Key Points
- Tricky test as odds-on favourites awaits new manager
- Ex-City sharpshooter Delap to hurt United?
- Entertaining game is highly likely
Ruben Amorim’s first game as new Manchester United manager sees him face a trip to Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich this Sunday.
The Portuguese head coach is looking to continue the good work interim boss Ruud van Nistelroy produced in his 4 games in temporary charge following the departure of Erik ten Hag. Amorim takes over a United side in 13th place after 11 PL games and without an away win since mid-September and faces a huge challenge to get them back to where they once were.
The Tractor Boys claimed their first win of the season prior to the international break after a shock 2-1 victory away at Tottenham which lifted them out of the relegation zone and a point above Crystal Palace in 18th.
Amorim mission starts in Suffolk
For 39-year-old Amorim, it’s arguably one of the most difficult jobs in world football at the moment trying to lift United from the malaise of the last few years and I don’t expect things to start changing straight away.
A visit to the East will present him with McKenna’s side who have been competitive throughout the campaign so far. Ipswich will be looking to follow up their last win with a result in front of what I expect to be a raucous crowd at Portman Road when The Red Devils come to town.
The Portuguese coach inherits a team who have won just 4 times all season and only 1 of these victories has come on the road, so will need to hit the ground running to get the fans on side in my opinion.
When he took over at Sporting Lisbon back in 2020, there were problems between the board and the fans, very similar to the off-field issues at Manchester United in recent years. Yet Amorim turned their fortunes around and managed to win 2 league titles, the first of which came 19 years on from Sporting’s last title, as well as the Taca de Liga.
Ipswich looking to spring more surprises
One thing you can’t deny about McKenna’s Ipswich is the team spirit they have throughout the squad, built up from a core group of players together since the northern Irish man took charge back in December 2021. This has been reflected in the majority of their performances so far this season, with The Tractor Boys competitive in almost every game, especially in front of their own supporters at Portman Road.
This is what I feel gives them a fighting chance of avoiding relegation and what will stand them in good stead throughout the campaign. There are no egos in the team and every player seemingly wants to play for one another - a togetherness which can only have increased following the win at Spurs.
Shots, shots, shots!
Despite only collecting 5 points from their 5 away games in the PL this term, United have amassed a total of 73 shots at goal, including 20 in the game at St. Mary’s against Southampton so certainly aren’t afraid to pull the trigger.
The Tractor Boys, meanwhile, have managed a total of 50 shots against visiting sides in their 5 matches at Portman Road and this is something I see continuing during Sunday’s clash as both sides I feel will go for the win.
In fact, The Red Devils have had over 12.5 shots at goal in almost half of their fixtures and average 14.6 shots per game when playing against sides away from Old Trafford.
Ipswich were racking up the shots against Spurs before taking the lead, the game state then dictated they play more conservatively. However, I would foresee a more attacking approach as the home team regardless of the score until very late in the game.
Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes have had the highest number of shots for United with 22 and 21 shots respectively. They should be starting this fixture and along with their teammates, should be all-out to impress.
New manager bounce?
Looking into the markets available for the Sunday showdown in Suffolk, I don’t see this being a straightforward and clear-cut result for United by any stretch. Despite The Tractor Boys still awaiting their first home win back in the top flight for 22 years, I am drawn to the ‘double chance’ market and Ipswich-Draw best priced at 5/4 with
Betfred.
Ipswich have made every side earn a result against them, perhaps with the exception of the defeat away to West Ham. Twin this with their attacking approach to try and win and I do feel this could pay off. Likewise, Ipswich with a +2 goal handicap start, best priced at 1/2 with bet365 also looks fair for those that like a short price.
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Cautiously avoid picking a winner here
I think there has to be some caution shown in terms of picking a winner in this one due to the new manager playing a different shape. Amorim’s first assignment could see a marked lift in United’s performances so far this season. It will have to be a watching brief of at least 4 or 5 games before betting for or against them.
A couple of shots with Boyle Sports and Bet365
One bet that shouldn’t be negatively affected by the new manager appointed is Total Match Shots. I can’t get away from the ‘total number of shots’ in the game being over 26.5 at best price of 19/20 with
BoyleSports.
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The way McKenna sets up and the striving to impress from United should lead to an entertaining match. The likes of the aforementioned Garnacho and Fernandes have adopted a ‘shoot on sight’ policy throughout the season so far and on the other side Ipswich’s Liam Delap not afraid to test the goalkeeper.
As a result, it has all the makings of being a game where both keepers will have to be on their toes as the shots fly in at both ends of the pitch. I’ll chance a smaller stake on the game really opening up too by taking an alternate total of over 30.5 at 3/1 with
bet365.
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Ipswich vs Manchester United Best Bet
- Market:
Match Total Shots
- Selection:
Over 26.5
- Odds:
19/20
- Stake:
0.75pt
- Bookie:
BoyleSports
- Market:
Match Total Shots
- Selection:
Over 30.5
- Odds:
3/1
- Stake:
0.25pt
- Bookie:
bet365
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