LONDON: A mere 81 seconds is all it took for Marcus Rashford to present new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim with a welcoming opening goal. In the end, however, a 1-1 draw at promoted Ipswich meant he is the only one of Sir Ferguson’s successors to start his reign with a draw.

Amorim also had the welcome returns after injury of Luke Shaw and Mason Mount but he also saw the size of his task in a league where no opponents will make life easy for him.

Amorim had sought to reassure owners, players, media and fans that he was “the right man in the right moment” and would not change the tactical approach which had worked so well for him at Sporting Lisbon.

This meant 3-4-3 with Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans at the back, Amad Diallo, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Diogo Dalot in midfield then Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes supporting Rashford up front.

Amorim, 39, had told his pre-match conference of his ambition and confidence. He had said: “I’m a dreamer and I believe in myself, in the club and also in the players. I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”

The challenge for Amorim in the next three years is to build a squad and team to win a first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. The evidence at Portman Road was that United had a recognisable game plan by contrast with the confused legacy of Erik ten Hag.

Amorim’s players could not have made a better start in trying to impress their new boss. Amad Diallo accelerated down the right and crossed for Rashford to score only his second league goal of the season. It was a welcome reminder for United of the old Rashford who has struggled for form ever since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Ipswich were not intimidated. Just before halftime Andre Onana made a fine save from Liam Delap but could not deny a deflected shot from Omari Hutchinson, the England under-21 winger.

Onana foiled Delap again at the start of the second half as United fell back into their Ten Hag-style lethargy. Amorim tried to shake up the mix by calling up Manuel Ugarte in midfield plus Rasmus Hojund and Joshua Zirkzee in attack. Ipswich not only held them at bay but kept Onana busier than Amorim might have enjoyed.

At least United are five games unbeaten since Ten Hag’s departure. Next up fvor Amorim will be his home defeat against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.

######