Manchester United 3-0 Ipswich Town: Rooney, Pereira & Martial on target in comfortable win
The England international striker scored in the
first-half before the 19-year-old Belgian netted
his first goal for the club, with the Frenchman
rounding off the scoring Andreas Pereira marked
his first start with a goal as Manchester United
beat Ipswich Town 3-0 in the League Cup third
round.
The highly-rated Brazilian's second-half free-kick
was sandwiched by goals from Wayne Rooney
and Anthony Martial as United put in a
professional performance at Old Trafford.
Perhaps remembering the disappointment of last
season, when his side were embarrassed 4-0 at
MK Dons in the League Cup second round, Louis
van Gaal chose a strong XI featuring the likes of
Rooney and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The move paid quick dividends, too, as the
previously out-of-form Rooney netted in the 23rd
minute, his first goal in the competition since the
2010 final against Aston Villa.
Ipswich did not give up afterwards and had
threatened an equaliser prior to Pereira's sweet
strike in the 60th minute.
Martial then completed a good night's work by
coming off the bench to net a fourth United goal in
as many appearances since his deadline-day
move from Monaco.
The Premier League giants predictably assumed
immediate control against an Ipswich team
boasting 11 changes from their Championship
draw with Birmingham City.
Pereira looked bright from the off, forcing Bartosz
Bialkowski into a save when unleashing a
powerful effort from range.
That was the only real attempt of the opening
exchanges, however, as Ipswich held their own.
Yet that changed when Rooney put the hosts
ahead midway through the first half.
Daley Blind played a delightful long ball and, after
controlling impressively, the England captain ran
through before slotting between the legs of
Bialkowski.
Juan Mata was next to threaten when seeing a
half-volley saved by Bialkowski after lovely
interplay between Ashley Young and Marouane
Fellaini.
Ipswich came back into the game before half-
time and went close to levelling as Tommy Oar
shot narrowly wide.
Seemingly inspired by that moment, the visitors
flew out of the blocks after the interval -
epitomised by Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb just
failing to connect with David McGoldrick's superb
cross.
That appeared to awaken United, with Antonio
Valencia almost grabbing a second when
Bialkowski kept out his stinging effort.
The goalkeeper could only stand helpless a few
moments later, however, as Pereira curled in a
pin-point set-piece after Mata had been brought
down.
Not content, Van Gaal then brought on big-money
recruit Martial for his late cameo.
It was Pereira who continued to look the biggest
threat, the 19-year-old forcing another save from
Bialkowski in the 86th minute.
But Martial had the last word, running on to
Memphis Depay's chested lay-off and curling
confidently into the bottom corner.
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