Bruno, Bruno, Bruno!Where would Manchester United have been without their captain? Who knows, but definitely not in a good position.Today, when another setback against a newly promoted side started looming, the Portuguese stepped up and carried the team towards a vital 5-2 victory on his back like a true leader.Ipswich broke the deadlock through Leif Davis and played very well, better than United, but Bruno’s leveller five minutes before the break completely turned the tables.Indeed, a magician (©Dan Mullan/Getty Images)However, he had help embodied in the Tractor Boys’ defender Jacob Greaves, who scored an own goal in the 56th minute and conceded a penalty five minutes later, allowing Fernandes to complete a brace.His masterpiece continued in the 68th minute with his third goal and 14 minutes later, when he set up Bryan Mbeumo’s beauty for United’s crushing 5-2 win, as Chuba Akpom found the net in stoppage time to soften the blow for the visitors, at least slightly.The Red Devils captain is a treasure they cannot afford to lose. The magic he conjured up all over Old Trafford today is a testament to that.🚨🏴 | FULL-TIME: 🏁👤| BRUNO TAKES THE HAT-TRICK MATCH BALL AFTER A MASTERCLASS!Manchester United 5-2 Ipswich #MUNIPS pic.twitter.com/JMo5pNkoGM— HeroFPL هيرو (@HeroFPL1) August 30, 2026 After a nightmarish Premier League opener and a 2-0 defeat to Hull City, Manchester United looked set to suffer another déjà vu against fellow newcomers Ipswich Town.Just like last week, the Red Devils had the match under control, but gave their rivals too much freedom, allowing them to create more clear-cut opportunities.Chelsea score, concede, suffer, but win: Blues edge Brighton in seven-goal thrillerDiogo Dalot registered the first dangerous attempt 12 minutes into the game, but the Tractor Boys' keeper Kjell Scherpen made a fine stop. However, just a minute later, the home team's defence was caught off guard, as Julio Enciso made a magnificent solo run in a counterattack, and finished it with a decent attempt, but Senne Lammens came to the rescue.The Belgian was called into action again 10 minutes later, after Daizen Maeda's long-range strike, but was powerless to prevent Ipswich from breaking the deadlock in the 29th minute!Legendary Red Devil to Bruno: "Keep your mouth shut"Abdul Fatawu breezed past Luke Shaw and crossed the ball into the box, where Leif Davis met it first time and smashed it into the net.Minutes later, the visitors' left-back could have made it 2-0, but Lammens again saved United's skin.And just when Michael Carrick's side seemed completely lost and unable to find a way through Ipswich's resilient defence, Marcelino Nunez slipped and gifted the ball to Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian led a two-on-one counterattack, found Bruno Fernandes with a timely pass, and the Red Devils' captain equalized five minutes before halftime, allowing his team to go into the break on level terms.Bruno Fernandes' first half by numbers vs. Ipswich:38 touches23/25 successful passes4x possessions won4/5 accurate long balls3 touches in opp. box3 shots1/1 successful take-ons1 goalThe PFA Players' Player of the Year is off the mark. ⚽️ https://t.co/02pJG4z5XB— Squawka (@Squawka) August 30, 2026 Their captain's leveller undoubtedly boosted United's confidence, as the team entered the second half with a whole new energy, against which Ipswich stood no chance.In the 52nd minute, Bryan Mbeumo hit the bar from close range, hinting at United's much better display. A confirmation came four minutes later, when Jacob Greaves scored an own goal, deflecting the ball into his own net following Harry Maguire's strike.Fernandes set for a rotation this yearThe 25-year-old defender cemented his status as the game's tragic figure just five minutes later, bringing down Cunha in the box for a pently, which Bruno sent home to make it 3-1.Still, it wasn't the end of the Portuguese's goal rush, as he completed his second Premier League hat-trick – the first after five years – finishing off Mbeumo's assist in the 68th minute. Ipswich were lost, indisposed, and absolutely crushed.2 – Bruno Fernandes has scored his second Premier League hat-trick – both of which have come in Manchester United's first home game of a Premier League season: 2021-22 v Leeds United and 2026-27 v Ipswich Town.Magician. pic.twitter.com/nPAKny9fYm— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 30, 2026 Finally, in the 82nd minute, Bruno decided to record an assist, too, just to show why he became the player with most assist in a single Premier League campaign last season. Mbeumo was the scorer of the penultimate goal in United's 5-2 victory, as Chuba Akpom found the net in stoppage time to at least slightly soften the blow for the visitors. Either way, the Red Devils recorded a win that certainly changes the mood at Old Trafford, especially after the shocking defeat to Hull City last week.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 2FridayCrystal Palace – Manchester City 1-4 (0-1)/Donnarumma 56 og – Haaland 17, 84, Cherki 54, 59/SaturdayLiverpool – Nottingham Forest 2-2 (0-1)/Isak 60, Munoz 82 – Ndoye 24, Gibbs-White 70 pen/Bournemouth – Everton 1-1 (1-0)/Scott 41 – Tarkowski 90+1/Coventry – Hull 0-1 (0-0)/Millar 82/Tottenham – Newcastle 0-2 (0-0)/Elanga 62, Wissa 72/SundayChelsea – Brighton 4-3 (3-1)/Lavia 4, Neto 14, Pedro 32, Palmer 74 – Yalcouye 35, Pedro 63 og, Gross 90+6/Leeds – Brentford 1-1 (0-1)/Calvert-Lewin 79 – Schade 41/Sunderland – Fulham 1-0 (0-0)/Isidor 75/Manchester United – Ipswich Town 5-2 (1-1)/Fernandes 40, 61 pen, 68, Greaves 56 og, Mbeumo 82 – Davis 29, Akpom 90+1/Monday22.00: (6.25) Aston Villa (4.00) Arsenal (1.55)***odds are subject to change***
91