He was our nightmare last night, If not for him we would have finished them from the first half”, Fulham Coach reveals the one Manchester United player that gave him tough time yesterday – Not Rashford, not Garnacho and not Zirkzee

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Erik ten Hag saved by his subs as Joshua Zirkzee enjoys dream Man Utd debut

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16 August 2024 • 11:51pm

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Manchester United vs Fulham live: Score and latest updates from Premier League

Key moments

Chosen by us to get you up to speed at a glance

87 mins Man United 1 Fulham

Zirkzee scores on debut with just three minutes remaining

54 mins Man United 0 Fulham

Mount has effort saved by Leno

35 mins Man United 0 Fulham

Fernandes misses great opportunity to give home side the lead

29 mins Man United 0 Fulham

Leno nearly punished for huge mistake

13 mins Man United 0 Fulham 0

Onana makes great save to deny Tete after hosts wanted penalty

He pledged to make an immediate impact. He said he would take his game to another level. Joshua Zirkzee was as good as his word as he scored his first goal for Manchester United, the first of this Premier League season, and did so on his debut.

Not only that, he scored in the 87th minute, in front of the Stretford End. And at 6ft 4in he looks the part. The 23-year-old wears the No 11 but this was the contribution of a pure No 9 and it was enough to beat Fulham.

It was also enough to stave off the pressure that might already have started to build on Erik ten Hag. So much has been made of the Dutchification of United, but if this is what the likes of Zirkzee – pronounced “Zirks” – will bring, then there will be no concerns over the Reds taking such an Oranje hue.

It is not rocket science, of course. There was puzzlement that Ten Hag did not start with a centre-forward. Yes, Rasmus Hojlund was injured, and he argued that Zirkzee was not yet up to speed, although it did not look like that when he came on after an hour, but until a striker arrived United failed to take their chances.

Two fell to Bruno Fernandes, playing in a “false nine” role that could prove effective in big matches, but he fluffed them both. Another fell to Mason Mount, who was also superbly denied by Bernd Leno. But the Fulham goalkeeper could do nothing about Zirkzee’s finish.

Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes struggled to get United’s attack flowing and coherent in the first half

Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes struggled to get United’s attack flowing and coherent in the first half Credit: PA Wire/Martin Rickett

Signed from Bologna for £36.5 million and a bit-part player for the Netherlands at the Euros, on this evidence he deserved to start for his country ahead of two former United strikers, Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst.

No centre-forward had more touches than him in Serie A last season. Fittingly, Zirkzee was involved in the build-up to his goal, as he collected a pass from Fernandes and quickly switched the play to the right. With a striker’s instinct he then sprinted towards goal before checking his run to meet Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross and deftly guide the ball into the net with a stabbed shot.

Old Trafford erupted. It is too easy to get carried away and hype up such moments. After all, Antony scored a sumptuous goal on his debut in a win over Arsenal, becoming the first United player to do so since another former Ajax recruit, Donny van de Beek.

Predatory ‘impact’ that United have lacked

Zirkzee will not want those two examples to be omens. But it is also true that United have lacked that commanding centre-forward for some time and, despite Hojlund’s undoubted promise, he is not yet that player. Can Zirkzee provide the focus that has, maybe, been lacking since Zlatan Ibrahimovic left? (Not that he is an Ibrahimovic.) Cristiano Ronaldo was a different kind of player.

“Ladies and gentlemen: Joshua Zirkzee,” United posted on social media with a picture of him celebrating his goal below the single word “impact”. He lived up to his promise. Whatever the debate and whatever the future holds, it was certainly the kind of predatory goal that Ruud van Nistelrooy was famous for.

Zirkzee’s impact and the sharpness of Alejandro Garnacho will please United’s new attack coach Ruud van Nistelrooy

Zirkzee’s impact and the sharpness of Alejandro Garnacho will please United’s new attack coach Ruud van Nistelrooy Credit: /PA Wire/Martin Rickett

In the dugout, United’s new attack coach will have been delighted, and relieved, given how blunt United had been until the arrival of Zirkzee and Garnacho. Maybe the Argentine also lacked fitness, but when he came on Ten Hag changed his formation and United were far more coherent.

Fernandes dropped back into midfield and suddenly instead of himself and Mount trying to break forward there was a fully functioning attack already in place. Indeed, there should have been a second goal in injury time as Marcus Rashford broke free.

The season before last he would have gone on and found the net but, unfortunately, this was the Rashford of the last campaign, the Rashford who is lacking in confidence, and he picked out Garnacho instead, who somehow sent the ball wide.

By then Lee Carsley, England’s interim manager, had left, but he will have much to think about. As good as Kobbie Mainoo was and as battling as Harry Maguire was, it was disappointing once more from Rashford and Mount. Neither will receive an international return later this month if they play like this.

For Ten Hag there was relief after a summer in which he had to wait to find out if he still had a job, and then was allowed to be involved in a number of new signings.

There were debuts for Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, both signed from Bayern Munich but also former Ten Hag players with Ajax, and the manager will now feel he has a squad with far more strength. They won it from the bench.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva will be left to rue the missed chances. As well as his team played, it was a disappointing first appearance for his big-money signing from Arsenal, Emile Smith Rowe. But then the 24-year-old has played so little competitive football in the last couple of seasons.

Admirably Fulham went for it and United’s desperation to win left them so open at the back. Ten Hag gambled. Even this early in the campaign he knew he and United needed to win. Zirkzee cashed in.

United edge past Fulham to raise curtain on new Premier League season – As it happened:

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Mike McGrath

16 August 2024 • 11:51pm

10:25PM

Marco Silva speaking to the BBC

“Frustration with the result for us. Big frustration for our players and fans, for sure. Overall it was a good game with both teams trying to win the game.

“We started well and had good counter-attacks to score. We adjusted things at half-time and second half was much better. We had good moments, a two against one, we should have done better.

“The main thing for us was to keep the emotional control. When the game becomes open we should have kept the balance and kept compact. But in those moments we lost emotional control and that allowed them to score.

“The game was open and broken, we tried to rush our decisions. Many times we started to lose the ball too quickly. We let the game go too emotional and we didn’t want that. We lost four starters [in the transfer window]. We are probably the only team in the Premier League that lost four starters. We have to rebuild again. There is a lot of work for us to do other the next two weeks to rebuild. But we are very pleased with how the players have worked. We are working hard to get what we need.”

10:22PM

Three points for Manchester United

Job done ➕3️⃣#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/TZNKYKZNnj

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024

10:19PM

Gary Neville on Sky

“It was steady and unspectacular from Manchester United. Tonight, they had to win and it didn’t look like they were going to for large parts of that game.

“It was critical that they won and the clean sheet was important. Defensively they will be better than they were last season and bringing on defenders, the squad looks bigger and thicker. It wasn’t spectacular football but given the way they set up tonight, I didn’t expect it to be.

“It’s generally positive. For Zirkzee to come on and score the winner, to have that sort of presence to replace Rasmus Hojlund when he’s not fit was important. United have struggled in that position for a couple of years.”

10:16PM

Your reactions

Remember you can have your say on the match in our comments section.

10:10PM

Erik ten Hag talking to Sky

“It showed that subs are very important. It’s great in the first game to bring on a sub and he ends up winning us the game. It’s good for the team process and the spirit of the group. It shows how important subs are and that they need to be ready.

“Against Fulham, it’s always a difficult game but we pressed very well and we kept them under pressure. We created a lot of chances and should have scored earlier. That’s my only criticism of the team that we needed to kill.”

“We know how important it is to keep clean sheets. Two seasons ago we kept the most number of clean sheets in the Premier League. When we have our consistent back four, we will defend properly with a high line and the midfield and wingers can get forward. Without a consistent back four, there is no pattern and routines and that’s when gaps appear.”

10:07PM

Man of the match Joshua Zirkzee speaking to Sky

“To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better. I’ve been told [scoring at the Stretford End] is one of the best feelings at Man Utd. I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.

“At the end of the day we got the win, that’s all we wanted. I can’t really explain the feeling, it’s just very nice. I feel very warm here. It’s a great team. We want to achieve something great. It’s been amazing, it’s been a dream actually.

“The manager told me to bring an energy and help the team as much as possible, just that. Manchester United is a huge club. You should always strive for the best. That includes day by day giving 100%, that’s the plan. It’s all good vibes.”

10:05PM

Dutch impact

15 – Joshua Zirkzee is the 15th Dutch player to score on his Premier League debut, and the fourth to do so while at @ManUtd after Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alexander Büttner and Donny van de Beek. Oranje. #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/JDDZPenL6d

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 16, 2024

10:04PM

Relief for ten Hag

Erik ten Hag thanks the Manchester United fans

Opening day victory for Manchester United Credit: Darren Staples/Getty Images

10:03PM

Fulham frustration

That game was there for the taking with 10 minutes remaining and Fulham may feel they have let at least one point get away from them.

Fulham manager Marco Silva walks off after the game

Missed chance for Fulham? Credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images

10:00PM

Gary Neville on Sky

“A win is a win. This is a game last season they lost, so it is a big moment for Man Utd. Fulham had some moments on the counter-attack but Erik ten Hag will be a relieved man – three points here tonight means everything.”

9:59PM

Debut delight for Zirkzee

Joshua Zirkzee celebrates his goal

Joshua Zirkzee with the winning goal on the opening night of the 2024-25 season Credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images

9:52PM

Manchester United should be 2-0 up. Bassey completely misses the ball, which sets up a two-on-one for Rashford and Garnacho. The former lays it across for the latter, who makes an absolute mess of it and misses.

There is the final whistle though and Manchester United take the three points thanks to Zirkzee’s debut goal.

Friday night delight! ❤️‍🔥🙌#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/EXBEXGjMJA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024

9:50PM

90+2 mins: Manchester United 1 Fulham 0

Fernandes sends in a dangerous ball from the left towards Garnacho but Fulham do well to clear their lines.

Fulham then go down the other end and waste a good chance with plenty of numbers up the field.

9:48PM

90+1 mins: Manchester United 1 Fulham 0

Pereira sends it in towards Bassey, but he cannot guide his header towards the Manchester United goal.

Double Fulham change:

OFF Lukic, Pereira

ON Reed, Stansfield

9:47PM

90 mins: Manchester United 1 Fulham 0

Martinez runs into the back of Tete and Fulham will have a late free-kick in a dangerous area on the right.

There four are added minutes.

9:45PM

GOAL! Manchester United 1 Fulham 0

Zirkzee (87’)

The home side take the lead with just three minutes of normal time remaining. The cross is sent in from the right by Garnacho and the debutant Zirkzee sticks his foot out to guide it into the far corner.

“Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial…..Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman joins the list of Manchester United forwards who have made stunning debuts. Wazza scored a hat-trick against Fenerbahce, Rashford announced himself against Midtjylland while Martial scored against bitter rivals Liverpool. Zirkzee was meant to take time to settle into the Premier League but his goal may speed things up.”

Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring his goal

Zirkzee on his debut with a goal Credit: Molly Darlington/Reuters

9:44PM

86 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Garnacho goes down just outside the Fulham box, waving his arms around wanting a free-kick but referee Robert Jones is having none of it. Surely that is either a yellow card for a dive or a free-kick to Manchester United? It looked like a dive and that is the second time he has done that.

9:41PM

84 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Manchester United change:

OFF Mainoo

ON McTominay

“Big ovation for Harry Maguire when he was subbed for the last 10 minutes. He was one of United’s best performers while on the pitch and surely is a straightforward selection for Lee Carsley when he selects his England squad for Republic of Ireland and Finland next month. Maguire walks around the perimeter of the pitch when taken off and gets applauded back to the bench.

“United make another sub and bring on Scott McTominay, with the Fulham fans singing: “He wants to play for Fulham”. They had a bid rejected earlier in the window. “Scott McTominay, he’s one of our own” was the other chant from the away end.”

9:40PM

82 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Close for the hosts. Garnacho sends a ball across from the right, trying to find Rashford, but Tete does just enough to make the interception and Leno can gather.

9:39PM

81 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Manchester United are making a double change at centre-back. Maguire is limping off as de Ligt comes on for his Manchester United debut.

OFF Mazrouai, Maguire

ON de Ligt, Evans

9:37PM

80 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Fernandes has a good opportunity for the hosts from the edge of the box but it results in a fairly easy save for Leno.

9:36PM

78 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Iwobi finds Muniz in the centre of the box and he tries to turn but Manchester United gather the ball through Onana. Double Fulham change:

OFF Adama, Muniz

ON Wilson, Jimenez

Andre Onana gathers the ball

Will either side find a winner/ Credit: Molly Darlington/Reuters

9:34PM

76 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

The delivery is not the best from Pereira and Manchester United just about clear their lines. Fulham can sense this game is for the taking and are growing in confidence.

9:32PM

74 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Fulham should take the lead. They counter and have numbers on Manchester United. Adama’s pass to Cairney is not the best but he then finds Pereira on the left-hand side of the box. He feeds it across the box and it comes off Martinez for a corner.

Two more corners follow for Fulham and this next one will come in front of the Fulham fans…

9:31PM

72 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Cairney has not long been on the field but has already found himself into the book for a foul on Garnacho.

9:28PM

70 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Pereira is fouled down the right and Fulham have a free-kick. It looks Martinez is going to be booked for blocking the quick free-kick but it is Pereira instead who is booked for a card gesture towards the referee, calling for Martinez to be booked. Pereira then wastes the opportunity with a poor delivery.

9:26PM

68 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Dalot sends in a delightful ball to the back post, looking for Garnacho but Robinson wins a crucial header to deny him.

9:24PM

66 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Pereira has messed that up for the visitors. Fulham have a two-on-one inside the Manchester United half and all Pereira needs to do is find Iwobi to his left for a one-on-one with Onana, but his pass is terrible and is intercepted by Maguire.

9:22PM

64 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Rashford sends an inviting cross across the box but none of his teammates are on hand to take advantage.

9:20PM

63 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Fulham change:

OFF Smith-Rowe

ON Cairney

9:20PM

62 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Close for the visitors. Muniz attempts an acrobatic effort from near the edge of the box, which takes a deflection off Mainoo’s shoulder and loops into the air. Onana has to tip it over the bar for a corner, which Pereira sends in towards the near post, and it goes behind for another corner, which Manchester United deal with.

Rodrigo Muniz attempts a bicycle kick

Acrobatic effort Credit: Carl Recine/Getty Images

9:18PM

60 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Double change for Manchester United, including a debut for Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee who has signed from Bologna over the summer.

OFF Mount, Amad

ON Zirkzee, Garnacho

“Joshua Zirkzee introduced to the action and the public announcer uses the correct pronunciation – “Zirks” is how the Dutchman says his name. Should be easy enough for supporters to pick up, as it sounds like his nickname anyway. He and Alejandro Garnacho are on.”

Joshua Zirkzee talking to Erik ten Hag before coming on

Joshua Zirkzee coming on for his Manchester United debut Credit: Darren Staples/Getty Images

9:13PM

56 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Another Manchester United corner, this time from the right after Amad’s cross is deflected behind. It is sent in but Iwobi comfortably wins the header at the front post.

Moments later Mainoo takes on a first-time effort from outside the box but he drags his effort wide.

9:11PM

54 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Chance for the hosts. Rashford drives into the box on the left and the ball comes through to Mount, whose shot is saved by Leno and goes behind for a corner.

The home side then win another corner, which Fulham are able to deal with.

Mason Mount has a shot saved

Chance for Mason Mount Credit: Martin Rickett/PA

9:10PM

52 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Adama is running down the right and comes in-field, only to be tugged back by Rashford. Fulham are awarded a free-kick and Rashford is perhaps fortunate not to be booked for that foul.

Pereira sends it towards the back post but Onana is quick off his line to catch it.

“This feels like quite a big second half to set the tone for United’s start to the season. The crowd have been with them all evening, although Fulham’s corner is getting louder. As Ten Hag pointed out in his programme notes, this fixture has recently been decided with late goals.”

9:07PM

49 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Smith-Rowe’s cross from the left is blocked and rolls behind for a corner. Fulham on the front foot at the start of this second half, having been under the cosh at the end of the first. It is sent in and flicked on by Tete but Manchester United just about clear their lines through Dalot.

9:05PM

47 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0

Fulham are gifted a corner as Martinez has a brainless moment, giving the ball away deep in his own half which leads to this corner. Pereira swings it in and Iwobi meets it at the near post, but he cannot keep his header down and it does not trouble Onana’s goal.

9:02PM

Second half

We are back under way at Old Trafford. Will we see any goals in this second hal

Fulham Coach reveals the one Manchester United player that gave him tough time yesterday – Not Rashford

He was our nightmare last night

If not for him we would have finished them from the first half”

not Garnacho and not Zirkzee

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“I haven’t played with such an amazing and experienced player before…I can score more than 50-goals this season playing alongside him”: Manchester United new signing Joshua Zirkzee names ONE Man United player who made his debut unbelievable as he promises fans with over 50-goals this season

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In all my career as a player I have never seen this kind player like him before, he surprised me last night and I’m so happy to play alongside with such a great talent”, Joshua Zirkzee reveals the only Manchester United player that impressed him yesterday – Not Rashford and not Garnacho

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He was our nightmare last night, If not for him we would have finished them from the first half”, Fulham Coach reveals the one Manchester United player that gave him tough time yesterday – Not Rashford, not Garnacho and not Zirkzee

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