Ruben Amorim's Manchester United tenure off to a flyer with Rashford goal after 81 seconds

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure off to a flyer with Rashford goal after 81 seconds

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Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

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Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, left, is congratulated by Amad Diallo after scoring his side’s opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

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Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim gives instructions during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

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Manchester United’s fans cheer for their team prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

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Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (8) dribbles the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

By STEVE DOUGLAS

Eighty-one seconds.

That’s how long it took Manchester United to score a goal in Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge, a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in the Premier League on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford tapped in a cross from Amad Diallo to give United the lead at Portman Road in the best possible start to Amorim’s tenure.

United couldn’t hold on, conceding an equalizer to Omari Hutchinson just before halftime.

Amorim left Portuguese leader Sporting Lisbon to replace the fired Erik ten Hag as United manager and two of his major selection calls were vindicated very early in his first game.

Diallo, a winger, was deployed as a wing back in a 3-5-2 formation preferred by Amorim, and his first foray forward resulted in a goal.

Rashford was the scorer after being chosen to start up front ahead of out-and-out strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Rashford has typically been playing as a winger and has been in patchy form for the past two seasons, meaning he has dropped out of the England squad.

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