Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign kicked off with a hard-fought and somewhat unconvincing 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. The match was decided by a late goal from new signing Joshua Zirkzee, who came off the bench to net the winner with just his seventh touch of the game. Despite securing the three points, Erik ten Hag’s side showed signs of vulnerability, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning whether the team is truly ready for the challenges ahead.

Zirkzee Saves the Day

Joshua Zirkzee, who was recently signed for £35 million from Bologna, made an immediate impact on his debut. Substituted on with half an hour to go, Zirkzee found himself in the right place at the right time, flicking Alejandro Garnacho’s cross into the net in the 87th minute. The goal was a relief for Manchester United, who had struggled to break down a resilient Fulham side throughout the match.

Zirkzee’s goal was the highlight of an otherwise frustrating evening for United. Despite controlling possession for large parts of the game, they found it difficult to create clear-cut chances. Fulham’s defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who made several key saves, kept United at bay until Zirkzee’s late intervention.

A Frustrating Performance

While the victory gives Manchester United a positive start to the season, the performance left much to be desired. Fulham started the game strongly, forcing Andre Onana into an early save and consistently threatening on the counterattack. Manchester United, on the other hand, looked disjointed at times, with key players like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes struggling to make an impact.

Ten Hag’s decision to bring on Zirkzee proved decisive, but the manager will be concerned about the overall display. The defense looked shaky at times, and the attack lacked the fluidity that fans have come to expect. With tougher tests ahead, including matches against top-four rivals, United will need to improve if they are to challenge for the title this season.

Fulham’s Missed Opportunities

Fulham, led by Marco Silva, will feel hard done by after a spirited performance that deserved more than a defeat. The visitors created several good chances, particularly in the second half, but were let down by poor finishing. Andreas Pereira, returning to Old Trafford, was guilty of missing two golden opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the game.

Silva was understandably frustrated after the match, expressing his disappointment at his team’s inability to capitalize on their chances. “It is really tough for us to lose this game the way we lost. We did not get the points I thought we deserved,” he said. Fulham will need to regroup quickly as they look to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles.

A Wake-Up Call for United

Manchester United may have secured the win, but the performance was far from convincing. Erik ten Hag will need to address the issues in defense and attack if his side is to compete at the highest level this season. For Fulham, the defeat will be a tough pill to swallow, but their performance suggests they can hold their own against the Premier League’s elite. As the season progresses, both teams will have to make significant improvements to achieve their respective goals.

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