Manchester United vs Fulham LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Zirkzee marks debut with winner
Manchester United 1-0 Fulham: The Dutch debutant popped up late on to snatch victory
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Joshua Zirkzee struck late on as the Dutch striker’s debut goal handed Manchester United a narrow victory over Fulham in the opening game of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The hosts had toiled for long periods at Old Trafford having been unable to beat Bernd Leno in a first-half flurry of chances, and it was the visitors who looked the likelier side to break the deadlock in the second half. But Zirkzee, on as a second half substitute after a summer switch from Bologna, produced a moment of quality on his full debut, deftly opening up his foot to divert a cross into the corner and pinch the points.
It meant a solid start to the new season for Erik ten Hag, backed in the summer by the club’s hierarchy despite an up-and-down campaign last time around. The Dutchman handed a starting debut to new addition Noussair Mazraoui and also utilised Matthijs de Ligt from the bench, though a scratchy performance at both ends of the pitch may be reason for concern.
Fulham, meanwhile, were bright enough, and will feel disappointed not to have truly tested Andre Onana more regularly, allowing Zirkzee to pop up with the winner as the new season got underway.
Re-live all the action from Old Trafford with our live blog below:
HT: Manchester United 0-0 Fulham
Fulham’s game for 20 minutes, Manchester United’s for the rest of the half, and both sides trudge down the tunnel reasonably content. Erik ten Hag’s side took a bit of time to settle into their striking, striker-less new look but have begun to create chances: Bruno Fernandes might have made more of two opportunities one-on-one with Bernd Leno, and Casemiro has loomed large like a lighthouse at set pieces.
Fulham’s best effort so far came from Kenny Tete, the right-back forcing an acrobatic tip over the bar, but the visitors seem happy enough to bide their time, understandably. They’ll be back out for more in a bit.
HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Fulham
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 45 minutes
Into stoppage time at the end of the half, a minimum of 60 seconds more to be played. It’s not necessarily been a rip-roaring start to the new season but both teams have offered enough, and Manchester United particularly, to indicate there may be more to come.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 42 minutes
Diogo Dalot takes ball and all in a sliding challenge as Adama Traore tries to get out of the blocks. Traore is perplexed not to have been rewarded with either a foul or a throw in, and is still moaning at the officials when he is picked out for a foul a minute later. Manchester United have adjusted well to his threat.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 40 minutes
Emile Smith Rowe gets back to deny Mason Mount the chance to deliver from a crossing position. Is the midfielder in trouble here, though? Harry Maguire looks to be first to a bouncing ball in the Fulham box...
But it’s a dive! Rob Jones goes immediately to his pocket and Maguire is booked for a theatrical tumble. Smith Rowe did jab a toe at him but it was some distance from the defender’s thigh.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 37 minutes
Casemiro has been a beacon in the box for Manchester United so far, and he’s positioned himself correctly this time, fading to power a header down into the floor as Amad Diallo’s inswinger finds him. The Brazilian is a little disappointed not to test Leno, misdirecting his downward thrust and watching it bounce into the side netting.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 34 minutes
Super stop! There is Manchester United’s flow and fluency, Kobbie Mainoo finding Mason Mount, Casemiro providing support, Bruno Fernandes slotted in behind. Fernandes again can’t beat Bernd Leno, though, the left leg this time the hindering limb. Excellent work from Leno, but Manchester United are getting ever closer.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 32 minutes
It’s not necessarily been fluent football, but a polite ripple of applause around Old Trafford acknowledges a reasonably bright ten minutes from their team. Bruno Fernandes tiptoes into the box and almost connects with a looping cross from the left, raising an approving thumb to his colleague before trotting back into position.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 28 minutes
A huge chance! Bernd Leno spares his own blushes, an awful error in possession from the goalkeeper leaving him one-on-one with Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes gets cute, trying to banana a finish into the far corner past Leno’s right leg, but he starts the bend too close to the German, who thrusts out his limb and denies the Manchester United captain.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 26 minutes
Manchester United build a bit of pressure, trapping Fulham in their own defensive third. It’s disappointing from Casemiro, in the end, skying a curling effort from distance, but there are signs that the hosts are beginning to settle into this unconventional shape.
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