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:
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 5 minutes
Harry Maguire sends his shoulder into Antonee Robinson before sliding to make certain of his tackle, a flick of his foot on the way out granting Fulham a throw. Robinson looks backward and his defensive colleagues work the angles, allowing Andreas Pereira a sliver of space. He wriggles by Kobbie Mainoo, who drags him back - a free kick in a handy spot for the Brazilian.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 3 minutes
Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes are forming a front two of sorts for Manchester United, each ebbing and flowing like tides as they chalenge Fulham’s defensive shape. Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo provide the width.
It’s a 4-3-3 for Fulham, Andreas Pereira and Emile Smith Rowe just ahead of Sasa Lukic in midfield. The new addition gets a useful foot in as Smith Rowe goes his defensive work diligently.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 1 minute
Brief excitement around Old Trafford as Marcus Rashford is sprung beyond the right side of the Fulham defence by a neat pass from Casemiro, the Brazilian bending it up the touchline with the outside of his boot. Rashford had strayed too soon, though, as the linesman’s hoisted flag confirms.
KICK OFF!
The new Premier League season is underway!
Manchester United vs Fulham
Referee Rob Jones will be peeping the first whistle of the new campaign. It looks like Diogo Dalot will be on the left of Manchester United’s back four and new man Noussair Mazraoui on the right flank.
Manchester United vs Fulham
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Team news - Fulham
Emile Smith Rowe starts for Fulham, while Rodrigo Muniz, as expected, gets the nod ahead of Raul Jimenez up front.
Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz.
Team news - Manchester United
Noussair Mazraoui is thrown straight into the starting side by Erik ten Hag, who leaves fellow new addition Matthijs de Ligt on the bench. Marcus Rashford looks set to lead the line.
Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui; Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes (c); Mount, Rashford, Amad.
Manchester United vs Fulham team news on the way...
A new Premier League directive this season means that we are expecting team news slightly sooner than has become custom, clubs now releasing their squads to the public 75 minutes before kick off, rather than an hour ahead of the whistle. That means that the two sides should be with us imminently - will Erik ten Hag hand immediate debuts to his two new recruits? And does Emile Smith Rowe slot straight in to Fulham’s lead creative role?
Man Utd vs Fulham LIVE
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the first match of the Premier League season!
Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford at 8pm, and we’ll have all the build-up, team news and match coverage right here.
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