Manchester United vs Ipswich Town: Premier League Preview, Team News, and Match Prediction

Manchester United face Ipswich Town at Old Trafford with the hosts badly in need of a win after a shock defeat in their opening game of the English Premier League season.

Michael Carrick was rewarded with the United job on a permanent basis after guiding the Red Devils to third in the Premier League last season during an interim spell in charge. However, the new campaign got off to the worst possible start for Carrick with a 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Hull last weekend. Meanwhile, Ipswich got off to a dream start in their first game of the season, winning 2-1 at home to Sunderland, and also saw off Leicester City 3-1 in the League Cup in midweek.

Carrick’s side gets early reality check at Hull

United arrived in Hull riding a wave of optimism, but they were ripped to shreds by the rampant Tigers as first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy caused a shock at the MKM Stadium. United were toothless in attack and inept at the back, allowing promoted Hull to celebrate their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence.

“We have a bit to improve on; it was never going to be perfect. Going behind makes it more difficult, against a promoted team at home,” Carrick said after the game. He added: “It is one game. First game of the season. It is disappointing enough, it hurts, of course it does. But it doesn’t change the whole course of direction the team is going in or the football club. We will stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week.”

New United signing Baleba out for three weeks

Carrick said Carlos Baleba will be unable to make his Manchester United debut for about three weeks due to an ankle injury, but that he is excited by the Cameroonian’s massive potential. Baleba’s 70-million-pound move from Brighton further bolstered Carrick’s midfield options after the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

“He’s got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks. We’ll see but we knew that before, so it’s no major issue but it’ll be great to have him back when we can,” Carrick said.

Ipswich earn cathartic win in first game of season

Jack Clarke’s late strike secured a cathartic victory for Ipswich Town, whose 2-1 win over Sunderland underscored the club’s desire to shake off the memories of a dismal 2024-25 Premier League campaign. “They pushed us on, they kept us going… We finished really strong and that’s a credit to the fans,” Ipswich captain Dara O’Shea said.

Prediction and Head-to-Head

The Opta supercomputer has made Manchester United the favourites, with a win probability of 66.4 percent. Ipswich were given a 15.3 percent chance of winning, while a draw was estimated at a likelihood of 18.3 percent. In past encounters, the two clubs have played 59 times, with United winning 30 games, Ipswich winning 19, and 10 matches ending as draws.

Team News

For United, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo, Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte are all set to miss the match through injuries. Ipswich have fewer injury concerns, although Azor Matusiwa and Florentino Luis are unavailable.