Debutant Joshua Zirkzee fires Manchester United to victory over Fulham

Joshua Zirkzee forgiven Manchester United her blushes on the opening night of the Premier League 2024/25 season with an 87th-minute goal to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.

The goal came later Bruno Fernandes He masterfully rolled his defender to put the hosts away, before the ball found its way out to the touchline. Casemiro. The experienced midfielder then played in Alejandro Garnachoand his first cross was finished off with a cross by circus Beyond a stubborn Bernd Leno To make the key difference.

The hosts controlled much of the ball in the first half, while Marco Silva's Fulham The team remained rigid and compact, but if the first half was one-sided, that was not the case in the second.

Both teams came out firing and created countless chances in their bid to get their first Premier League goal of the season and both will feel they should come away with the points.

Mount Mason He thought he had given the hosts the lead when Marcus Rashford He broke away down the left flank to the Streford End and crossed to his compatriot, but the former Chelsea star's shot was again blocked by an inspired save. Leno-leather.

Kobe Maino He then shot just wide and a dangerous cross Garnacho It was almost turned home at the far post before circus He became the latest hero in red to send the home team to bed with all three points in their possession.

There should have been two when Rashford He escaped down the side and had just… Garnacho The English winger failed to make it, but his 20-year-old colleague slipped while trying to shoot with the goal open.

Fulham rue missed chances

Fulham looked dangerous from corners but should have undoubtedly taken the lead when… Rodrigo Muniz He found himself and a teammate against Harry Maguirebut the English centre-back could only get past the Brazilian and passed straight to his feet.

They then had another great chance when they found themselves in a three-on-two situation, but Iwobi's poor play played against them, before Lisandro Martinez He headed in a cross back, narrowly avoiding a catastrophic own goal.

Despite the defeat and disappointment, they can return to west London with their heads held high and high spirits ahead of the remaining 37 league games of the season ahead.