Manchester United 1-0 Fulham: Zirkzee scores debut winner for much-improved Red Devils

From our friends at FotMob.com

Joshua Zirkzee was part of the build-up, carrying the ball into the final third before playing it wide and continuing his run into the box. Scott McTominay put it into a dangerous spot and Zirkzee couldn’t have applied a more deft glancing touch to nestle it just inside the far post. A deserved goal and lead for Man United.

Matthijs de Ligt is on for the final 10 minutes, making his Man United debut after signing from Bayern Munich last week. The 25-year-old Dutch center back is highly rated for his on-ball ability, which could help United unlock the Fulham defense late on here.

Fulham are starting to push one or two more white shirts forward to join the attack, and the Cottagers are causing a bit of trouble at the back for Man United. Antonee Robinson put a dangerous cross in and forced Lisandro Martinez to make a brilliant clearance all the way across the face of goal, but that’s as close as Fulham have come to scoring in the second half

Joshua Zirkzee will make his Man United debut momentarily alongside Alejandro Garnacho. You’ll know which one is Zirkzee as soon as you see him. 6-foot-4, big hair, broad shoulders. The Absolute Unit is alive and well in the Premier League.

This is quite good from Manchester United right now! Genuinely. No disclaimers necessary.

Bruno Fernandes played a stellar ball to spring Marcus Rashford, who found Mason Mount seven yards out from goal, but again Bernd Leno was in the right spot to make the save. A couple minutes later, the ball fell to Kobbie Mainoo with time and space just outside the box, but the 19-year-old dragged his right-footed shot just wide of the post.

No changes at halftime. Manchester United will want to see more of the same in the second half, still with Alejandro Garnacho and summer signing Joshua Zirkzee still to come off the bench.

The only thing standing between Man United and a 1-0 lead at halftime is a bit of early-season rust. Bruno Fernandes finishes his first chance 99 times out of 100. It was shocking that he didn’t score, but there should be a few more high-quality chances in the second half.

This has been better from the Red Devils, as they look… organized and willing to work for each other. It really stands out.

This is much better play from Man United in general as they are finally starting to break down Fulham’s defensive block, getting Bruno Fernandes into dangerous spots in and around the box. Casemiro picked him out with a brilliant ball in the 34th minute, but Bern Leno read it perfectly and managed to close down Bruno’s angle before the shot, making the save on positioning alone.

(Manchester United-Fulham)

• Possession: 54-46
• Shots: 3-3
• On target: 2-1
• xG: 0.30-0.09

Bruno Fernandes will feel like he wasted a golden opportunity in the 29th minute. The ball came to him in lots of space after Bernd Leno’s pass went right back to Manchester United, but Fernandes somehow managed to put the 9-out-of-10-times chance right at Leno.

Fulham right back Kenny Tete picked the ball up in acres of space 30 yards from goal and decided to have a go himself. The Dutchman hit a dipping strike on target that left Andre Onana scrambling just a bit to push it over the crossbar. First three shots of the game, all for Fulham.

Adama Traore, over the bar from the corner of the penalty area.

Fulham enjoying a bit of possession here as Manchester United sit a little deeper than expected and look to create chances on the counter.

Manchester United in red, Fulham in white. Sartorially, as they should be.

What a scene for the Premier League to kick off the 2024-25 season, with Old Trafford at full-capacity and -voice, and a renewed sense of optimism (Gary Neville’s words, not mine) around the ground.

(Last 6 meetings in the Premier League)

• Man United: 4 wins
• Fulham: 1 win (last meeting, at Old Trafford in February)
• 1 draw

Speaking to our partners at Sky Sports a little earlier, Man United boss Erik ten Hag insisted that new owner Jim Radcliffe has restructured the club in such a way that “everyone is on the same page” with regards to player transfers. That, according to him, is why United have had such a successful transfer window already, with perhaps one or two more deals still to come.

We missed the smiling faces of the fantastic NBC Sports Premier League broadcast team all summer.

Onana - Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui - Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount, Fernandes - Amad, Rashford

Leno - Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson - Lukic, Pereira, Smith Rowe - Traore, Iwobi, Muniz

• OUT: Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring), Will Fish (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (knee)
• QUESTIONABLE: Victor Lindelof (undisclosed)

It won’t last long as the season gets going, of course, but Marco Silva has a full squad of Cottagers available today.