Premier League - Ipswich Town vs Manchester United Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Ipswich Town v Manchester United


Sunday 24th November 2024 – 16:30

Portman Road






Pre-match Thoughts - Mike



We did it !! And what an amazing feeling it was as the full time whistle blew down at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. To finally get our first win of the season was massive, it gets the Monkey off our backs that all the so called experts love to keep harping on about, Twenty Two years and all that rubbish. By the close we had produced a magnificent afternoons work and it was without question richly deserved.

I have to say I thought our first half showing was excellent, as good as anything we've produced this season, from the second minute when their keeper thwarted Sammi Szmodics right through to the interval we created chances, caused them problems and for long spells dictated the game, yes they obviously had chances too, the best of which fell to Brennan Johnson early doors but he contrived to put it just wide of the post, Aro Muric was also having an inspired day with Two or Three good saves. Our goals were so well worked and executed, the combination of Cajuste, Johnson & Delap linked up well to fashion a cross from which Szmodics guided home a sublime overhead kick to send the Town fans into delirious celebrations, yes the Spurs defence stood off but it takes nothing away from the build up and finish.

Spurs players and fans alike looked stunned as Town went for the jugular and despite the home having a chance of their own we incredibly scored a second ten minutes after the opener. This time a surging run from the inspired Omari Hutchinson left Spurs players trailing in his wake before finding Leif Davis wide on the left, the full back played in the ever willing Szmodics who's cross found it's way to Liam Delap who was not going to miss from Six Inches, yes a Spurs defender again looked to be lacking but our approach play carved them open. As the half time whistle sounded and once I had stopped dancing around the lounge I remember thinking surely we can't mess this up again and do another Brentford !

The second half was always going to have it's difficult moments and so it proved, with Son, Solanke & Bentancur causing us problems at the back we had to defend well and defend we did. I find it funny that I keep reading how we got the luck with VAR this time after Solanke's goal was ruled out for hand ball. Luck ? Really ? Nothing lucky about it, a straightforward and correct decision given the rules of the game, doesn't come close to rectifying how we were cheated against Leicester I'm afraid. All the same it was a warning that Spurs were not done just yet.

Town were battling with everything they had and looked to be doing everything right until midway through the half Spurs pulled One back, from a corner Bentancur lost Axel Tuanzebe to plant his header passed a stranded Muric, cue the palpitations and nerves to ramp up Ten fold. Changes were made as Town needed fresh legs to see this out, time was ticking down, Muric was playing a blinder by catching ball after ball and every time he fell to the ground to take up valuable seconds, the home fans were booing him but it didn't affect the big man One bit.

Timo Werner had made a big difference to Spurs since coming on and he had a good chance to level but fired it over the bar, Incredibly thought with added time approaching Town seemed to have weathered the storm and were running the clock down quite comfortably. Eight Minutes !!!! FFS no I shouted at the top of my voice, with about a minute left Muric pulled off a great block to thankfully see us over the line to the precious win we craved.

Hutchinson fell to the floor, the bench hugged each other like we'd won the cup, it felt that good to be fair, players congratulated each other with the biggest of smiles on their faces and the fans, well, they were just a sea of limbs as the celebrated in such emotional scenes, they had sung their hearts out all afternoon and were justly rewarded. yes to most of the watching world it was just a win, nothing more, to us it was everything, the catalyst to kick on a climb the table, we all know we should be at least Five points better off so we need not fear this Division as we'd just won at One of the hardest places to go and win.

I thought to a man we were excellent, Muric in goal had by far his best game and caught and blocked almost everything, the full-backs Davis & Johnson defended so well and supported the attack, both having a hand in the goals, Burgess, Tuanzebe and O'Shea were solid throughout, the latter had a blinder in the second half. Sam Morsy did what he does, battling away, getting stuck in with tackles and blocks, the finesse of Cajuste alongside him was a joy to watch at times, they complimented each other so well. Hutchinson was excellent, as was the ever willing Szmodics who ran his socks off and Liam Delap is just colossal, with his power and pace and general work rate and awareness. A real team effort.

We move on with bags of confidence and belief, it doesn't get any easier either as Manchester Utd come to town this Sunday and they bring the Sky Cameras with them. Even a stuttering Manchester United are formidable opponents and with a new Manager bounce too this promises to be a tough game, That said I fancy us to turn up here and get something, our tails will be up, we now know we can mix it with the big boys and come out on top, we've more than matched Spurs and Villa, are Man Utd any better ? I don't believe they are.

We are still keeping ourselves above the bottom Three which is all we all hope for come May and as such we are on track, however, we need to give ourselves a buffer, the fixtures this weekend look tough for most of our fellow relegation rivals and if we could just turn in another unexpected result it could turn out to be a fantastic weekend for our beloved Blues. I just have this feeling in my gut we are going to enjoy Sunday evening. COYB'S.



The Opposition – Manchester United - Honours




Domestic


First Division/Premier League:

1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13

Second Division :

1935–36, 1974–75


Cups


FA Cup:

1908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2015–16, 2023–24

Football League Cup/EFL Cup:

1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2022–23

FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield:

1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 (* shared)


Continental


European Cup/UEFA Champions League:

1967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08

European Cup Winners' Cup:

1990–91

UEFA Europa League:

2016–17

UEFA Super Cup:

1991

FIFA Club World Cup:

2008

Intercontinental Cup:

1999




The Manager – Ruben Amorim








League Table as at 19.11.2024








Form Guide



Ipswich Town




5 Oct West Ham Utd 4 - 1 Ipswich Town

19 Oct Ipswich Town 0 - 2 Everton

26 Oct Brentford 4 - 3 Ipswich Town

2 Nov Ipswich Town 1 - 1 Leicester City

10 Nov Tottenham 1 - 2 Ipswich Town





Manchester United


6 Oct Aston Villa 0 - 0 Manchester Utd

19 Oct Manchester Utd 2 - 1 Brentford

27 Oct West Ham Utd 2 - 1 Manchester Utd

3 Nov Manchester Utd 1 - 1 Chelsea

10 Nov Manchester Utd 3 - 0 Leicester City







Head to Head






Match Referee – Anthony Taylor







IPSWICH TOWN 2 MANCHESTER UNITED FC 1

[Bluemike]

Found out today that Leif Davis was supposed to do the Christmas lights switch on Sunday evening but withdrew with illness, hoping he's OK for Sunday.

[marko69]

I know the club have played Liverpool, Citeh, Villa, Spurs ......, but THIS one makes it REALLY feel like the EPL. League One Cheltenham days to Manchester United! Thought I'd give them the respect and say their real name.

This is the one I've personally been waiting for. My wee sister has been married to the Manure Bro-in Law for double figures amount of years. (The respect didn't last long!) Ipswich Town have always been 2nd or 3rd tier since before they met. He's convinced away win. Can only pray that ITFC thump them. Make the Winchester born bloke cry tears of grief. (He cries at football apparently....., my sisters words in the past, "I love him dearly, but...., he's an arsehole!")
So....., COME ON, ITFC, make the arsehole cry.

Ipswich 2
Manure 0

REF:

"Look, I know it was over the line by that much ok, but I cannot go against VAR. They're all employed by Manchester United in that VAR room. My hands are tied on this one"

[ITFC2024]

ITFC 9 ManU 0. Yes I’m drinking! But…

[Charnwood]

Amorim’s preferred formation at Sportng has been 3:4:3. It will be interesting to see if he deploys this at United.

[valleyroad]

If only Ten Hag could have stayed till this match. Really can't see anything other than Man U win tbh. New manager and well up for this match.
0-3 for me !
I did say the same before Spurs match though so here's hoping.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

well, I said on here before the Spurs game that I would play 3-4-3 to counter Spurs in midfield, and whilst I didn't really think that KM would alter his preferred formation, he did and look what happened.

For the MU game, I would again tweak the formation slightly to reflect that we are at home and to counter the strengths that MU have - so I'd go with 3-5-2. For me, Cajuste HAS to start.

Either way, so long as we don't revert back to 4-2-3-1, I'm pretty confident we can win this one.
Town 2 - MU 1.

[shabba]

Agree - I really hope we stick with the formation from the Spurs game.

I feel we will need to be at our very best to get any points this season and if up against the big sides then we also need them to have an off day, this was the mix for the spurs result.

Will just enjoy it and see what happens. I think there manager will play 343 and have 2 attacking midfielders behind a striker.

Be interesting to see our line up, if go with the same that started vs Spurs but if greaves is fit he maybe should come in.

[Bluemike]

My line up would be....

Muric

Tuanzebe
O'Shea
Greaves
Davis

Johnson
Morsy
Cajuste

Hutchinson
Delap
Szmodics

Again and as stated, depends if Greaves is fit
Also hope whatever sickness Davis had has cleared up

I was not completely sure about Johnson and O'Shea prior to Spurs but they both really impressed me in the changed formation.

I do wonder if KM will feel compelled to bring Phillips back for Cajuste, I really hope not.

I can see Hirst, Chaplin and J. Clarke getting a vital 20 minute run out, assuming the former is fit.

[marko69]

ITFC 9 ManU 0. Yes I’m drinking! But…

I'm sure we'll all be happy enough when goal number 8 goes in, 24......., but goal number 9 will be a proper bounce. And number 10? Well, off the charts!

[ITFC2024]

If only Ten Hag could have stayed till this match. Really can't see anything other than Man U win tbh. New manager and well up for this match.
0-3 for me !
I did say the same before Spurs match though so here's hoping.

I thought the Spurs match would be a thrashing! It really depends what ITFC shows up. We'll be home, but we were miserable against Everton. I'm hoping the Spurs win will spur us on to play well again. I think it will take a while before ManU's new manager turns things around (fingers crossed).

Agree with Bluemike's lineup...also agree Cajuste should keep his spot. It will be a blow if Davis isn't fit; I think he'll be ok though. He's not gonna miss playing ManU at Portman Road.

Please, please, please just play the good football we know we can and don't give away silly goals!

[ITFC2024]

ITFC 9 ManU 0. Yes I’m drinking! But…

I'm sure we'll all be happy enough when goal number 8 goes in, 24......., but goal number 9 will be a proper bounce. And number 10? Well, off the charts!

Well goal number 9 would certainly raise some eyebrows.

[hallamblue]

Man U were motoring under RVN. Now he’s gone and the new boy and his whole backroom staff and pulled into the club…. New ways, new formations, different combinations, tactics all to get a grip of by the Utd players this week (most of their players have been away on international duty so little chance to get together?), so it might be a ver6 good time to play Utd. McKenna knows those players very well…advantage McKenna?

Town 2 Utd 1

[ITFC2024]

More I think about it, I think Chappers may get the start against ManU because Szmodics is returning from international duties with a slight injury.

Now, if indeed Chaplin starts in the #10 role will that eliminate Johnson on the right because Hutch will be there? Also, who plays on the left? I hope it’s not Clarke!

Food for thought…

What if (and this is only pure speculation) Cajuste plays on the left, and Phillips resumes his role as defensive MF?

[Blue Wilf]

Loads of optimism on here which is great. Heart says 2-1 Town but head says 1-3 Utd... lets hope the wins the day! COYB's!

[Bluemike]

45mph winds and rain all day, should be a farce.

[shabba]

More I think about it, I think Chappers may get the start against ManU because Szmodics is returning from international duties with a slight injury.

Now, if indeed Chaplin starts in the #10 role will that eliminate Johnson on the right because Hutch will be there? Also, who plays on the left? I hope it’s not Clarke!

Food for thought…

What if (and this is only pure speculation) Cajuste plays on the left, and Phillips resumes his role as defensive MF?

If they play the 343 we did against spurs then it’s a front 3 of Chaplin, Omari and Delap if your prediction is correct, Johnson will play right wing back still.

I think Szmodics will start though

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

From what I've read, Man u will almost certainly line up with 3-4-3, therefore my lineup would be as follows:

Muric

Tuanzebe
Greaves
O'Shea

Hutchinson
Morsy
Chaplin
Cajuste
Davis

Delap
Szmodics

[Bluemike]

It's a good line up Rossi, I had Johnson instead of Chaplin but quite happy with your selection

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

It's a good line up Rossi, I had Johnson instead of Chaplin but quite happy with your selection

I would stick to your line-up, Mike, if we play 3-4-3: but if we go 3-5-2 then I think we have to find a place behind the front 2 for Chaplin

[Bluemike]

Yep I agree

[marko69]

I reckon it could start with a 3-4-3...., then after 1 minute, a 2-5-3...., then a few minutes later, a 3-4-3, ......, then a 1-7-2, ....., then a 4-2-4......, then a 6-2-2......, then a 4-5-1...... 5-1-4......, 2-2-6....

Just saying that if its 45mph winds......, could be a large formation of formations. Telling ye, if Kieron doesn't recommend weighted socks, then he can GTF!!

[Mauswara]

With the seagulls flying sideways at kick-off this might be quite fun.

[Cabanas Blue]

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-new ... -of-sunday

Not great news

[Bluemike]

Well Hirst would have done 20 mins max so maybe Broadhead gets a chance, I suspect Delap is gonna be a busy boy until January. Phillips I'm not so worried about tbh.

[hallamblue]

Why in earth did Hirst continue playing when he went down injured at Spurs?? He did the same thing when he got that hamstring injury…. Undoubtedly making both injuries worse.

The squad is hit with nasty injuries….
Delap one booking away from a ban,(along with about four other Town players I think)
Al - Hamadi unlikely to provide adequate cover.

This Club will definitely be buying or bringing in players in Jan window now .

[Bluemike]

Is Delap one booking away ? I knew Hutchinson and Morsy are.

[shabba]

Is Delap one booking away ? I knew Hutchinson and Morsy are.

He often gets what seem pointless bookings

[AzzurroMark]

Is Delap one booking away ? I knew Hutchinson and Morsy are.

Moray and Omari are both on 4 bookings according to the EADT, who also report this -

Striker Liam Delap thankfully has a bit more leeway. He’s on three bookings, so can pick up one more without any consequences. There’s a realistic chance of him making it all the way to matchday 19, but his style of play would probably say otherwise.

[hallamblue]

Oh well that’s good if he is on 3 and not 4… I thought I read somewhere that he was a booking away from a ban… what the hell is he picking up bookings for anyway?