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Extra hardwork and unflinching determination were both required at their highest level for Manchester United to grind out a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town on Wednesday night. Despite being reduced to 10 men after Patrick Dorgu’s red card, United managed to secure three crucial points, lifting them to 14th place in the league.
The match began with a dramatic twist, as Dorgu’s ill-fated challenge gifted Ipswich an early goal. Philogene capitalized on the mistake, tapping the ball into an empty net after Dorgu had knocked the ball past on-rushing goalkeeper André Onana. The United players were left stunned, with Dorgu’s teammates visibly frustrated by his error.
The equalizer from United came soon after, courtesy of an own goal by Sam Morsy. Fernandes’s precise free-kick had caused chaos in the box, and Morsy’s unfortunate header into his own net drew the hosts level.
Center back, Matthijs de Ligt, sparked a comeback with a powerful header from Bruno Fernandes’s corner. Philogene once again equalized for Ipswich, as he swept a hopeful diagonal in front the right, Andre Onana hesitated, De Ligt and Liam Delap did not touch the ball, and in it bounced.
United took the lead for the first time in the match when former captain Harry Maguire smashed the ball into the roof of the net following a corner. The ball had careered about the box after Fernandes’s corner, with Alex Palmer saving Diogo Dalot’s shot before Maguire’s decisive strike. The home crowd erupted in joy, and United’s players seemed to gain a newfound confidence.
As United enjoyed a spell of control, Dorgu’s fierce effort almost earned redemption for the Danish Striker Hojlund, but Palmer was equal to the task, beating the shot away. However, Dorgu’s night took a turn for the worse when he received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Omari Hutchinson. The referee’s decision was met with little argument, as Dorgu’s tackle had been careless and endangering.
Despite being down to 10 men, United continued to press for goals. Maguire’s second header of the night, this time from a Fernandes corner, gave United a crucial and valuable lead.
As the match drew to a close, United’s players showed extraordinary resolve, defending valiantly to protect their advantage. The introduction of Casemiro and Noussair Mazraoui added fresh legs and helped United see out the victory.
This win would come in handy for United, who had been struggling to find form in recent weeks, and could well be a morale booster as Ruben Amorim’s side prepare to face Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.
