MANCHESTER:
A late goal by new signing Joshua Zirkzee earned Manchester United a nervy 1-0 victory over Fulham in their Premier League season opener at Old Trafford on Friday.
Home supporters were in buoyant mood ahead of the first game of the English top-flight campaign, with four players unveiled on the pitch and new faces in the United boardroom also in attendance.
Just as they did at home for much of last season, however, United struggled to break down their opponents in the first half, with captain Bruno Fernandes going closest to scoring the opener.
Frustrations grew after the break, only for Dutch substitute Zirkzee to arrive right on cue three minutes from time to earn United victory.
“To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better,” Zirkzee told Sky Sports.
“I’ve been told (scoring at the Stretford End) is one of the best feelings at Man United. I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.
“Manchester United is a huge club. You should always strive for the best. It’s all good vibes.”
Without a Premier League title since 2013 and having addressed key problem areas in the transfer market, United supporters are expecting better than their eighth-placed finish last term.
Fine evening
When the action started on a fine evening, however, the mood around the stadium was less enthusiastic as United again looked short of ideas in attack.
A smart save from goalkeeper Andre Onana kept an early curling Kenny Tete effort out while Fernandes was presented with two golden opportunities but was denied by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno.
Midfielder Mason Mount, handed a starting spot after an injury-ravaged first season in Manchester, went close early in the second half.
More wayward passing led to groans from supporters, however, before despair turned to jubilation at the death when substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee combined to create the winner.
United have more wins and more points from their opening games of Premier League campaigns than any other team, but this performance suggested there is still much to be done for manager Erik ten Hag.
“Subs are always important and it was good to see in the first game that you bring a sub on and he scores the winner,” Ten Hag said.
“Against Fulham it is always a difficult game, but we defended and pressed very well. After 10 minutes we found our spell in the game and we kept them under pressure. We created a lot of chances and we should have scored earlier and that is the only criticism of the team – kill in the box.”
Fulham manager Marco Silva was disappointed to take nothing from the match.
“It is really tough for us to lose this game the way we lost,” he said.
“We started really well, after 20 minutes good reaction from Man United. We adjusted at halftime and the second half was much better. When you play against Manchester United…there were moments and we had to punish them.”
