Manchester United will ‘suffer for a long time’ to win the match – Ruben Amorim

George Sessions, Pennsylvania

Ruben Amorim served a plate of humble pie and admitted Manchester United will be “suffering for a long time” after their 1-1 Premier League draw with Ipswich on his debut as manager.

Amorim got off to the perfect start when Marcus Rashford put the visitors ahead in the 81st second at Portman Road thanks to some superb work from makeshift right wing-back Amad Diallo.

The 39-year-old expected United to spring into action but the opposite happened as Ipswich roared back and deservedly equalized through Omari Hutchinson’s deflected strike in the 43rd minute.

The visitors were ultimately indebted to goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made two outstanding saves either side of the break to deny Liam Delap from close range and ensure they did not taste defeat on Amorim’s big day.

While the former Sporting Lisbon coach was pleased with his players’ efforts, especially for the first time in his favored 3-4-3 system, he gave a dismal assessment of their immediate prospects.

“It’s hard to expect anything now. It seems that this is not a surprise, but it needs to be seen in the game. That’s why I was a little worried, because it’s impossible to understand what will happen in the game. I felt it,” Amorim reflected.

“Today I realized that they are trying, they really are trying. They stay in position, receive information and try to use it in the game. This is very important.

“Even in difficult moments, I felt that they were doing what we told them to do.

“I know it’s frustrating for the fans, but we’re changing so much at this point with so many games. We have to suffer for a long time and we will try to win matches. It will take time, but I know we need to win.

“We might have lost if it weren’t for Onana. We have to understand that and think and be pragmatic about the fact that it took two days of training for these guys to change so much.”

Amorim’s early big calls paid off when Diallo, in an unconventional full-back role, burst forward past Jens Cajuste’s rushing tackle to put Rashford, who was preferred in the centre, over Rasmus Hoylund.

Christian Eriksen soon fired wide of goal but Ipswich enjoyed a first-half lead and after Delap’s shot was wonderfully saved by Onana – following a pass from Leif Davies – Town got their reward when Hutchinson turned Casemiro and his shot He deflected the ball into the goal with his left foot. at Nussair Mazraoui.

A frenzied start to the second period, with Onana again denying Delap after he responded to Wes Burns’ cross, gave way to a lull before late chances for both teams were squandered as the game went all the way to Suffolk.

Amorim added: “We started very well, but then we need to have more possession of the ball.

“When we create a new structure, and you understand this clearly, they need time for there to be some flexibility in the game. I felt it, but it’s two training sessions (after the international break) and they did it.”

What also impressed Amorim was the busy Portman Road.

“Atmosphere, you guys are lucky,” he said with a smile.

“You have the best, by far the best league in the world and you see it every weekend, but to be honest when the game started it’s the same as the third (Portuguese) division, I’m so focused on the game and playing with my players on the field.”

Ipswich coach Kieran McKenna, who previously managed United’s under-18s, felt his newly promoted side could have beaten his old club and credited Onana’s sensational two saves to deny Delap.

“To be honest, I thought it was his head, but for him to save from that distance it’s an incredible save,” McKenna admitted.

“The save in the second half was probably big. I didn’t see it back but it was probably the clearest chance of the second half so it was a really good save.

“We probably had better chances, but the game was equal.

“We certainly felt we could have won, but there are big positives in the way we played.”