Manchester United survived a first-half Patrick Dorgu red card to record a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town in Wednesday's entertaining Premier League contest at Old Trafford.
Jaden Philogene sent Ipswich ahead early on, but an own goal from Sam Morsy levelled the scores before the Red Devils took a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute courtesy of a close-range finish from Matthijs de Ligt.
Dorgu was handed a red card for a rash challenge on Omari Hutchinson before Philogene's second of the match levelled the scores late in the first period, but Harry Maguire headed a third for the Red Devils shortly after the restart.
The victory has moved Man United into 14th spot in the Premier League table, boasting 33 points from 27 matches, while Ipswich remain 18th, five points behind 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in the battle to stay in the division.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Good grief, what a match.
In so many ways, this encapsulated Man United's season - there were so many worrying moments, so many things that have to improve, but the Red Devils showed heart to triumph after losing Dorgu late in the first period.
Once again, Man United were incredibly short on quality, but this was a huge match for Ruben Amorim, and his team were able to navigate their way to an incredibly important three points.
In truth, the FA Cup and the Europa League are much more important in the closing stages of the campaign, with Man United not going to be relegated and likely battling to finish between 12th and 16th.
The 20-time English champions needed an Old Trafford win, though, and it has come courtesy of a five-goal thriller.
As for Ipswich, an incredible chance presented itself due to the home side's struggles and the red card, but the Tractor Boys ultimately came up short, and they face a huge task when it comes to avoiding relegation.
MAN UNITED VS. IPSWICH HIGHLIGHTS
Jaden Philogene goal vs. Man United (4th min, Man United 0-1 Ipswich)
Ipswich take the lead at Old Trafford after just FOUR minutes 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
A miscommunication between Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana leaves Jaden Philogene-Bidace with a tap-in 😬
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/vvo2vE9LK2
Ipswich take the lead in the fourth minute of the contest, as Philogene taps into an empty net following a horror mistake from Onana, who came out to clear while Dorgu was attempting a pass back to him, and it rolled through for the Ipswich attacker to convert into the back of the net for 1-0 to the visitors.
Sam Morsy own goal vs. Ipswich (22nd min, Man United 1-1 Ipswich)
Man United equalise against Ipswich through a powerful Bruno Fernandes ball as Sam Morsy heads it into his own net 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/gvdWhQNpvx
Man United level the scores in the 22nd minute as Ipswich captain Morsy heads a dangerous free kick from Fernandes into the back of his own net - the response from the Red Devils has been impressive.
Matthijs de Ligt goal vs. Ipswich (26th min, Man United 2-1 Ipswich)
Man United turn a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead in just four minutes! 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
Matthijs de Ligt fires it into the roof of the net from a few of yards out 👊
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/GwWozB4e3N
Man United score a second in the 26th minute of the match, as De Ligt fires into the back of the net from close range after Diogo Dalot had seen a strike kept out by the Ipswich goalkeeper; the Red Devils have turned this match around to lead!
42nd min: Patrick Dorgu (Man United) red card
Patrick Dorgu is sent off against Ipswich following a dangerous challenge on Omari Hutchinson 🟥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/taBWsKTKmR
Man United are reduced to 10 men, as Dorgu is handed a straight red card for a poor tackle on Hutchinson - the referee was sent across to the monitor to have a look following advice from the VAR and ultimately decided that the tackle was worthy of a red card.
Jaden Philogene goal vs. Man United (45th min, Man United 2-2 Ipswich)
Jaden Philogene's cross goes straight through the defence as Ipswich draw level at Old Trafford 👀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
They equalised just four minutes after Man United went down to 10 men 😬
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qbHCC25OHI
Ipswich level the scores in the latter stages of the first period, as Philogene's cross from a wide angle ends up in the bottom corner of the net - Liam Delap was the target, but it sails straight into the bottom corner. All square at Old Trafford!
Harry Maguire goal vs. Ipswich (48th min, Man United 3-2 Ipswich)
HARRY MAGUIRE FIRES MAN UNITED BACK INTO THE LEAD AGAINST IPSWICH!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
What a game this is 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/SmQd9WTfAQ
Maguire heads Man United back into the lead, with the centre-back converting a corner from Fernandes; what an incredible match this has been, and the Red Devils again have the lead early in the second period.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRUNO FERNANDES
© Imago
Where would Man United be without their captain? Fernandes was again his team's best player on Wednesday night, driving his side forward during their difficult moments.
It was Fernandes's free kick that Morsy headed into the back of his own net for 1-1, before the Portugal international provided the assist for Maguire to score Man United's third early in the second period.
The Red Devils captain was simply everywhere against Ipswich, and he is fully deserving of this award despite Philogene coming up with a brace for Ipswich at Old Trafford.
MAN UNITED VS. IPSWICH MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 44%-56% Ipswich
Shots: Man United 10-12 Ipswich
Shots on target: Man United 6-3 Ipswich
Corners: Man United 5-6 Ipswich
Fouls: Man United 9-16 Ipswich
BEST STATS
Ruben Amorim has now been in charge of Man United for 23 games.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
He has played a different starting XI in all 23 of those games 😳 pic.twitter.com/rGDuzqm56s
Since Ruben Amorim was appointed as Man United's manager, his side have conceded the opening goal in more Premier League games than any other side (12) 📉
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
(Via @Squawka_Live) pic.twitter.com/opTOuJekMI
3 - In the last three seasons, the only three instances of a player scoring twice in the first half of a Premier League game at Old Trafford:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 26, 2025
Pascal Groß for Brighton (Aug 2022)
Luis Díaz for Liverpool (Sept 2024)
Jaden Philogene for Ipswich tonight
Visiting. pic.twitter.com/SxMzBr3c82
WHAT NEXT?
Man United's attention will now switch to the FA Cup, preparing to welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in the fifth round of the competition, before heading to Real Sociedad on March 6 for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash.
Ipswich are also in FA Cup fifth-round action in their next match, heading to Nottingham Forest on March 3, before continuing their Premier League campaign away to Crystal Palace on March 8.
Matt Law
