By Web Desk 
Manchester United kicked off their Premier League campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford, thanks to a late strike from debutant Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward, who joined United from Bologna for £36.5 million ($47 million) last month, came off the bench to make an immediate impact, securing all three points for Erik ten Hag’s side in their season opener.
Despite lacking full match fitness, Zirkzee was introduced in the final 30 minutes, replacing Bruno Fernandes, who had been deployed in an unfamiliar center-forward role due to Rasmus Hojlund’s injury. United had struggled to break down a resilient Fulham defense, and frustration was beginning to mount among the home fans as the clock ticked down. However, Zirkzee delivered when it mattered most, calmly finishing a cross from Alejandro Garnacho in the 87th minute to send the Stretford End into raptures.
“To score on my debut at Old Trafford, in front of the Stretford End, it’s a dream come true,” said Zirkzee after the match. “I’ve heard so much about the atmosphere here, and to experience it like this in my first game is something special. I’m grateful for the opportunity and couldn’t have asked for a better start.”
Erik ten Hag, who faced significant pressure at the end of last season despite winning the FA Cup, expressed satisfaction with the win but acknowledged there is room for improvement. “It’s a good start, but we have areas we need to work on,” Ten Hag said. “The win is important for our confidence, but I know we can perform better.”
Tactical Adjustments and Squad Challenges
Ten Hag revealed before the match that his team was not fully prepared for the season, citing injuries and fitness concerns. This was evident in the starting lineup, with Bruno Fernandes leading the attack in Hojlund’s absence and new signing Noussair Mazraoui making his debut at left-back just days after arriving from Bayern Munich.
The absence of Jadon Sancho, who was left out of the squad despite reports that he had patched things up with Ten Hag, raised eyebrows. The winger’s exclusion, along with the makeshift attacking setup, highlighted the challenges Ten Hag faces as he looks to build on last season’s mixed results.
Fulham, who secured a shock victory at Old Trafford in February, started the match brightly and could have taken the lead through Kenny Tete’s long-range effort, which was well saved by Andre Onana. United, however, gradually found their rhythm, with Fernandes and Mason Mount both denied by impressive saves from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Zirkzee’s Moment of Magic
As the match entered its final stages, Ten Hag turned to his bench, bringing on Garnacho and Zirkzee in search of a breakthrough. The decision paid off in the 87th minute when Garnacho’s cross found Zirkzee, who managed to poke the ball past Leno despite the Fulham defense’s close attention. The goal was enough to secure a hard-fought victory for United, who nearly added a second in stoppage time when Garnacho missed a golden opportunity set up by Marcus Rashford.
“It was a tough game, but we showed resilience,” Ten Hag said. “We need to be more clinical, but the players fought hard and deserved the win. Zirkzee made an excellent debut, and it’s a positive sign for the future.”
Fulham’s Missed Opportunities
Fulham had their chances to spoil United’s party, particularly when Andreas Pereira’s misplaced pass denied Alex Iwobi a clear run at goal. Moments later, Lisandro Martinez made a crucial clearance to prevent Pereira from finding the net with a dangerous cross.
In the end, it was United who took the spoils, giving Ten Hag the winning start he desperately needed. As the Red Devils look to build momentum in the coming weeks, Zirkzee’s debut heroics will undoubtedly be a major talking point for fans and pundits alike.