(Source: Reuters)

Manchester United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town in Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim’s first match, with Marcus Rashford’s opening goal canceled out by Omari Hutchinson’s deflected strike in the Premier League.

There was an electric atmosphere at Portman Road but United silenced the home fans as they took the lead after 81 seconds through Rashford who slipped between two defenders to head the ball home after a brilliant running to Amad’s right.

United goalkeeper Andre Onana made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Liam Delap as half-time approached. However, Ipswich equalized in the 43rd minute as Hutchinson fired a shot into the top corner, aided by a deflection from visiting defender Noussair Mazraoui.

After the break, Ipswich striker Sam Szmodics almost scored with a backheel that Onana saved with his feet, but neither team could find a winner. The result leaves United in 12th place with 16 points, six of the top four. Ipswich are 18th with nine.

Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho were back in United’s starting line-up as Amorim, 39, made three changes from the win over Leicester City in their last game under the caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy two weeks ago.

Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman’s dismissal and United fans were eager to find out how he would change the line-up as the former Sporting manager attempted to bring success to the Old Trafford club after years of underperformance.

United’s players regrouped before kick-off, then started in a 3-4-2-1 with Mazraoui in the back three alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Evans.

It was United’s first visit to Ipswich in 22 years – with Van Nistelrooy scoring the only goal that day – but the hosts were stunned when the visitors took the lead through Rashford.

Amorim didn’t smile after the goal, knowing there was a long way to go and still a lot of work to do, but United fans were already chanting the Portuguese coach’s name.

Ipswich traded blows with United as they tried to get back level and after Eriksen sent a low shot wide, Szmodics shot for the home side. Garnacho also saw a weak effort go past the post before Hutchinson’s shot was blocked.

Then, five minutes before the break, Onana made a brilliant save to deny Delap from close range after excellent work down the left from Leif Davis who laid the ball across the box.

However, it didn’t take long for Ipswich to equalize and this time even Onana could do nothing to prevent Hutchinson’s deflected curler which found the top corner to delight singer Ed Sheeran and the rest of the home supporters .

Ipswich striker Szmodics almost gave the hosts the lead with his clever backheel from close range seven minutes into the second half as the Blues felt they could take three points.

The closest United came after that, however, was a Fernandes free-kick which sailed wide and it was Ipswich who almost fashioned a winner, but Conor Chaplin’s side foot was straight at Onana after a cross from his compatriot Jack Clarke.

A draw was ultimately the right result after United’s early start. It’s been 11 years since they won the Premier League under Alex Ferguson and after this latest low-key performance, Amorim have a lot of work to do to make them challengers again.