Manchester United welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford on Wednesday night with boss Kieran McKenna making a return to the club.
The dust is just about settling on Manchester United’s 2-2 draw at Everton and Ruben Amorim is now preparing for another big game.
United were dreadful in the first half at Goodison Park but rallied in the second half to secure a 2-2 draw.
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte dragged United out of a whole and Amorim is now preparing to face Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys are in a real relegation battle and this is the kind of game United would expect to win.
Yet having struggled past Leicester City in the FA Cup and Southampton in the Premier League across recent weeks, this is no sure thing.
Kieran McKenna on his best night at Manchester United
The game sees Kieran McKenna return to face United.
The Ipswich boss worked under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Michael Carrick at United before becoming Ipswich boss in 2021.
McKenna earned interest from United last summer with Ineos considering him as a replacement for Erik ten Hag.
Guiding Ipswich to back-to-back promotions saw McKenna become one of the hottest coaching properties in the country.
McKenna stayed with Ipswich but keeping them afloat in the Premier League was always going to be a big ask after such a meteoric rise.
The Northern Irishman has now reflected on his time at United and named his greatest memory from his Old Trafford days.
Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, McKenna noted that the 2019 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain was a ‘pretty special’ occasion.
United were 2-0 down from the first leg but won 3-1 in Paris to complete a remarkable come back, with Marcus Rashford scoring an injury-time penalty.
That night feels like a lifetime ago given the struggles United have endured since, but it clearly lives on strongly for McKenna.
Wednesday 26th February
Premier League
Man City
Kieran McKenna on his Manchester United inspiration
McKenna was also asked who his biggest inspiration at United having worked under so many managers.
McKenna noted that his ‘deepest connection’ was with Solskjaer having worked under him for the longest period.
However, the biggest inspiration for McKenna was actually Carrick, who stepped up from the coaching staff to take interim charge of United following Solskjaer’s exit.
Carrick is now in charge at Middlesbrough but is feeling the heat after a testing run of form.
McKenna clearly appreciates Carrick’s work though and paid tribute to him ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Axel Tuanzebe has caught the eye for Ipswich at times this season with the defender also set for a return to Old Trafford.
The former United defender was suspended against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday but will now be ready for a return.
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