"Ipswich's win at Tottenham will give them real belief" - Chris Sutton makes score prediction for Ipswich vs Manchester United
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has predicted that Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United debut will end in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town on Sunday, November 24. Amorim, who took charge as United’s head coach on November 11, will take his side to Portman Road for his first Premier League encounter.
The Tractor Boys secured a shock 2-1 win over Tottenham on November 10, their first of the league season. Sutton believes that buoyant performance, combined with Manchester United’s potential rustiness after the international break, could result in an early hiccup for the Portuguese tactician.
Sutton wrote (via the BBC):
"Ipswich's win at Tottenham will give them real belief and they have had three draws already at home, so they will be competitive, especially if United are adapting to a new system - a lot of their players are coming back from international duty and haven't had time to work with Amorim."
Sutton highlighted Ipswich’s attacking weapons, particularly Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap. He added:
"United will have some defending to do because Sammie Szmodics is lively up front and Liam Delap is a handful too - his stats for goal involvements, including assists, is really impressive. Ipswich just need to stop being so careless defensively. If they do that, they could get something from this game."
The pundit also questioned whether Manchester United’s players would have had sufficient time to adapt to Amorim’s system. With several of their stars returning late from international duty, Sutton thinks the timing may favor Ipswich.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Manchester United's expected playing XI under Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim is expected to implement his 3-4-3 system at Manchester United, a formation that emphasizes controlled possession, high pressing, and defensive solidity through three center-backs.
Amorim's philosophy relies on fluid transitions and creating overloads in wide areas through advanced wing-backs. Under his management, the playing XI will likely reflect his preference for technically gifted and versatile players.
In goal, Andre Onana is poised to remain the first-choice keeper due to his exceptional distribution skills, aligning perfectly with Amorim’s need for a ball-playing goalkeeper.
The back three is expected to include Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez, with Victor Lindelöf potentially joining them. This defensive trio offers a balance of aerial strength, ball-playing ability, and composure under pressure. Luke Shaw could adapt as a left-sided center-back when needed, especially if Amorim opts for more attacking wing-backs.
In the wide areas, Luke Shaw is a strong candidate for the left wing-back role, while Diogo Dalot is expected to take up the right wing-back slot.
The midfield will likely feature Casemiro as the anchor, providing protection for the backline. Bruno Fernandes is expected to operate in a more advanced role, linking midfield to attack with his vision and creativity.
The front three could see Marcus Rashford occupying the left-wing position, where his pace and directness can stretch defenses.
Rasmus Højlund is likely to lead the line as the central striker, offering physicality and intelligent movement in the box. On the right, Alejandro Garnacho may be favored, although Joshua Zirkzee and Antony could also challenge for this role.
