Bruno Fernandes scored a superb hat-trick as Manchester United came from behind to thrash Ipswich Town 5-2 at Old Trafford and register their first Premier League victory of the season.
Michael Carrick’s side went into the encounter desperate for a response following their disappointing 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City on the opening weekend.
However, the Red Devils endured another difficult start as Gary O’Neil’s Ipswich side caused problems with their pace and direct approach.
Julio Enciso tested Senne Lammens after a quick counter-attack, while the United goalkeeper also produced a fine save to deny Daizen Maeda as the visitors threatened to take control.
Ipswich eventually made their bright start count in the 29th minute.
Abdul Fatawu easily went past Luke Shaw on the right before delivering an inviting ball into the penalty area, where Leif Davis arrived to fire past Lammens and give the visitors a deserved lead.
United were fortunate not to fall further behind, with Lammens producing another important save from Davis after Fatawu had once again caused problems for the hosts.
The turning point arrived five minutes before the break following an unfortunate mistake from Marcelino Nunez.
The Chilean midfielder lost his footing in possession, allowing Matheus Cunha to steal the ball and release Fernandes. The United captain made no mistake, beating Kjell Scherpen with a powerful left-footed strike to make it 1-1 in the 40th minute.
The equaliser transformed the atmosphere inside Old Trafford and United emerged for the second half with greater urgency.
Bryan Mbeumo should have completed the turnaround when Marcus Rashford delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but his close-range effort struck the underside of the crossbar.
United did not have to wait much longer for their second goal.
Harry Maguire brought the ball under control on the edge of the area before sending a low effort towards goal, with Jacob Greaves inadvertently diverting it beyond Scherpen in the 56th minute.
The goal survived a VAR review following appeals for handball against Maguire in the build-up.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for Greaves and Ipswich when the defender brought down Cunha inside the penalty area.
Fernandes stepped up and confidently dispatched the resulting spot-kick in the 61st minute, sending Scherpen the wrong way to put United firmly in control.
The Portuguese international completed his hat-trick just seven minutes later.
After efforts from Kobbie Mainoo and Mbeumo were blocked inside a crowded penalty area, the ball fell kindly to Fernandes, who kept his composure to finish from close range for United’s fourth.
It was a captain’s performance from Fernandes, who had almost single-handedly transformed what initially looked like another uncomfortable afternoon for Carrick’s men.
Fernandes then turned provider eight minutes from time, releasing Mbeumo, who produced a clever finish over Scherpen. The ball struck the underside of the crossbar before crossing the line to make it 5-1.
Ipswich grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time after Enciso dispossessed Lisandro Martinez and squared the ball for substitute Chuba Akpom to score from close range.
There was, however, no denying United their first three points of the campaign after a devastating second-half display.
