Manchester United to secure victory over Ipswich

Manchester United seek their first victory when they host Ipswich Town at Old Trafford in the second round of the English Premier League.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed his anticipation for the team’s first home match of the season at Old Trafford, aiming to get back on the winning track.

Carrick emphasized that everyone is eager for the match, stating: “The first home game of the season is an event we are eagerly anticipating. We suffered a loss last week, and we want to return to delivering good performances and winning matches. We have a good squad of players and can choose from different combinations, with everyone competing strongly for a place in the lineup.”

He also addressed the new signing, Carlos Baleba, who recently joined from Brighton for £70 million, clarifying the nature of his injury: “He is dealing with a minor ankle issue that could keep him out for two or three weeks, but we were aware of this beforehand, so there is no major problem. It will be great to have him with us as soon as he is ready.” Meanwhile, Chelsea face Brighton, Leeds United play Brentford, and Sunderland take on Fulham.

In other news, French midfielder Rian Sharqi continued his outstanding form, leading Manchester City to a 4-1 victory over host Crystal Palace in the opening round of the Premier League, alongside his Norwegian teammate Erling Haaland.

Sharqi had previously saved City from defeat against Bournemouth in the opening round, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute and providing two decisive assists in the 84th and 90+1st minutes after falling behind by one goal, securing a 2-1 win for coach Enzo Maresca’s team.

Maresca rewarded the player, who was not a starter in former France national team coach Didier Deschamps’ plans for the 2026 World Cup, by making him a starter in the team’s first away match of the season.

After Norwegian Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a header from an Antoine Semenyo assist (17), Sharqi doubled the lead after receiving a pass from Phil Foden, advancing and shooting to the right of goalkeeper Dean Henderson (54). Crystal Palace returned to the match with help from City’s Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose body deflected a shot from Spanish player Yeremi Pino, which hit the crossbar and went in (56).

However, Sharqi restored the two-goal lead just three minutes later, from almost the same angle, after receiving a pass from Croatian Josko Gvardiol and firing a powerful shot from outside the box into the net (59). Eight minutes before the end of regular time, new signing, young Moroccan international midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi, came on for Elliot Anderson (82).

Haaland sealed the victory with a fourth goal six minutes before the end of the match, finishing off a decisive pass from Phil Foden with a close-range powerful shot (84).

Meanwhile, Spanish coach Andoni Iraola avoided defeat in his debut as Liverpool manager at Anfield, as compatriot Victor Munoz saved Liverpool from falling to a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest.

Forest were on track for a third consecutive win at Anfield, with Swiss player Dan Ndoye (24) and a penalty converted by Morgan Gibbs-White (70) giving the visitors the lead on two occasions.

Swedish player Alexander Isak (60) briefly brought Iraola’s team back into the match in the second half, before Munoz rescued a well-deserved late point with a goal that deflected before entering the net (82), marking Iraola’s second consecutive match since taking charge where his team avoided defeat.