Erik ten Hag was delighted to see Manchester United debutant Joshua Zirkzee hit the ground running and believes his match-winning introduction will provide a huge boost to his confidence.
United’s opening game of the Premier League campaign against Fulham was heading towards a scoreless draw as the clock wound down at an expectant Old Trafford.
But summer signing Zirkzee ensured United would begin the campaign with a victory as he stretched to smartly direct home fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s cross in the 87th minute.
It was his first appearance for the Red Devils, having reported late for pre-season after going to Euro 2024 with the Netherlands and the former Bologna forward enjoyed a debut to cherish.
“It is very good for a striker coming into Manchester United and to score the winning goal in his first game,” Ten Hag said.
“I remember last season when Rasmus Hojlund in his first game scored a goal and we were all waiting on the halfway line, then VAR and after two minutes they came to the conclusion the ball was slightly over the line.
“Then it took long (for him to score his first Premier League goal) and he was so frustrated.
“For him, it’s very pleasing, very happy for him and that will encourage him. That will give him belief. For the fans, for everyone – it’s a very good start.”
Asked what made him want to sign Zirkzee, the United boss said: “There were more, he has some attributes we didn’t have.
“Straight (away) he showed it, but where he’s very good is his linking up, combinations.
“We have some good ball-playing offensive players, so they can take benefit from this.
“But what I wanted to say is he has to arrive in the box and to score goals, because the main attribute from a striker is score goals and he did.
“If it’s then the winner, then it’s very pleasing for everyone.”
A Premier League debut to remember for Joshua Zirkzee 👏#MUNFUL | #TheKickOff pic.twitter.com/EwNg3WccfG
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 16, 2024
Zirkzee was among three debutants on Friday night, with Noussair Mazraoui starting and Matthijs de Ligt brought off the bench following their Tuesday moves from Bayern Munich.
One player conspicuous by his absence from the team sheet was Jadon Sancho.
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund after being banished from the first team by Ten Hag, he came on in the Community Shield last weekend and missed a penalty.
“First of all, we need squad depth,” Ten Hag said. “It will be a season that is survival of the fittest but I can only put 20 players in the squad.
“I have to make choices and Jadon in the week had an ear infection and he was not 100 per cent fit for this.
“He could play but if you can make choices, I made the choice that we choose, we preferred other players on the bench.
“But that can change and will definitely change in the season where we have to rotate because we can’t play every game with the same.
“You see already today how important subs are, so we need the right bench and the right balance.
“Sometimes it is frustrating for the player but it’s about the team, it’s about the club.
“There will be more players who will be in this position but then we expect them to fight, fight for the club.
“We have so many games to play and everyone will have his minutes and then they have to prove it.”
While United head into the weekend high, Fulham return to the capital frustrated by a late loss at a ground in which they secured a famous 2-1 win in February.
𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒅𝒆𝒃𝒖𝒕 in the 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔! 💭❤️🔥#NothingLikeOranje https://t.co/a2rr0ke70h pic.twitter.com/zLkkavHdf7
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) August 16, 2024
Boss Marco Silva said: “I believe that we deserve more from the game in terms of result, definitely.
“The way, looking overall, I think we deserve more from the game.
“The games between us and Man United have been decided by margins.”
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