Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United came from behind to thrash Ipswich Town 5-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday and secure their first Premier League victory of the season.
United, looking to recover from a 2-0 defeat to Hull in their opening game, fell behind after 29 minutes when Leif Davis fired Ipswich ahead.
But Fernandes dragged Michael Carrick’s side level before half-time, blasting home with his weaker left foot after Marcelino Nunez lost possession and Matheus Cunha supplied the pass.
United completed the turnaround in the second half when Jacob Greaves inadvertently diverted Harry Maguire’s effort into his own net.
The goal survived scrutiny despite the ball striking Maguire’s arm because his shot was heading off target before Greaves’ deflection.
Greaves’ afternoon worsened moments later when he brought down Cunha inside the area.
Fernandes stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty to put United 3-1 ahead.
The Portuguese midfielder completed his hat-trick from close range after reacting quickest to Bryan Mbeumo’s deflected effort.
Fernandes then turned provider, sending Mbeumo through with a pass over the Ipswich defence before the forward lifted the ball over goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen for United’s fifth.
The performance capped an influential afternoon for the United captain, who was recently named last season’s player of the year by his fellow professionals.
Marcus Rashford was handed his first Manchester United start in nearly two years as Carrick made four changes to the team beaten by Hull.
Kobbie Mainoo also returned to the starting line-up, with both England internationals helping United produce a much-improved attacking display.
However, defensive concerns remained.
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens denied Julio Enciso in a one-on-one situation before Ipswich opened the scoring.
Abdul Fatawu beat Luke Shaw for pace on the wing before delivering the cross from which Davis swept the ball into the net.
Davis then missed an opportunity to double Ipswich’s advantage when his effort was saved by Lammens.
Ipswich grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time after Lisandro Martinez was dispossessed by Enciso, who set up Chuba Akpom to tap into an empty net.
Despite the late setback, United held on comfortably to complete a 5-2 victory and bounce back from their opening-day defeat.
