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, 62 minutes
Rodrigo Muniz looks to conjure something, an audacious overhead kick seemingly off target but diverting dangerously off Kobbie Mainoo’s clavicle. Andre Onana makes certain it clears his crossbar.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 61 minutes
That should give Manchester United a slightly more recognisable shape, Bruno Fernandes dropping into the hole with Joshua Zirkzee up top and Alejandro Garnacho taking Diallo’s place on the right wing.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 60 minutes
Just two changes, for now. Amad Dialoo and Mason Mount, limping slightly on a sore ankle, are replaced by Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 58 minutes
It would appear that Joshua Zirkzee will soon be with us on Premier League debut, the striker stripping off at Erik ten Hag’s instruction. A couple more of Manchester United’s substitutes are also readying their entrances as Ten Hag prepares to roll the dice for the first time this season.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 55 minutes
Up goes the volume as Amad Diallo wins a corner. Fulham half-clear it but Kobbie Mainoo has a decent sighter from 20 yards soon after. Scuffed, slightly, and strimming the verge on its way wide of Bernd Leno’s goal.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 54 minutes
And the moment nearly arrives for Mason Mount! Marcus Rashford threatens with pace and purpose for the first time all night, and Mount joins him in a timely manner to rattle the shins of Bernd Leno from close range.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 52 minutes
Noussair Mazraoui waits an age for a teammate to come available as he readies a throw, and eventually a retreating Bruno Fernandes is found and fouled. The referee plays advantage, which the hosts fail to take, and Adama Traore is then hauled down at the other end by Marcus Rashford.
Andreas Pereira’s clip is comfortably claimed by Andre Onana but Manchester United need to reset and restart.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 49 minutes
A real buzz about Fulham at the start of the half, their intensity back up to the levels they began the game with after that second quarter lull. Another Pereira corner is flicked goalwards and thumped away in haste by a wild swing of a Manchester United boot. Diogo Dalot was alert at the far post but Fulham are posing a threat.
Manchester United 0-0 Fulham, 47 minutes
Tidy footwork from Emile Smith Rowe to shimmy between three Manchester United players, but he loses control of the ball and Lisandro Martinez nips in. Martinez’s clearance is woeful, though, and Alex Iwobi wins a corner out of Noussair Mazraoui.
Iwobi is up at the front stick to flick on Andreas Pereira’s delivery, though gets his header wrong. Andre Onana is untroubled.
Second half...
Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United’s new striker signing, was out doing a relatively strenuous warm-up at the interval, suggesting it may not be too long before we see the Dutchman in action.
No changes to either side at half time, though. Back underway.
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