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, 84 minutes
And Erik ten Hag makes his fifth and final alteration soon after. Scott McTominay has been heavily linked with Fulham among plenty of other clubs this summer, but the Scot remains a Manchester United player, and is on for Kobbie Mainoo.
“He wants to play for Fulham!” is the cry from the away end.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 81 minutes
Erik ten Hag hands a debut to Matthijs de Ligt, the Dutch defender on alongside Jonny Evans in a surprise. Harry Maguire appears to have hurt himself and traipses off to stretch out some cramp, while Noussair Mazraoui is the other individual taken off.
From right to left: Diogo Dalot - Matthijs de Ligt - Jonny Evans - Lisandro Martinez.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 80 minutes
Bruno Fernandes hasn’t been at it in front of goal tonight. Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho combine effectively on the fast break, and Zirkzee creates room for his captain with a selfless overlapping surge to the left. The angle opens up for Fernandes to bend one to the corner but it’s easy for Bernd Leno to collect.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 78 minutes
This game has become messier than a teenager’s bedroom. Players from both sides are strewn around the Old Trafford pitch in a state of disorder, Fulham putting the pressure on but looking a little vulnerable at the back.
Marco Silva tries to restore some semblance of organisation with a couple of changes. Rodrigo Muniz and Adama Traore are replaced by Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez in a like-for-like double switch.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 76 minutes
Three corner in a row for Fulham as they try to tighten the vice, Manchester United looking uncomfortable as they are thoroughly examined. Calvin Bassey turns and swings but rather clumps his half-volley, allowing a clearance.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 74 minutes
A booking for Tom Cairney as he cuts down Alejandro Garnacho. There is no foul, though, as Garnacho goes down too easily under Andreas Pereira’s challenge, and off Fulham go, countering with speed. Lisandro Martinez gets a vital foot in.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 72 minutes
Diogo Dalot turns and gets his derriere in the direction of a drive from Adama Traore, who had cleverly darted into space.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 69 minutes
Little more than 20 minutes left and still we await the first goal of the new campaign. Matthijs de Ligt did look to have been potentially preparing himself to come on when Erik ten Hag made that double change, but surely the Manchester United manager would look at changes further forward at this juncture?
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 66 minutes
Howls of disappointment from the travelling Fulham fans - that’s a real waste from Andreas Pereira! The former Manchester United man strolls away over halfway after Rodrigo Muniz lures Lisandro Martinez out of position, the Argentina defender kippering himself with a slide tackle. That leaves Harry Maguire exposed against both an onrushing Pereira and Alex Iwobi, who has the freedom of the city advancing up the left.
Pereira seeks his colleague but has his ball cut out. There was no need for his pass to be in the same postcode as Maguire - it’s excellent defending, in the end, from the centre back but that is a real let-off for the home side.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 63 minutes
A first switch for the vistors, and Emile Smith Rowe’s debut is at an end. Club captain Tom Cairney replaces him in midfield.
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