Kieran McKenna must give Ipswich Town star his first start of season vs Sheffield United

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Ipswich Town host Sheffield United in a Friday evening Championship clash post-international break.

Many second-tier supporters will have considered both Ipswich and the Blades to be title contenders for the 2025/26 campaign, but they have both had stuttering starts.

Despite Sheffield United being backed as title favourites, Ruben Selles’ start at Bramall Lane has been a disaster, with the Blades still searching for their first point of the campaign.

Tonight’s hosts, Ipswich, have failed to register their first win back in the Championship after relegation from the Premier League, with three draws and one defeat in their opening four.

Given the lacklustre goalscoring form of Ipswich forward George Hirst so far this season, one Tractor Boys new boy ought to be given his first start of the season by Kieran McKenna against Sheffield United.

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Kieran McKenna must start Ivan Azon for Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United

In August, Ipswich approached Ivan Azon of Italian top flight Como, and shortly after the Spanish striker arrived on loan for the 2025/26 season.

After his disappointing display in the 2-2 draw with Derby County before the break, Ipswich fans want Hirst dropped, with one supporter even claiming that “Azon showed more in 15 minutes than what Hirst has done this season.”

Following the £30m sale of Liam Delap to Chelsea, Hirst has been McKenna’s number nine throughout the season so far, but his only goal in five outings has been the penalty-kick in the curtain-raiser draw at Birmingham City.

With summer loan signing Azon showing promise in his short but sweet cameo against the Rams, and Hirst struggling in front of goal, McKenna needs to award the Spaniard his first start for the Tractor Boys.

Although McKenna has urged caution from Ipswich fans with Azon, he believes that the Ipswich faithful can “really get behind” his acquisition, and what better side to start against than the rock-bottom Blades.

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Kieran McKenna comments on Ipswich Town’s Ivan Azon signing

After the 22-year-old striker arrived in Suffolk on loan for the season, McKenna revealed that the Tractor Boys transfer team have been aware of Azon’s exploits for a lengthy period.

As quoted by the Ipswich Star, McKenna said of Azon: “We’re excited to have Ivan here. He’s a player that the club have tracked for a while.

“He’s been on the radar of the recruitment team for a while. He’s a forward I think that the supporters will really get behind. He works really, really hard for the team.

“He uses his physicality well. Of course, the Championship is a step up in that, but I think he will enjoy those physical challenges. He’s a player who plays with his whole heart.

“He’s one again that I think the supporters will really get behind. He’s got good qualities on the top line.

“He runs behind well. He battles centre-halves. He can score goals in different types of ways and he’s very young.

“Of course, with any player coming into a new league, there’s an adjustment period. But we feel he’s got good qualities for English football.

“We think he can impact it hopefully straight away. Of course, we need some patience from everyone in terms of fully getting to the rhythm of things.

With Selles set for more misery against Ipswich, his countryman could compound the Blades boss’ woes by scoring his first Championship goal if given the nod over Hirst by McKenna tonight.