United Beyond Manchester

Kieran McKenna is not getting caught up in the new manager frenzy at Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s match. The 38-year-old downplayed his connection with United, as well as the arrival of Ruben Amorim, instead focusing on the accomplishments of Ipswich when speaking this week about the matchup.

The former Manchester United assistant has led Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions, guiding the Tractor Boys to the Premier League for the first time since 2002. While the Blues sit dangerously close to the drop zone in 17th, they are coming off their best match of the season, a 2-1 win over Tottenham before the international break.

McKenna, who spoke this week to the fans, as quoted by TWTD, said: “Sunday, what a game. It’s one we’re really, really looking forward to, I have to say.”

“Not on a personal connection because I’ve been at Man United, but as manager of Ipswich Town Football Club, to be on that stage, it’s what we’ve worked so hard for over the last couple of years.

“It’s the biggest game in world football anywhere this weekend, the biggest game in the world in the biggest sport in the world and it’s at Portman Road. It’s in Ipswich and there’s nothing that could make me more proud than that, really.

“We’re really, really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a helluva game, I think. Obviously, on the global stage, the narrative and when you’re playing Man United and they’ve got a new manager, that’s world news and that’s going to be the global version of it and so much of it is going to be built up around that.”

Ruben Amorim, who led his first training session with Manchester United earlier this week, will face a tough challenge in his inaugural match against Kieran McKenna’s side. There is no doubt that Manchester United needs to be fully prepared, as Ipswich Town certainly will be.