New signee Joshua Zirkzee scores late debut winner as Man Utd see off Fulham (Watch Goal video )

New signy  Joshua Zirkzee scores late debut winner as Man Utd see off Fulham (Watch Goal video )

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring the winner on his debut (Martin Rickett/PA).

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring the winner on his debut (Martin Rickett/PA).

Joshua Zirkzee enjoyed a dream debut as the summer signing came off the bench to earn Manchester United a late victory in Friday’s Premier League opener against Fulham.

After a summer of speculation and change behind the scenes, Erik ten Hag – retained after winning the FA Cup against Manchester City – wanted to start the season with a bang at a packed Old Trafford.

United showed promise in patches but looked set to be frustrated by Marco Silva’s Fulham, only for Zirkzee to turn in a cross from fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho in a late 1-0 win.

The Netherlands international did not play a minute of United’s pre-season friendlies, having arrived late following Euro 2024 and his 61st-minute introduction proved inspired.

Zirkzee, signed from Bologna, was brought on as part of a double change alongside Garnacho, whose cross he prodded home to secure an opening-night triumph in the 87th minute.

It was some introduction on a night that began with the Netherlands international and United’s three other summer signings being welcomed by the Old Trafford faithful.

There was a feel-good factor around the ground, but Fulham looked undaunted as Adama Traore surged down the right and saw a cutback cut out by Red Devils debutant Noussair Mazraoui.

There was a huge early roar as Lisandro Martinez barged the rapid winger off the ball, before United’s own fleet-footed wide man got bums off seats.

Amad Diallo’s penalty appeal at the end of that run fell on deaf ears and Fulham broke, with Kenny Tete’s 25-yard curler needing to be turned over by Andre Onana.

“We want Glazers out” chanted fans as co-owner Avram Glazer watched from the directors’ box with United looking smart in patches without creating clear-cut chances.

Their first came in the 29th minute as an impressive press led Bernd Leno to cough up possession, only for the goalkeeper to deny Bruno Fernandes after Casemiro had cut out his pass.

The Fulham shot-stopper spread himself again to deny the United captain soon after as quick build-up play ended with Casemiro superbly slipped in the Portuguese to get away a shot.

The Brazil international headed narrowly wide and then volleyed far further off target as the first half of the season ended scoreless.

Fulham unsteadied the hosts when the second half got under way and had a couple of half-chances from corners.

But United quickly shook off that raggedness, with Mason Mount denied after a Marcus Rashford burst before Kobbie Mainoo fired inches wide.

Fulham were having to defend well but were still creating chances, with Onana stopping a blocked Rodrigo Muniz overhead kick looping in before some stupendous Harry Maguire defending.

The visitors had a two-on-one opportunity, but the centre-back held his ground and cut out former United midfielder Andreas Pereira’s ball in the 66th minute.

Fulham again outnumbered the Red Devils on the break in the 74th minute, but once more they failed to capitalise. This time Martinez made the key intervention, cutting out Pereira’s ball to the far post at the end of a sweeping move.

A Fernandes shot was plucked out of the air by Leno as the clock wound down towards what appeared set to be a goalless draw.

But for the issues United have under Ten Hag their spirit can rarely be questioned and Zirkzee bought straight into it.

The new arrival played wide and ran into the box three minutes from time, stretching to direct Garnacho’s cross from the right past Leno in front of the Stretford End.

Provider Garnacho should have added to that goal in stoppage time after Rashford’s selfless pass after a Calvin Bassey error but the Argentina winger somehow missed an open goal.

Tags

Premier League

Fulham

Manchester United

Related Articles

Haji Wright scored two of Coventry’s goal in the victory (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Haji Wright late winner gives Coventry victory over Oxford

Match reports

11 hours ago

Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren crash out of Europe (Steve Welsh/PA)

St Mirren bow out of Europe thanks to late Brann brace in Bergen

Match reports

1 day ago

Josh Coburn scored Middlesbrough’s third goal (Nick Potts/PA)

Middlesbrough maul Leeds to reach Carabao Cup second round

Match reports

2 days ago

Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth claimed a 3-0 win against Cheltenham (Adam Davy/PA)

Wayne Rooney off and running as Plymouth boss with victory over Cheltenham

Match reports

2 days ago

Charlie McNeill (right) scored twice (Nigel French/PA)

Charlie McNeill scores twice on Sheff Wed debut to seal cup victory at Hull

Match reports

2 days ago

Ben Jackson netted Barrow’s cup winner (Will Matthews/PA)

Ben Jackson scores winner to send Barrow into League Cup second round

Match reports

3 days ago

Bolton goalkeeper Luke Southwood starred in the shootout (Martin Rickett/PA)

Debutant Luke Southwood shines in shootout to help Bolton knock out Mansfield

Match reports

3 days ago

Barnsley won a penalty shoot-out to reach the Carabao Cup second round (Mike Egerton/PA)

Barnsley debutant goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina is Carabao Cup shoot-out hero

Match reports

3 days ago

Jack Roles netted twice as Crawley beat Swindon (Robbie Stephenson/PA)

Jack Roles at the double as Crawley beat Swindon

Match reports

3 days ago

Josh Gordon netted the winning penalty as Walsall advanced (Nigel French/PA)

Villain turns hero as Josh Gordon nets winning Walsall penalty in cup comeback

Match reports

3 days ago