Manchester United opened the new season with three points as Erik ten Hag’s side beat Fulham thanks to a late Joshua Zirkzee strike.
The new Premier League season is underway and Manchester United hosted the first game of the campaign.
Erik ten Hag guided his side into battle against Fulham and it looked like ending in a 0-0 draw.
Joshua Zirkzee – snapped up from Bologna this summer – came off the bench to prod home the only goal of the game from Alejandro Garnacho’s cross.
This was a dream start for the Dutchman, handing United a narrow win on the opening day.
With Rasmus Hojlund out injured, Zirkzee may be looking to make a first Premier League start against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend.
Joshua Zirkzee on Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui
Zirkzee was not the only debutant on show for United against Fulham.
Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui signed from Bayern Munich last week and were both included against Fulham.
De Ligt came off the bench late on but Mazraoui started at right back with Diogo Dalot switching to left back.
Ten Hag coached both players at Ajax and will be delighted to have the pair on board.
Zirkzee has now given his verdict on the duo having actually crossed paths with Bayern long before joining forces at United.
Speaking to The Mirror (18/08, p63), Zirkzee noted that he thinks De Ligt and Zirkzee are both ‘great players’.
Zirkzee believes that both players will do ‘great things’ at Old Trafford but drew particular attention towards Mazraoui.
The striker suggested that Mazraoui had a ‘great game’, praising the Moroccan for a solid debut performance.
Zirkzee was impressed with De Ligt too and has really valued having those familiar faces around him at Old Trafford.
“They’re two great players and we’ll see in the future what they can bring,” said Zirkzee. “I’m sure they’ll do a lot of great things here. I think Mazraoui had a great game today and I think De Legit came in with a lot of good energy as well.”
“Yes, it’s good to have familiar faces around but everybody in the team has been very kind and it’s top being part of this group,” he added.
Zirkzee and De Ligt pushing for starts
Ten Hag gave De Ligt some minutes late on as Harry Maguire was substituted as a precaution.
Maguire may well return to face Brighton but Ten Hag does now have De Ligt to call upon.
Another full week of training and settling into the United squad may leave De Ligt ready to start on the South Coast.
The same goes for Zirkzee, though United actually looked a little more convincing without a striker than when Zirkzee came on.
Zirkzee’s link-up play was sharp and effective whilst his goal was a real poacher’s item.
Ten Hag will have to decide whether to stick or twist against the Seagulls but De Ligt and Zirkzee will give him plenty to think about in the build-up to that game.
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