Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory over Fulham in their Premier League season opener, thanks to a late goal by new signing Joshua Zirkzee at Old Trafford. The home fans were buzzing with excitement as four new signings were unveiled on the pitch before the game. However, United struggled to break down their opponent in the first half, with captain Bruno Fernandes coming the closest to scoring.
As the game progressed, frustrations grew among the supporters as it seemed like the winning goal was out of reach for the hosts. Substitute Zirkzee finally broke the deadlock three minutes from time, much to the relief of the United faithful. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Zirkzee expressed his joy at scoring in his first home game at the Stretford End, describing it as an amazing feeling.
Manchester United, a club with a rich history, has not won a Premier League title since 2013. Despite addressing key problem areas in the transfer market, last season’s eighth-place finish was disappointing for the fans. The expectations were high as the new season kicked off, but the team seemed to lack creativity in attack, struggling to carve out clear-cut chances against Fulham.
The game saw United’s goalkeeper André Onana making a crucial save to deny Kenny Tete, while Fernandes missed two gilt-edged opportunities. Midfielder Mason Mount, given a starting spot after a difficult first season, came close to scoring in the second half. However, the overall performance left much to be desired, with wayward passing drawing groans from the supporters.
Despite having a history of strong starts in Premier League campaigns, this match highlighted the work that still needs to be done for manager Erik ten Hag. While the late goal secured the three points for United, the overall performance was not convincing. The team will need to work on their attacking play and reduce errors in passing if they are to meet the expectations of the fans and the club’s storied history.