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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 24 minutes
Marco Silva remonstrates with the officials as a free kick fails to go Fulham’s way, Anthony Taylor talking the Portuguese manager round. Bruno Fernandes again finds the head of Casemiro from a free kick, but the Brazilian is once more offside.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 22 minutes
Harry Maguire has had a couple of better moments, though. He wins a header above Rodrigo Muniz with calm and command as Kenny Tete seeks his striker at the far post.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 20 minutes
Lee Carsley is enjoying a first outing as interim England boss, Gareth Southgate’s temporary (for now...) successor watching on from the stands. There hasn’t necessarily been much from messrs Mount or Rashford to suggest their England exile should be ended, though we are stiill in the opening jousts.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 17 minutes
Much better wrangling from Lisandro Martinez, lassoing Adama Traore in full flow and bumping him off the ball with a sturdy, but fair, shoulder.
On the other side, Noussair Mazraoui has largely had a handle on Alex Iwobi so far.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 15 minutes
A first sniff of goal for Manchester United. Amad Diallo’s delivery from a dead ball on the left is good but Casemiro is one of an over-eager quartet who are all offside as he strikes. His header failed to trouble Bernd Leno, anyway.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 14 minutes
Rodrigo Muniz then gets his head to the corner, though his sardined teammates can’t free themselves to capitalise on a loose ball.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 12 minutes
Kobbie Mainoo covers across neatly as Fulham look to spring a counter-attack from deep. Off goes Amad Diallo, showing a glimpse of his quickness but down much too easily under minimal contact.
That’s some effort - and some save! Kenny Tete surprises Andre Onana with a bending, dipping effort from 25 yards, the goalkeeper a little way off his line and thus retreating a touch. Onana has enough leap in his legs to get up to it and palm safely beyond the bar.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 9 minutes
Erik ten Hag is in full suit and tie tonight, buttons done up on his jacket as he peers out of his technical area. That will displease him, Rodrigo Muniz thrown away like an unwanted garment by Harry Maguire, who is rightly whistled for a cheap free kick.
Fulham make little of it.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 7 minutes
Yeesh. The search for Adama Traore’s end product is becoming a little like the hunt for Atlantis, but there is no denying he is some athlete. He burns by three Manchester United men up the touchline, scorching Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro particularly, but Traore can’t pick out one of three teammates drawing back into position on the edge of the box.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 6 minutes
Pereira plays it short to Adama Traore, who pats it back to the midfielder. That one-two allows Manchester United to close the space, though, and a deflection of an ankle sends Pereira’s eventual delivery looping into Andre Onana’s embracing arms.
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