Joshua Zirkzee came from the bench and made the difference as Manchester United defeated Fulham in their opening 2024-25 Premier League game.
The Red Devils left it late to take down the resilient Cottagers, who were determined to come out with at least a point at Old Trafford.
It looked as if it would be another frustrating night for United before the impact substitute, who joined this summer from Bologna, made the difference with the late goal.
Fulham made the first real attempts in the game and nearly pulled an upset at Old Trafford. Kenny Tete came close to making it count for the away side but was denied by Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
United skipper Bruno Fernandes lit the spark for Manchester United after that, forcing the visitors’ goalkeeper Bernd Leno to a series of saves at the other end.
Casemiro had a trio of his efforts missing the target while Mason Mount also came close to making it count but was denied by Bernd Leno’s brilliant save.
The first half ended with both sides unable to find the back of the net, but United were the better side with a couple of chances.
The second half was a no departure from the first, with United still holding sway over proceedings, but it was still a barren draw. The hosts came close to a series of chances to make it count but could not convert them.
And just as it looked like time was running out for a winner, Zirkzee superbly angled Alejandro Garnacho’s cross into the far corner, past the despairing dive of Leno, to earn United a late win.
With three minutes of regulation time left, the goal drew United close to an opening victory but it opened up proceedings for a nervy finish. Fulham pulled up late, committing several bodies forward in search of an equaliser but failed to nail it home.
Meanwhile, United came extremely close to making it count again just at the stroke of end of the game. Rashford had found Alejandro Garnacho with a pin-point pass and the Argentine had only Bernd Leno to beat but fired wide off target. It was an unbelievable miss.
United held on to grab a deserved 1-0 victory after the final whistle and open their Premier League campaign with a win, thanks to Joshua Zirkzee’s goal.
The victory over Fulham has seen United take their opening Premier League victories to 22 – the highest number of opening wins for any team in the English top flight.
Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee became the fourth Dutch footballer to score on his opening Premier League debut after Alexander Buttner, Donny van de Beek, and Ruud van Nistelroy.
They will hope to continue on winning ways as they travel to take on Brighton in their next match on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
