Joshua Zirkzee enjoyed a dream debut as the summer signing came off the bench to earn Manchester United a late victory in Friday’s Premier League opener against Fulham.
After a summer of speculation and change behind the scenes, Erik ten Hag – retained after winning the FA Cup against Manchester City – wanted to start the season with a bang at a packed Old Trafford.
United showed promise in patches but looked set to be frustrated by Marco Silva’s Fulham, only for Zirkzee to turn in a cross from fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho in a late 1-0 win.
Joshua Zirkzee''s first day in the Premier League…
👋 Introduced to the @ManUtd fans ahead of kick off🔁 Substituted on in the 61st minute🎯 Scored in the 87th minute✅ Three points earned#MUNFUL | #TheKickOff pic.twitter.com/abbLEgXedm
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 16, 2024
The Netherlands international did not play a minute of United’s pre-season friendlies, having arrived late following Euro 2024 and his 61st-minute introduction proved inspired.
Zirkzee, signed from Bologna, was brought on as part of a double change alongside Garnacho, whose cross he prodded home to secure an opening-night triumph in the 87th minute.
It was some introduction on a night that began with the Netherlands international and United’s three other summer signings being welcomed by the Old Trafford faithful.
There was a feel-good factor around the ground, but Fulham looked undaunted as Adama Traore surged down the right and saw a cutback cut out by Red Devils debutant Noussair Mazraoui.
There was a huge early roar as Lisandro Martinez barged the rapid winger off the ball, before United’s own fleet-footed wide man got bums off seats.
Amad Diallo’s penalty appeal at the end of that run fell on deaf ears and Fulham broke, with Kenny Tete’s 25-yard curler needing to be turned over by Andre Onana.
“We want Glazers out” chanted fans as co-owner Avram Glazer watched from the directors’ box with United looking smart in patches without creating clear-cut chances.
Their first came in the 29th minute as an impressive press led Bernd Leno to cough up possession, only for the goalkeeper to deny Bruno Fernandes after Casemiro had cut out his pass.
The Fulham shot-stopper spread himself again to deny the United captain soon after as quick build-up play ended with Casemiro superbly slipped in the Portuguese to get away a shot.
The Brazil international headed narrowly wide and then volleyed far further off target as the first half of the season ended scoreless.
Fulham unsteadied the hosts when the second half got under way and had a couple of half-chances from corners.
But United quickly shook off that raggedness, with Mason Mount denied after a Marcus Rashford burst before Kobbie Mainoo fired inches wide.
Fulham were having to defend well but were still creating chances, with Onana stopping a blocked Rodrigo Muniz overhead kick looping in before some stupendous Harry Maguire defending.
The visitors had a two-on-one opportunity, but the centre-back held his ground and cut out former United midfielder Andreas Pereira’s ball in the 66th minute.
Fulham again outnumbered the Red Devils on the break in the 74th minute, but once more they failed to capitalise. This time Martinez made the key intervention, cutting out Pereira’s ball to the far post at the end of a sweeping move.
A Fernandes shot was plucked out of the air by Leno as the clock wound down towards what appeared set to be a goalless draw.
Ladies and gentlemen: Joshua Zirkzee.#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/0Wmvj3D9CW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
But for the issues United have under Ten Hag their spirit can rarely be questioned and Zirkzee bought straight into it.
The new arrival played wide and ran into the box three minutes from time, stretching to direct Garnacho’s cross from the right past Leno in front of the Stretford End.
Provider Garnacho should have added to that goal in stoppage time after Rashford’s selfless pass after a Calvin Bassey error but the Argentina winger somehow missed an open goal.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Mbappe VS Liverpool Path confirmed… Kylian Mbappe after Virgil van Dijk took him down. 0.6% chance. 99.4% faith. lol I can't unsee this … League titles won "since 2009" Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The Egyptian is locked in contract negotiations with the club, who do not want to commit to a multi-year, high wage deal.Salah is in the form of his life, but is 32, which is giving the Reds pause for giving him a two or three-year extension.Per Sky Sports, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are not actively pursuing Salah at present.While he is a target and one they would love to sign, they are not go...
The Blues have made an effort to sign the best and youngest talent from around the world since the takeover by Clearlake.Chelsea are in talks to sign the son of Emmanuel EboueChelsea will have to pay compensation for Mathis EboueThe club are now in talks to sign Mathis Eboue from the Watford academy.The 15-year-old is, of course, the son of Arsenal cult hero Emmanuel Eboue.The Daily Mail have clai...
Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez signed a one-year contract extension, meaning he will continue to play in Major League Soccer next season.Suarez, who joined the Herons on a one-year contract in December, tied for second place in the MLS Golden Boot race and earned a nomination to the 2024 MLS newcomer of the year award."I'm very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to en...
United target Napoli's KvaratskheliaManchester United are reportedly showing strong interest in Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to SportMediaset. The 23-year-old Georgian star, under contract with Napoli until 2027, has yet to reach an agreement on an extension with the Serie A leaders. The Red Devils are prepared to table a lucrative five-year deal worth at least €8 million ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Big GabrielSporting 1-5 Arsenal Who will win this month's Manager of the Month award? What happens when you come up against Saliba and Gabriel... Wayne Rooney, a true legend on and off the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo in the iconic white and gold jersey brings back so many unforgettable memories! Throwback to THIS Beautiful Moment when Lionel Messi scored his 50th ca...
Bellingham admits 'vibrations' were key to Liverpool snubJude Bellingham has revealed how close he came to joining Liverpool, and the "vibrations" he felt when Real Madrid came calling."It wasn't as close as it was said," Bellingham said ahead of Real's Champions League clash with Liverpool. "There were conversations. There was Dortmund and I did it with several clubs. When Real Madrid call you, t...
Manchester City's Champions League match on Tuesday night was marred by crowd trouble, with Feyenoord fans causing chaos at the Etihad Stadium. The Dutch supporters, escorted by police from the city centre to the stadium, filled all three tiers of the South Stand.After City scored three goals, Feyenoord managed to net one with about 15 minutes left, leading to riot police stepping in to prevent cl...
Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists Mohamed Salah isn't unsettled over his contract situation.After scoring twice in victory at Southampton on Sunday, Salah revealed he had not heard from management about a new deal. His current contract expires in June."The only thing I can say is, if I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out," said Slot."I don't think he's distracted at all. I haven't seen that...
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he doesn't fully understand how the new Champions League format worked after his team earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday to improve their chances of reaching the knockout stage.Bayern needed a first-half goal from defender Kim Min-Jae to battle past 10-man PSG and claim a third win in five matches."I don't look at the table...
- 1 Chelsea make Nkunku sale call amid ManUtd interest
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 4 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year
- 5 Former Premier League star saved his wife and baby from house fire
- 6 Thierry Henry poses with rarely-seen partner Andrea on red carpet
- 7 Amorim targets Sporting Lisbon's Quenda
- 8 Ruben Amorim ‘could move to Ten Hag or Pogba’s old homes’
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 The secret and very normal jobs of England’s WAGs