In a dramatic Premier League opener at Old Trafford, Joshua Zirkzee made an unforgettable debut for Manchester United, scoring a crucial late goal to secure a 1-0 victory over Fulham. The Dutch international, who completed a £36.5 million ($47 million) transfer from Bologna just last month, stepped up when it mattered most, ensuring that United began their 2024/25 season with a vital three points.
Despite being short on match fitness, Zirkzee was introduced by manager Erik ten Hag in the final half-hour of the game, with the match still deadlocked. As the clock ticked down, it seemed that United might be headed for a frustrating draw, but Zirkzee had other ideas. In the 87th minute, he connected with a low cross from Alejandro Garnacho, cleverly poking the ball past Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno to send the Old Trafford faithful into raptures.
Reflecting on his dream debut, Zirkzee expressed his delight: “To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better. Scoring at the Stretford End is something I’ve heard so much about, and to experience it in my first game is an amazing feeling.” The joy and relief were palpable, both in the player’s celebration and in the reaction of the crowd, who had been anxious for a breakthrough.
For Manchester United, this win was more than just three points—it was a statement of intent for the season ahead. Erik ten Hag, who managed to secure his position at the club by winning the FA Cup last season despite a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League, will be looking to build on this victory as he navigates the challenges of the new campaign. However, the Dutchman was quick to acknowledge that his side still has much to improve.
“I’ve seen many spaces where we need to get better, but that is normal,” Ten Hag said in his post-match press conference. “The win is important to build belief, and that’s what we will focus on.” His comments reflected both satisfaction with the result and an understanding that there is still work to be done if United is to compete at the top end of the table this season.
The match itself was a tense affair, with United struggling to find their rhythm for much of the first half. Fulham, who had secured a rare victory at Old Trafford in February of the previous season, started the game confidently. Their early pressure nearly paid off when Kenny Tete’s long-range effort forced a fine save from United’s new goalkeeper, Andre Onana. It was a warning sign for Ten Hag’s men, who were slow to get out of the blocks.
As the game progressed, United began to assert themselves, with Bruno Fernandes—deployed as a makeshift center-forward in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund—missing a couple of golden opportunities. Twice the Portuguese star found himself in promising positions but was denied by the reflexes of Bernd Leno, who was having an outstanding game in Fulham’s goal. Mason Mount, still searching for his first goal in a United shirt after joining from Chelsea, also came close, only to be thwarted by Leno’s quick reactions.
The second half saw Ten Hag turn to his bench in search of inspiration, bringing on Garnacho and Zirkzee to add fresh legs and energy to United’s attack. The decision proved to be a masterstroke. Garnacho’s introduction immediately injected pace and directness down the right flank, while Zirkzee’s presence in the box gave United a focal point they had been lacking.
Fulham, sensing the opportunity to repeat last season’s success at Old Trafford, remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Andreas Pereira, a former United player, nearly set up a goal for Alex Iwobi, but a misplaced pass allowed United’s defense to recover. Moments later, Lisandro Martinez made a crucial clearance to prevent Pereira’s low cross from reaching its intended target, keeping United’s hopes of a clean sheet alive.
As the game approached its final minutes, United’s pressure finally paid off. Garnacho, with his quick feet and determination, managed to whip in a cross that, while not perfect, found Zirkzee in the box. The Dutch striker’s instinctive finish was enough to beat Leno and secure the victory.
United had a chance to double their lead in stoppage time when Marcus Rashford, who had been relatively quiet throughout the game, unselfishly squared the ball to Garnacho. However, the young Argentine winger missed an open goal, much to the disbelief of the crowd. Fortunately for United, the miss did not prove costly, as they held on to claim the win.
For Ten Hag, the match highlighted both the potential and the challenges facing his team this season. The narrow victory, secured by Zirkzee’s late heroics, provided a much-needed confidence boost but also underscored the areas where improvement is necessary.
As Manchester United looks to build on this positive start, fans will be hoping that the team can find consistency and avoid the pitfalls that plagued them last season. With a demanding schedule ahead and key players still returning to full fitness, Ten Hag will need to manage his squad carefully. However, if Zirkzee’s debut is anything to go by, the Dutch manager may have found a new hero to lead United’s charge back to the top of the Premier League.
