Fresh off a momentum-building victory, the Tractor Boys head to Old Trafford as Gary O’Neil weighs a tactical shift to exploit the vulnerabilities in Michael Carrick’s struggling side.
Manchester United face Ipswich Town on Sunday in their second match of the Premier League season. Michael Carrick's side will be hoping to return to winning ways after the disappointment of their opening day defeat to Hull City.
United return to Old Trafford for the first time this season, hoping to use the home advantage to help towards their first three points. Many expected the start of the campaign to be straightforward for United, but Hull proved to be a huge challenge, and fellow newcomers Ipswich could be an even bigger test.
The newly promoted side kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win over Sunderland at Portman Road. A late winner from Jack Clarke gave them a huge win to start the season, and it gives them momentum ahead of what will be a tough test for Gary O'Neil's side.
O'Neil was appointed this summer after Kieran McKenna left his role as manager. So far, the Tractor Boys have lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under O'Neil, but with Hull exploiting United's weaknesses with a back five, the Ipswich boss could look to change his approach.
O'Neil expects tough test
Speaking to the press ahead of Sunday's match, O'Neil was full of praise for Carrick and his side. He hinted his side could approach the match differently, given the opponents and atmosphere, as he showed his respect for this United side.
"This is one of the most talented groups in the country we face," said O'Neil. "I think they were the best team in the league, weren't they, for the second half of last season or from when Michael Carrick took over? They were an incredible force and Old Trafford always tests you.
"It's Man United away. We can't just go there and play some lovely football. We're going to have to scrap and fight and give everything we've got.
"Equally, there's absolutely no fear in this dressing room about what we're going into. There's respect for what a quality team they are, but we go there with a real belief in what we do and what we're building.
"It's a fantastic challenge for us, but we see it as an opportunity. We'll definitely be giving it a go."
His side have began their season with two wins from two, as they advanced in the EFL Cup this week against Leicester City.
"We've been really consistent with what we do. I have big belief in it. We've played a real similar way all of pre-season. We used it against Sunderland. We used it against Leicester. It's been successful. So we just carry it to Manchester United.
"We back ourselves to be ourselves.
"I've got a bit more prep to do because it's been a slightly shorter week with the Leicester game in the middle of it. But, at this moment, I don't see any reason why we can't go there and just be really consistent with what we've done so far."
O'Neil's thoughts on United's disappointing opener
Ahead of the second round of Premier League fixtures, Ipswich sit in 7th, with United 10 places below. It is vital that Carrick's side bounce back and get their season underway as there is only days before the transfer window closes.
Gary O'Neil also gave his thoughts on the defeat to Hull, claiming the result could have gone either way.
"I've watched the game. They could easily have won that game. Of course, a big thing will be made of it because Manchester United have lost at Hull. I understand the narrative will always be that.
"But if you watch the game without that emotion, you'll see the game could easily have gone a different way. Premier League games can be decided in little flashes and I'm sure Manchester United will come back from that defeat.
"Hopefully we go there this weekend and we manage to control them and we manage to have our own say in the game. But no doubt they're going to have a successful season from what I can see in the quality that they have."
The defeat was a huge shock for the league and an embarrassment for the club. Many fans have raised concerns over United's lack of transfer business this summer and that result only made it all worse.
Ironically, O'Neil's words could actually comfort United fans. He has noticed positives from what many considered a disastrous performance and still sees United as a huge threat. Any Manchester United team should be beating Hull City or Ipswich Town, meaning no disrespect, but the team's level of performance was way below good enough.
Returning to Old Trafford is a huge positive for United and hopefully they return to form with a good performance. Ipswich will be a tough match but United should have enough to earn their first three points of the season.
