Bright start but the sun won't shine right away

DRAW SHOWS NEW BOSS HAS MUCH WORK TO DO

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

MANCHESTER United supporters had just started to serenade Ruben Amorim to KC and the Sunshine Band when Marcus Rashford swiftly scored. But it is not all sunshine and rainbows just yet.

United still lack the control and intensity their new head coach exudes or the swagger of their supporters spread across two tiers.

Amorim's debut draw is additional confirmation that this overnight sensation cannot work miracles overnight. In the 86th minute, he rebuked the collective for their inability to press.

An interval advantage for United would have been a travesty.

For the first 15 minutes, the red shirts were perfectly positioned and there was a glimpse of an identity in Amorim's 3-4-3 formation.

Yet Ipswich offered the greater goal threat and their 43rd-minute leveller had been coming.

Amorim resurfaced for the second half long before the United players. He pensively sat on the bench, swigging a bottle of water, deep in thought.

He wasted little time instructing substitutes to prepare. Another exceptional stop from Andre Onana convinced him to summon Luke Shaw and Manuel Ugarte in the 53rd minute. Neither galvanised United.

The players remain dilatory in their play and the deprogramming that began on Monday will have to continue in the coming weeks and months. As Amorim suggested at his introductory press conference, this United squad is more reactive than proactive.