MANCHESTER: Newcomer Joshua Zirkzee’s last-minute goal gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over Fulham in their Premier League opener at Old Trafford on Friday. Home supporters were excited ahead of the first match of the English top-flight campaign, with four players named and new faces in the United boardroom.
However, much like their performance at home last season, United struggled to break through to their opponents in the first half, with captain Bruno Fernandes coming closest to scoring the opener. The frustration grew after the break, but Dutch substitute Zirkzee came on three minutes from time to give United the win.
“To win and score a goal in my first home game here, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Zirkzee told Sky Sports.
“I’ve been told that (scoring at the Stretford End) is one of the best feelings at Man United. I’m so grateful and blessed that I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling. “Manchester United is a huge club. You should always strive for the best. It’s all a good atmosphere.”
Without a Premier League title since 2013 and having addressed key problem areas in the transfer market, United supporters are hoping for an improved performance than last season’s eighth-place finish.
However, when play resumed in the evening, the mood in the stadium was less buoyant as United appeared to have no strategy to re-ignite. A smart save from goalkeeper Andre Onana denied Kenny Tete’s early curling effort, while Fernandes had two golden opportunities but was denied by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Midfielder Mason Mount was given a starting spot after an injury-hit first season in Manchester, and came close to scoring early in the second half.
However, more haphazard passing led to groans from supporters, but disappointment eventually turned to joy when substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee combined to score the winner. United have won more and taken more points than any other team in their opening games of a Premier League campaign, but this performance suggested there is still much to be done for manager Erik ten Hag.
“Substitutes are always important and it was good to see in the first match that you bring on a substitute and he scores the winning goal,” Ten Hag said.
“The game against Fulham is always difficult, but we defended very well and put pressure. After 10 minutes we got into the game and we put them under pressure. We created many chances and we should have scored earlier and that is the only criticism of the team – the kill in the box.”
Fulham manager Marco Silva was disappointed at not being able to get anything from the match.
“It’s really tough for us to lose this game the way we did,” he said.
“We started really well, there was a good response from Man United after 20 minutes. We adjusted ourselves by halftime and the second half was much better. When you play against Manchester United… there are moments when we have to punish them.”