Man United 5-2 Ipswich PLAYER RATINGS: Which star was badly exposed despite victory? Who put in a 'gem' of a performance? And how did Marcus Rashford fare on return to starting XI?

Manchester United sent an emphatic response to their critics with a 5-2 demolition job of Ipswich Town in the pouring rain.

Michael Carrick cut a concerned figure in his technical area when Leif Davis fired the newly-promoted side into the lead at the Stretford End.

But, with a the help of Bruno Fernandes’ second-half hat-trick, United have got their season up and running, and still had time to put the gloss on it with a lovely chip from Bryan Mbeumo.

Daily Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT was in position at a soaked Old Trafford to run the rule over both sets of players...

MAN UNITED (4-2-3-1)

Senne Lammens - 7.5

Week by week you just cannot understate just how important Senne Lammens is to Manchester United. He was let down by his team-mates at Hull and had to bail out more mistakes ahead of him here when he denied Julio Enciso one-v-one with his left knee, and then denied Daizen Maeda full stretch to his left after he was set clear by Davis. Looks an even greater transfer market steal with every game.

Diogo Dalot - 6

Drew a fine save out of Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen 13 minutes in on his left foot after a brilliant cut-back on the edge of the box. But Ipswich got in far too many times down his side. Makes a lot of good runs in attacking areas but needs to shore up the right side with tougher games ahead.

Harry Maguire - 7

His experience and composure under pressure really goes a long way to helping United navigate storms that continually seem to come their way. United were rocked by Ipswich’s opener and an unruffled Maguire was key to turning it around. He helped shift the momentum with a low strike that went in via Jacob Greaves’ right heel and made some crucial defensive headers when Ipswich looked to counter. Well worth the new deal he inked in the summer.

Lisandro Martinez - 6

Had a lot of the ball as he came into the starting line-up in place of Ayden Heaven and did his best to try and split the lines as he so often does here. Shook his head when a lapse in concentration saw him robbed of possession in stoppage time as Ipswich added a late consolation. Felt like a night where he was just getting some rhythm back and will only get better as the games go on.

Luke Shaw - 5.5

An afternoon which badly exposed Luke Shaw’s lack of pace and exactly why United have spent all summer scouring the left back market. He was bailed out by Lammens first time when Enciso went past him but didn’t get the same fortune when Abdul Fatawu breezed beyond to tee up Davis for the opening goal. His body cannot compete with the league’s fastest wingers - but he’s being hung out to dry this season if they don’t get another left back.

Youri Tielemans - 6

A lovely footballer who showed glimpses here that he can pass through the eye of a needle. But the frenetic first half highlighted that to get the very best version of Tielemans, Carrick and his staff need to put legs and runners around him, just as Aston Villa did, so as not to expose his lack of pace. Play to his strengths, don’t make him cover acres of space and thus highlight his weaknesses.

Kobbie Mainoo - 8

A gem of a performance. This was the type of front-footed, physical performance that had fans screaming all sorts of obscenities at former head coach Ruben Amorim for not picking Mainoo, and why so many fans were perplexed he didn’t kick a ball at the World Cup. After United were so poor at Hull, Mainoo showed why he simply has to be in a first-choice XI moving forward.

Bryan Mbeumo - 6

Capped the rain-soaked day off with a brilliant goal, chipping 6ft9’ Scherpen and deserves credit for that. But he should still expect some unimpressed glances from team-mates when this game is reviewed. Gave up on his defensive responsibility to allow Davis to be unmarked to score his first Premier League goal since November 2024. Didn’t track Davis again for another, but got away with it. Was left aghast when he missed from two yards out as Marcus Rashford’s cross was kneed up onto the crossbar. Has moments of quality - as he showed with the goal - but cannot neglect the basics. Booked. 

Bruno Fernandes - 9.5

Laughable really that the fact he won last season’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year was even a discussion point and here was another example of just how brilliant he is. His first was empathic on the breakaway. His second came from the penalty spot and the third he ghosted in to convert a blocked Mbeumo shot. He even had time to produce a stunning clipped cross over the top which Mbeumo converted to finish with three goals and an assist.  Where would Manchester United be without their Portuguese genius?

Marcus Rashford - 7

Starting for Manchester United for the first time in 626 days, he’d have been forgiven for having some reservations about the reception he’d get back at Old Trafford. He need not have worried. Rashford worked hard at both ends and deserved a goal for his contribution down the left. An enormous upgrade on Patrick Dorgu’s display at Hull.

Matheus Cunha - 7.5

Constantly busy and never wants to give players a moment’s rest, which is what United need. Not sure he’s best suited to playing through the middle but he works hard and his expertly played pass through for Fernandes after Nunez’s costly slip in the United half was one of the plays of the game.

MANAGER: Michael Carrick - 8

Had to face a barrage of criticism after the abject. Nature of the defeat at Hull City and this would have felt particularly sweet on the back of it. Was vindicated with his changes as Dalot, Rashford, Mainoo and Martinez all improved a United side that went for the jugular here.

Ipswich (4-2-3-1)

Scherpen 6.5; O’Shea 4, Diop 5, Greaves 3, Davis 7; Núñez 5 (Palacios 65, 6), Lukić 5 (Ouattara 73); Fatawu 7 (McAteer 83), Enciso 6.5, Maeda 6 (Furlong 73); Emersonn 5 (Akpom 46, 6.5)

Goals: Davis (29), Akpom (90+1)

Booked: Lukic, Fatawu, Greaves

Manager: Gary O’Neil 6