Impressive statistics
From being led, Man United reversed the score to defeat Ipswich 5-2 at Old Trafford, with a hat-trick by captain Bruno Fernandes, a goal by Mbeumo and a own goal by Greaves. According to Opta, this victory has created impressive statistics.
Bruno Fernandes scored his second hat-trick in the Premier League - both took place in Man United's first home game in a Premier League season: the 2021-2022 season against Leeds United and the 2026-2027 season against Ipswich Town.
Bruno Fernandes has taken 10 shots this season, the highest number in the Premier League (along with Erling Haaland).
The Man United captain has a total of three hat-tricks for his team, including scoring three goals against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. That number helps him equal players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie and former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Bruno has scored in all 4 recent penalty kicks for Man United in the Premier League. The last time he did not score was on September 27, 2025 in a match against Brentford.
Jacob Greaves accidentally put the ball into the net after Harry Maguire's shot, helping Man United take the lead at the beginning of the second half. Statistics show that Man United have now benefited from more own goals than any other team in Premier League history (80), surpassing Liverpool (79).
Man United have scored 5 goals in a Premier League match for the first time since August 14, 2021, in a match against Leeds United (winning 5-1).
The Old Trafford team also made 33 shots in this match, the highest number in a single Premier League match since the beginning of last season.
Need more defenders
Gary Neville, former Man United player and English football commentator, emphasized that Michael Carrick's team needs to buy another center-back and a left-back before the summer transfer window closes this year.
Last season, Man United spent £170 million to reorganize the attack with Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo. This season, they also spent £155 million to bring in 3 new midfielders: Tielemans, Baleba and Santos. This strategy has initially been successful, but according to Neville, Man United needs to buy more defenders.
He said: "They have a few quite good individual defenders, but the four-man defense is not really solid, and when they start to put pressure and suffer some injuries in the season, they will easily fail. Michael Carrick understands that right now.
If they can recruit a center-back and a full-back before the transfer window closes, that will solve the problems that we know will definitely encounter.
According to Neville, recruiting "one or two defenders will completely change the situation in Man United's season". Currently, the Old Trafford team is seriously lacking a quality left-back. Only Luke Shaw is maintaining stable form, while Dorgu has been oriented to play higher. Mazraoui can play left-back but that is not an ideal option.
Carrick himself also left open the possibility of buying more defenders before the transfer window closes. He shared: "I think I am satisfied with the transfers I have made. Man United is a better team, a stronger squad and has the potential to become a better team. The addition of Marcus Rashford to the squad is like a new contract. I am satisfied with what has happened but still hope there will be more personnel additions. I do not rule out that possibility.
Man United is said to be targeting Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly, but these two players are very difficult to leave Newcastle and Arsenal. Another option is Ferdi Kadioglu of Brighton. According to international media, this deal is said to be about to be completed with a price of about 40 million pounds.
