Manchester United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at lowly Ipswich Town in Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge as Marcus Rashford’s early goal was cancelled out by a deflected strike from Omari Hutchinson in the Premier League on Sunday.

There was an electric atmosphere at Portman Road but United silenced the home fans as they took the lead after 81 seconds through Rashford who stole in between two defenders to steer the ball home after a brilliant run down the right by Amad.

United keeper Andre Onana made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Liam Delap as halftime loomed but Ipswich equalised in the 43rd minute as Hutchinson curled a shot into the top corner helped by a deflection off visiting defender Noussair Mazraoui.

After the break Ipswich striker Sam Szmodics almost scored with a back-heel that Onana saved with his feet but neither side could find a winner. The result leaves United in 12th place with 16 points, six off the top four. Ipswich are 18th with nine.

“They are very good players but we have to improve physically, technically and tactically and we need time to do that,” Amorim said as the enormity of the task facing him at United was on show again in a lacklustre performance.

“It’s hard to expect anything now. It’s not a surprise but you have to see it … That’s why I was a little bit anxious because you can’t understand what will happen (until you’re) in the game,” the Portuguese coach told a press conference.

“They were trying but they were thinking too much in the game. That is normal. But we should have had more possession of the ball and kept more of the ball,” he added.

Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho were back in the starting lineup as 39-year-old Amorim made three changes from the win over Leicester City in their final match under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy two weeks ago.

Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked and the United fans were keen to find out how he would change the lineup as the former Sporting coach tries to bring success to the Old Trafford club after years of under-achievement.

UNITED HUDDLE

United’s players formed a huddle before kickoff and then started in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mazraoui in a back three alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Evans.

It was United’s first league visit to Ipswich in 22 years – with Van Nistelrooy scoring the only goal that day – but the hosts were stunned as the visitors went ahead through Rashford.

Amorim did not raise a smile after the goal knowing there was a long way to go and a lot more work to be done but the United fans were already singing the Portuguese coach’s name.

Ipswich traded blows with United as they tried to get back on level terms and after Eriksen sent a low shot wide Szmodics fired over for the home side. Garnacho also saw a low effort fly past the post before Hutchinson’s shot was blocked.

Then five minutes before the break Onana made a brilliant stop to deny Delap from point-blank range after fine work down the left by Leif Davis who laid the ball across the box.

It did not take long for Ipswich to equalise however and this time there was nothing even Onana could do to keep out Hutchinson’s deflected curler that found the top corner to delight singer Ed Sheeran and the rest of the home fans.

Ipswich striker Szmodics almost put the hosts in front with his clever back-heel from close range seven minutes into the second half as the Blues sensed they could take three points.

The closest United came after that though was a Fernandes free kick that sailed wide and it was Ipswich who almost fashioned a winner but Conor Chaplin’s sidefoot was straight at Onana after a cross by fellow substitute Jack Clarke.

A draw was about the right result in the end after United’s fast start. It is 11 years since they won the Premier League under Alex Ferguson and after this latest low key performance Amorim has plenty of work to do to make them challengers again.

-Reuters

The mountains in Monrovia, Liberia are set on fire by Mountain of Fire and Miracle Women Basketball Club who comprehensively beat hosts, Invisible Eleven by 112-42 points in one of the opening matches of FIBA Africa Women Basketball League Zone 3 Qualifiers on Tuesday.

The General Overseer of the Christian church that owns the club, Dr Daniel Olukoya promptly sent a congratulatory message even as the team prepares for another duel this Wednesday against champions of Cote d’Ivoire, Friends Basketball Association (FBA) of Cocody.

“Thank you for flying the Nigerian flag so proudly in Liberia with your big win. The MFM family expects more from you as always. We will continue to support you to reach your potential and be the best at what you do.”

Tuesday’s international friendly between the Super Falcons and Algeria’s Green Ladies at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos will now commence at 2pm, as against the earlier-advertised 4pm.

The Nigeria Football Federation explained on Sunday that the Algerian delegation has opted to commence their return journey on Tuesday night.

“This has necessitated us moving the match forward in order to finish the encounter early for them to prepare for their movement to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos for their return trip aboard Qatar Airways,” NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said.

The two international friendlies were put together by the Nigeria Football Federation to help the rebuilding process of the Super Falcons, following a below-par performance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer, and the departure of American gaffer Randy Waldrum.

Two magnificent goals by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade earned the Falcons a 2-0 win over the Algerians on Saturday. A good number of home-based professionals, including former U17 stars Miracle Usani, Chioma Olise and Goodness Osigwe showed great promise in an entertaining encounter at the Remo Stars Training Complex in Ikenne-Remo.

Farid Benstiti, Coach of the Green Ladies, told thenff.com that his youthful team will prove a handful for the Falcons on Tuesday, having learnt a couple of things during the game in Ikenne-Remo.

“We will be much better on Tuesday. My girls have seen and learnt a few lessons today. We will take those lessons on board and dig our feet into the ground against the Falcons on Tuesday.”