Joshua Zirkzee’s Manchester United debut couldn’t have been scripted better, as his late goal secured a tense 1-0 victory over Fulham, extending United’s record to a 22nd opening day top-flight win. Despite United’s dominance in possession, they struggled to break down a resilient Fulham side, with Bernd Leno standing firm in goal. The Red Devils had several chances, notably through Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, but it was Zirkzee, coming off the bench in the 61st minute, who made the difference. With just minutes left on the clock, the Dutch striker latched onto a cross from Alejandro Garnacho, poking the ball home to give Erik ten Hag’s side a hard-earned victory in a match where their defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed.
United’s Struggles in Breaking Down Fulham
Manchester United began the match with high expectations after a productive transfer window that saw the arrivals of Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui. However, as the game unfolded, it became clear that Fulham had come prepared to frustrate the Red Devils. Despite controlling possession, United found it difficult to penetrate Fulham’s well-organized defense, with goalkeeper Bernd Leno making several crucial saves.
Casemiro, one of United’s key players, had multiple opportunities to put his side ahead. In one instance, following some promising build-up play involving Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro blazed his strike over the bar. He later capitalized on a misplaced clearance by Leno to set up Bruno Fernandes, but the Portuguese midfielder’s effort was straight at the German goalkeeper. The first half ended goalless, with United clearly in need of a spark to break the deadlock.
Fulham’s Resilience Tested United’s Defense
As the second half progressed, Fulham grew in confidence, exploiting United’s defensive weaknesses on the counter-attack. Lisandro Martínez’s goal-line clearance prevented former United player Andreas Pereira from punishing his old club, while André Onana had to be alert to parry away a speculative effort from Rodrigo Muniz.
United’s backline appeared vulnerable, and it was clear that Fulham was capable of snatching a goal if given the opportunity. However, Erik ten Hag’s decision to introduce fresh legs in the form of Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee proved to be the game-changer.
Zirkzee’s Match-Winning Debut
Joshua Zirkzee’s introduction in the 61st minute injected new energy into United’s attack. The Dutch striker, eager to make an impact on his debut, did not disappoint. With just three minutes left on the clock, Garnacho delivered a well-placed cross into the box, and Zirkzee was perfectly positioned to prod the ball past Leno, securing a late 1-0 victory for Manchester United.
The goal not only marked a dream debut for Zirkzee but also highlighted his potential as a key player for United this season. His instinctive finish was a rare moment of quality in what had been an otherwise challenging match for the Red Devils. The win, though hard-fought, extended United’s record of opening day victories to 22, a testament to their resilience.
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