Manchester United got off to winning ways with a 1-0 win against Fulham as the Premier League returned on Friday night.
After a goalless first half with several chances, the second 45 needed a moment to echo the game into life a bit more. It took 87 minutes for a goal to ripple the net but, for Joshua Zirkzee, it was a debut to remember, as his effort went past Bernd Leno in goal for Fulham.
Fulham did make a good name for themselves throughout the game as they challenged United right to the end, but it was their keeper who kept them in it with several saves made.
Obviously, Man United go top and Fulham are bottom but it’s gameweek one. Both sides will be looking to build on this opening result.
Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United were looking to start their league campaign off with a win after their Community Shield defeat to Man City. With key names like Rasmus Hojlund and new signing Leny Yoro out, there was room for this week’s new additions from Bayern Munich.
Noussair Mazraoui made his first start at right back and there was room on the bench for Matthijs De Ligt and he was joined by Zirkzee who remained there after not appearing at Wembley last week.
Fulham had also made some good business during the summer. Marco Silva brought in the likes of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal as the West London team were looking to repeat their glory of when they won at Old Trafford last season back in February. Fulham’s new boy started behind striker Rodrigo Muniz in his debut.
Only seconds in, a fine ball over from Casemiro found the path of the hurtling Marcus Rashford but the Englishman was flagged offside by quite a big margin.
Adama Traore showed off his pace for the visitors early on but his first pass was cut out well by debutant Mazraoui, and his own effort shortly after blazed over the bar.
One of the rising stars at Old Trafford, Amad Diallo got brought down by Calvin Bassey after a mazy run, but no penalty was given. Down the other end of the pitch, Fulham countered and Kenny Tete’s shot was saved well by Onana in what was the first clear-cut chance of the game.
The skipper for the Red Devils, Bruno Fernandes, had a half chance with a half volley which hit Bernd Leno’s side netting with 20 minutes on the clock. Despite a few good chances in the opening exchanges for both sides, the game remained goalless.
A good chance came Casemiro’s way just after the halfway mark in the opening 45. He hit the ball sweetly but the rest of the effort zoomed into the United crowd.
Soon after, Leno made a poor mistake at the back with a bad clearance and was fortunate to get his hands on Fernandes’ tame effort in which he should’ve scored. The Fulham keeper made another blinding save from the United captain again later on in the half after some good play by the hosts.
Man United’s Brazilian midfielder had another chance, similar to his others, but Casemiro saw his ball go skying over again with under five minutes to play in the first half.
The Red Devils had some decent chances but at half-time, it was goalless.
Despite having the odd moments in United’s half, Fulham didn’t really have many opportunities which bothered the United defence. Most of the good play was found in the visitor’s half from Ten Hag’s side. Smith Rowe had quite a quiet debut and was taken off during the second half.
Muniz forced Onana into a save shortly after United’s change. The Cameroonian just tipped the ball onto the roof of the net with nothing coming from the corner after too.
Lisandro Martinez made a crucial clearance off the line for the Reds after Fulham countered well with Tom Cairney. As time went on, the visitors improved as the United defence seemed to get more and more tense as a goal was desperately needed for both sides.
Zirkzee began a charge forward for Man United with resulted in Alejandro Garnacho playing the ball to Fernandes, who shot straight at Leno. It was getting even more frustrating for last season’s eighth-place team.
Finally, the game found a goal as Fernandes, Zirkzee, Casemiro and Garnacho all combined. The Argentinian dinked the ball towards Ten Hag’s Dutch signing and Zirkzee diverted the Reds into a 1-0 lead on his United debut, 87 minutes into the game.
Marcus Rashford had a golden chance to double his side’s lead. Bassey messed up at the back and United’s left winger was one on one. He played the ball to Garnacho who completely missed his kick and sent the ball wide.
It didn’t matter too much as full-time was blown not long after. Erik Ten Hag got the win he needed to begin the campaign in what is a crucial season for Manchester United, who were challenged well by Fulham as the game went on.
This 1-0 win sends the Red Devils top and they travel to Brighton and Hove Albion next week. Fulham will be looking to get their first win of the campaign after a defeat with some positives to take away as they host newly promoted Leicester City.
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