Manchester United will be desperate to avoid a second successive upset against a newly-promoted side when they welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford this Sunday.
Michael Carrick's Red Devils were stunned on the opening weekend, suffering a first-ever top-flight defeat to Hull City at the MKM Stadium. Goals from Semi Ajayi and club-record signing Nobel Mendy — who headed home Regan Slater's free-kick on his debut after Senne Lammens had tipped Oli McBurnie's effort onto the post — sealed a 2-0 win for the Tigers despite United registering 21 shots.
The result was historic for all the wrong reasons for United. It was the first time in 14 attempts that Manchester United had lost to a promoted side on the opening day of a Premier League season, and marked a sobering start to what had been a summer of optimism.
Carrick returned to Old Trafford in the New Year with the club sitting seventh on 32 points from 21 matches, replacing Ruben Amorim. The former midfielder transformed their season, winning 12 of his final 17 league games to secure a third-placed finish — United's highest Premier League ranking since 2022-23, following eighth and 15th-placed finishes in the two previous campaigns.
The momentum continued into the summer window. United brought in Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £40m deal, Youri Tielemans on a free after leaving Aston Villa, and experienced goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Leeds to provide cover for Lammens. The marquee arrival was Carlos Baleba, whose £95m move from Brighton was confirmed on Thursday after weeks of negotiations, although he is not expected to start on Sunday as he builds fitness.
Ipswich's Dream Return Under New Boss
If United are looking to recover from a nightmare return, Ipswich Town could not have scripted theirs any better.
Relegated in 19th place with just 22 points and four wins during the 2024-25 campaign, the Tractor Boys bounced straight back under Kieran McKenna, finishing second in the Championship with 84 points. In a surprise twist in June, McKenna announced he would take a break from management, prompting Ipswich to turn to former Wolves and Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil.
O'Neil has been backed heavily. Ipswich spent over £100m in the summer window — more than any other promoted side — with seven new signings making their debuts on the opening weekend at Portman Road.
That investment paid off immediately. In front of a sold-out crowd, Ipswich beat fellow newly-promoted Sunderland 2-1 courtesy of a dramatic 90th-minute winner from Jack Clarke against his former club, sealing their first Premier League win since April 2024 and their first opening-day top-flight win since 2001.
The victory was particularly sweet given Sunderland had impressed in the Premier League last season after promotion, finishing 12th, and were expected to be one of Ipswich's direct relegation rivals this year.
Team News
Manchester United began the new season with a number of injury concerns, with several players expected to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.
New signing Baleba arrived from Brighton during the week but will have to wait for his debut after picking up an ankle injury during Brighton's pre-season training camp in Austria.
Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte are also set to miss United's first home match of the season
Carrick confirmed that Amad Diallo will again be sidelined, having also missed the Hull defeat.
As for Ipswich Town, they made nine changes for their EFL Cup clash with Russell Martin's Leicester City, meaning further alterations are expected for their trip to Old Trafford.
Irish international Dara O'Shea was the only defender to retain his place in the back four and is likely to keep his spot, while Marcelino Nunez also started in midfield and scored twice, including an outstanding 45-yard strike. Both are expected to feature for the third successive match.
Clarke came off the bench to score against Sunderland and could be rewarded with a starting berth on Saturday, with Abdul Fatawu potentially dropping to the bench.
Ipswich have fewer injury concerns, although Azor Matusiwa and Florentino Luis remain unavailable, with the latter still waiting to make his debut for the club.
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Mainoo, Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup: Scherpen; O'Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Nunez, Lukic; Clarke, Enciso, Maeda; Emersonn
Match Details
Location: Manchester, England
Stadium: Old Trafford
Date: Sunday, Aug. 30
Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. BST / 18:30 EAT
Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Jarred Gillett
