Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United: Can either get their season going on Friday night?
Ipswich and Sheffield United meet on Friday night as both target their first win of the season. Watch Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm on Friday night; kick-off 8pm.
Friday 12 September 2025 19:05, UK
It has not been the start to the new campaign that either would have expected.
Ipswich Town, hotly-tipped for the title, are still without a win, while Sheffield United, under new boss Ruben Selles, have not even managed a point.
Despite expectations of another promotion challenge, United sit bottom of the league and after defeat at Middlesbrough last time out, Selles was taunted by travelling fans to darken the early gloom.
The pair meet on Friday night at Portman Road after both made moves in the market to try and rectify a poor opening, pressure is on to get their 2025/26 endeavours up and running.
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No points and 'doubts' over Selles - what's up with Sheffield United?
The Blades accrued 92 points last season, only to sack Chris Wilder after play-off defeat to Sunderland, but that move - under new owners seeking a change in direction - always appeared a risk.
United, along with Wolves, are among two teams in the top four English divisions yet to earn a point in 2025/26 and have lost all five games so far this term in all competitions.
Selles promised "aggressive, vertical football" but his new side have managed just a single league goal while looking vulnerable in transition.
"I think 'disaster' just about sums it up in terms of results," said Jobi McAnuff on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. "Seeing Sheffield Wednesday above them adds a double blow for Sheffield United fans, especially considering all the issues at Hillsborough this season. With respect, United should not even be worrying about Wednesday, because expectations for them are to be at the top end of the table.
"You only have to look at the scenes after the Middlesbrough game, with Selles going over to the fans, who were clearly unhappy. Fair play to him for fronting it up since plenty of managers would have hidden away. He stuck his chest out and faced the criticism. But it takes more than bravado. Saying you are the right man for the job is one thing; proving it is another. From what I have seen so far, I have doubts."
"I am not sure the dressing room is convinced by Selles," Andy Hinchcliffe added. "The body language does not look right. Under Chris Wilder there is no way they would have lost five in a row. Something is clearly wrong."
Selles insists he feels "support" from owners COH Sports, but said talks had taken place over the international break.
"Obviously, we just use those periods (for) a meeting where we can talk with them and explain what we are doing and how we are doing ... as everyone will do it in any football club or any company. I just felt the support from them."
For how long that support continues remains to be seen.
Transfer scramble - will Selles change tack?
Scrutiny initially centred on the board's backing for Selles in the transfer market following the departures of key players up the spine of the team in centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic, midfield enforcer Vini Souza and striker Kieffer Moore.
But after a flurry of late activity - and an apparent strategic turn back to proven, experienced performers in Japhet Tanganga, Ben Mee, Tahith Chong and Danny Ings - the focus will firmly be on Selles' ability to mould a coherent side.
Defensive reinforcements offer the possibility of a switch to a back three, while the arrival of combative Alex Matos on loan from Chelsea could prompt - as many fans hope - a move to a robust midfield.
Something, McAnuff believes, needs to change.
"The setup against Middlesbrough with Sydie Peck, Gus Hamer, and Callum O'Hare as the midfield three was far too open against a strong, well-organised side," McAnuff said.
"We often talk about tweaks; Selles could help himself by stiffening things up in midfield. Losing Vini Souza and with Ollie Arblaster not yet available has not helped. But even if you have a philosophy, sometimes you need to adapt. From his time at Reading, I know he wants his teams to press aggressively, but there has been a real naivety about the way he has set United up. At this level, that simply is not good enough. If he does not learn fast, there is only one way this ends.
"The players do need to take more responsibility, but they also looked like they did not believe in the system. You step onto the pitch wondering if the gaffer is really sure about this plan."
Hinchcliffe added: "If not for Japhet Tanganga, they would have lost four or five against Middlesbrough. Had that happened, I doubt Selles would still be in a job.
"But it is not just about defenders. Keeping clean sheets is a team effort. Middlesbrough showed that, as even their attacking subs were working hard off the ball. United's wide players did not track back, leaving the full-backs exposed. A simple 4-5-1, solid for the first 25 minutes away from home, would have made more sense. Last season, the structure made them hard to beat. This season it is absent."
How much will Selles switch things up?
"The first thing that we did after the last game finished was to deeply analyse our performances in the first four games - in terms of the games and also in terms of statistics and clips," he said ahead of the trip to Portman Road.
"After that deep analysis, we went to a conclusion that we need to adjust and adapt what we do. If that transformation is a change of formation or not, we will see it on Friday night."
Ipswich have been 'underwhelming'
Ipswich, shorn of several big-name players, are also hoping for a belated home boost.
Marcelino Nunez could make his debut following a surprise £10m move from Norwich last month, but while McKenna will hope his goals fill a void, McAnuff and Hinchcliffe believe there are other issues to tackle.
"Ipswich have been really underwhelming," McAnuff said. I expected a lot more from them given the squad they have. When they went up, there seemed to be a clear structure and strategic planning in terms of the players they signed.
"Many of them had Championship-level experience, players who could do well in the Premier League but, if the club came back down, would still be ready to hit the ground running. That was the thinking behind a lot of those signings.
"Yes, they have lost a couple of important players. Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson both played significant roles for them. But even so, with what they have at their disposal, Ipswich have not been anywhere near the level you would expect.
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"They have not yet found the rhythm that we usually associate with Kieran McKenna's teams, both in League One and the Championship. There are a lot of moving parts, and new players are still finding their way.
"You cannot underestimate the impact of a poor run. Once you get into a mode of not winning, there is a hangover period. I have experienced it myself, going up, not winning many games, then coming back down.
"You start to wonder how to win again and whether what you are doing is good enough. I have every faith that McKenna will turn it around, though. The squad has quality in almost every position and, importantly, depth.
"Look at some of the substitutes in their last game: Chuba Akpom, Jack Clarke, Sammie Szmodics, Ben Johnson, Cedric Kipre and Darnell Furlong. These are players who would walk into most other Championship teams. That shows you the strength of the squad.
"The real problem so far has been central midfield. Last time they were in the Championship, Massimo Luongo and Sam Morsy dominated games with and without the ball, which gave the attacking players freedom to express themselves. They have not found that balance yet. Massimo Luongo has returned but is still getting up to speed, while Azor Matusiwa has the battling qualities of Morsy but is not as comfortable on the ball. Possession has not been as smooth as we expect from Ipswich.
"That is why signing Marcelino Nunez [from Norwich] is so important. Rivalries aside, he fits exactly the profile they need in midfield and I believe he will prove to be a crucial signing. I am confident McKenna will find the right formula. Ipswich just need one win to kickstart them and restore belief, because this remains an exceptional group of players for the Championship."
'Morsy's departure is biggest blow'
Hinchcliffe agrees that Morsy's exit has proved especially damaging, but remains confident McKenna's side will rediscover rhythm.
"I completely agree with Jobi. Losing Delap and Hutchinson hurt, but Morsy's departure is the biggest blow," he said. "He gave others the freedom to play while making sure the team functioned. When he left, Ipswich knew he would leave a huge hole and they are still trying to fill it.
"Even so, this is still a strong squad with real depth. For me it is only a matter of time before they find their rhythm. They are not losing games, which is important, and eventually the new players will gel. As Jobi said, this is a squad that should always be challenging at the top of the Championship and with the potential to survive in the Premier League if things go well. At the very least, this squad has to be finishing in the top six.
"Leif Davis has even said this is arguably the strongest Ipswich squad he has seen, which says a lot. I do not think they will be far away. The game against Sheffield United is a huge test for both clubs. If Ipswich win that one it will be a marker to show that they are serious contenders again this season.
"When the season gets tough, depth will be crucial. Ipswich have players on the bench who can strengthen the team significantly."
Portman Road awaits - and the pressure is on two underperformers.
