Who: Manchester United vs Ipswich Town What: English Premier League Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom When: Sunday, August 30, at 4:30pm ( ) How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up from before our live text commentary stream United face Ipswich Town with the hosts badly in need of a win after a shock defeat in their opening game. Michael Carrick was rewarded with the United job on a permanent basis after guiding the Red Devils to third in the Premier League last season during an interim spell in charge. However, the new campaign got off to the worst possible start for Carrick with a 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Hull last weekend.
Meanwhile, Ipswich, who were also promoted from the Championship last season, got off to a dream start in their first game of the season, winning 2-1 at home to Sunderland. Ipswich also saw off Leicester City 3-1 in the League Cup in midweek and will fancy their chances of springing an upset against the Red Devils. A defeat for United would see them become the first team in Premier League history to start a season with back-to-back losses against promoted sides.
United arrived in Hull on Saturday riding a wave of optimism that had not washed over Old Trafford for years. But they were ripped to shreds by the rampant Tigers as first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy caused a shock at the MKM Stadium. United were toothless in attack and inept at the back, a fatal combination that allowed promoted Hull to celebrate their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence – and a first league win over United for 52 years.
Going behind makes it more difficult, against a promoted team at home,” Carrick said after the game. He added: “It is one game. First game of the season. It is disappointing enough, it hurts, of course it does.
We will stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week.” Carrick said Carlos Baleba will be unable to make his Manchester United debut for about three weeks due to an ankle injury, but that he is excited by the Cameroonian’s “massive potential”. Baleba’s 70-million-pound ($95m) move from Brighton further bolstered Carrick’s midfield options after the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. But United could have to wait until October to see Baleba in action as he faces a race against time to return before a three-week international break next month.
We’ll see but we knew that before, so it’s no major issue but it’ll be great to have him back when we can,” Carrick said at his pre-match news conference before Ipswich’s visit. I think [he has] huge potential, massive potential. I think he’s a really exciting signing for us.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
