Manchester United overcome Fulham 1-0 in Premier League 2024-25 opener
Joshua Zirkzee scored on debut for Manchester United who started the 2024-25 Premier League season on a winning note at Old Trafford. Coming on as a second-half substitute, Zirkzee scored for the Red Devils versus Fulham in the 87th minute. Alejandro Garnacho provided the assist. Man United could have scored a second goal late on but Garnacho missed a glorious chance. Here's more.
Goalless at the break
It was goalless at the break and Manchester United ended the half strongly. Andre Onana produced a brilliant save to deny Kenny Tete. It was Bruno Fernandes, who was twice denied by Bernd Leno at the other end. Casemiro was solid and provided the two perfect passes for Fernandes, who should have done better. Former Real Madrid player Casemiro produced a real box-to-box display.
A look at the first half stats
Man United had two shots on target compared to Fulham's one. United's 0.89 expected goals were better than Fulham's 0.09. Man United had 11 touches in the opposition box to Fulham's six. United had 61% ball possession and completed 81 passes in the final third.
An end to end stuff in the second half
Fulham started as the brighter side in the second half. However, it was Man United who produced a counter attack at pace and Mason Mount, who latched into Marcus Rashford's threaded pass, shot straight at Leno. Rodrigo Muniz's acrobatic overheaded kick took a deflection and looped up but Onana was there. Both sides had their moments as the game went end to end.
Zirkzee scores on debut for Man United
Zirkzee played a crucial role as he was involved in the build collecting Fernandes' pass to find Casemiro, who picked Garnarcho. The Argentine's cross saw Zirkzee get a poke in to steer the ball into the net.
Here are the match stats
Man United had 14 attempts with five shots on target. Fulham clocked two shots on target from 10 attempts. Man United had 23 touches in the opposition box compared to Fulham's 22. Man United completed 113 touches in the final third to Fulham's 56.
Fourth different Dutchman to score on Premier League debut (MUFC)
As per Opta, Zirkzee became the fourth different Dutchman to score on his Premier League debut for United after Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alexander Buttner and Donny van de Beek. He is also the 15th Dutch player to score on his Premier League debut. United paid €42.5m to land Zirkzee from Bologna. He signed a five-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
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A look at some of the crunch stats
Manchester United have more wins (22) and more points (70) from their opening games of Premier League campaigns than any other side. United have scored in each of their last 29 home games against Fulham in all competitions since a 2-0 loss in April 1963. Fulham lost their opening match of a Premier League season when starting away for the first time since 2008-09.
