Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United manager began on a lacklustre note with a 1-1 draw against struggling Ipswich Town on Sunday.
The Portuguese manager — the latest figure entrusted with returning the club to the summit of English football — spoke before kick-off about the need for “patience”.
However, he had barely settled into his seat at a gusty Portman Road when Marcus Rashford turned in Amad Diallo’s precise cross, silencing the home crowd.
Ipswich, who started the day in the relegation zone, rallied to equalise just before half-time through Omari Hutchinson, a reward for their spirited efforts.
Neither side managed to find a winner in the second half despite opportunities at both ends, leaving both managers frustrated with the result.
The draw leaves United in 12th place in the Premier League, six points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal, while Ipswich remain in the relegation zone.
Before kick-off, two Manchester United supporters displayed a hand-made sign reading: “Good luck Ruben Amorim, Make our team great again.”
Amorim, formerly of Sporting Lisbon, succeeded Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed earlier in the season. He made three changes to the last line-up fielded by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy before the international break.
As anticipated, Amorim switched to a three-at-the-back formation, with Rashford leading the line as a lone striker, supported by captain Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.
United took an early lead within two minutes as Diallo powered down the right flank, brushing past Leif Davis and Jens Cajuste to deliver a pinpoint cross that Rashford finished from close range.
Amorim, dressed in a black coat and dark trousers, remained composed in his seat as United’s players celebrated in the corner.
Christian Eriksen narrowly missed doubling the lead in the seventh minute, firing just wide after another promising move from Diallo.
Ipswich, however, grew into the game, creating chances and looking increasingly threatening as the first half progressed.
In the 40th minute, the home side came close to equalising, but Andre Onana produced a superb save to deny Liam Delap at point-blank range before Cajuste blasted over the bar.
Ipswich’s persistence paid off just before the interval when Hutchinson unleashed a powerful strike that deflected off Noussair Mazraoui’s head and beat the diving Onana.
Among the 30,000-strong crowd, Ed Sheeran celebrated jubilantly in the stands.
Garnacho had an early chance to restore United’s lead after the break, but Arijanet Muric dived low to his left to make the save.
Onana again came to United’s rescue with a foot save from a Delap flick, while at the other end, Cajuste made a crucial interception to cut out a Garnacho pass to Rashford during a swift counter-attack.
Amorim introduced Luke Shaw and Manuel Ugarte for Jonny Evans and Casemiro around 10 minutes into the second half, but United continued to toil against a side with just one league win all season.
Later, forwards Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee were brought on in an attempt to inject fresh energy into United’s attack.
Bruno Fernandes narrowly missed with a free-kick from a central position, and Onana saved well from Conor Chaplin at the other end, but neither side could muster the quality to claim victory.
Amorim is United’s sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, following his 20th league title success.
At 39, Amorim is the youngest United manager since Wilf McGuinness succeeded Sir Matt Busby in 1969.
