Bruno Fernandes has challenged Manchester United to maintain their attacking intensity and “need to be hungry to score more goals” after helping the club secure their first Premier League victory of the season against Ipswich Town.
United responded strongly to their opening-day defeat to Hull City by producing a 5-2 comeback victory over Ipswich on Sunday, with Fernandes claiming a hat-trick.
Ipswich took an early lead through Leif Davis, but Fernandes levelled before half-time. United then moved ahead shortly after the restart when Jacob Greaves turned the ball into his own net.
Fernandes converted a penalty to extend United’s advantage before completing his hat-trick soon afterwards. Bryan Mbeumo added a fifth, while Chuba Akpom scored a late consolation for the visitors.
United registered 33 shots during the match, their highest total in a Premier League fixture since recording 38 against Burnley in October 2016.
Fernandes had eight attempts himself, matching his joint-highest tally in a Premier League match for United. He has also now recorded 17 goal contributions — eight goals and nine assists — across his last 15 league appearances against newly promoted teams.
“We were in control of the game and then conceded the goal, lost a bit of control after that, but then got back into the game, scored just before half-time and in the second half we were brilliant. We need to be hungry to score more goals,” Fernandes told BBC Sport.
“It is a great accolade for myself, but it is together with the team, because I couldn’t do any of that without them helping me.
“Obviously, it was a huge week and to end with a win at home was massive.
“I said before the game, to be honest, there are certain days you feel it. It is one of those days when everything comes to you, and you have to take it.
“We have to do it in both ways; when we lose, we can’t get carried away with the negative things.
“I hate losing, and it is difficult to be positive when you lose games, because at this club you want to be on top of everything and win games. It is very difficult for me to control the emotions.”
The result means United have won nine of their last 10 Premier League matches at Old Trafford in 2026, suffering just one defeat. Their 27 points at home this calendar year are more than those collected by any other Premier League side.
It was also the first time United had scored at least five league goals after conceding first since their 5-2 victory over Bournemouth in July 2020.
“It was a good win. It was a really good win in the end,” head coach Michael Carrick told Sky Sports.
“We played some really good football. The biggest thing today was the mentality of the boys to overcome setbacks. We’re going to have them, and it depends on how you deal with them.
“I was really pleased with that. It’s easy to look at the result, but the mentality and the stubbornness really pleased me.
“We controlled the game pretty well for the most part. A lot of our play was looking the way we wanted it to look. The boys took it on really well, and we were fabulous.”
For Ipswich, the defeat ended hopes of following up their dramatic opening-weekend win over Sunderland with another positive result.
They have now played seven Premier League matches at Old Trafford without a victory, drawing two and losing five — more games at any other ground without winning.
United’s second goal also sparked debate after the ball appeared to strike Harry Maguire’s hands before his effort was deflected into the net by Greaves.
“Really unlucky to be 2-1 down, really unlucky – two of the most unlucky goals you will see, but then not good enough to get back into it. We got punished by a very good side,” Gary O’Neil told Sky Sports.
“To beat Manchester United at Old Trafford you need the moments to go in your favour, and they didn’t. Rules can go against you, or a deflection; there are lots of things that can happen in a game that are beyond your control.
“It is a complicated rule – handball if it’s the goalscorer but not if it takes a deflection – and it was heading off the target. I think that is tough for a referee.
“But no problem. I’m not here to moan about refs. We get no points. At Old Trafford a lot of people leave with no points, but we leave with an understanding of where to get better.
“We have three points from two tough games. A good start for us. It is the Premier League, the lads understand there will be highs and lows. We don’t want there to be too many lows, but the lads are fine in there. They understand.”
