for United. It was alarming that little changed after the break. I think if United get European football next season, it will be a big success. They need to improve massively, and things could get worse before they get better.
(In-copy photos supplied by the fans involved; top photo: Getty Images)
Andy Mitten is a journalist and author. He founded the best-selling United We Stand fanzine as a 15-year-old. A journalism graduate, he’s interviewed over 500 famous footballers past and present. His work has taken him to over 100 countries, writing about football from Israel to Iran, Brazil to Barbados. Born and bred in Manchester, he divides his time between his city of birth and Barcelona, Spain. Follow Andy on Twitter @andymitten