Manchester United have won their first match of the new Premier League season against Fulham but only by the skin of their teeth.
The 2024-25 Premier League season is now up and running with Manchester United kicking things off with a 1-0 victory over Fulham.
It was a messy match with both sides missing great chances to take the lead and Erik ten Hag’s side often struggling to catch a break.
But debutant Joshua Zirkzee made the difference as he directed Alejandro Garnacho’s cross into the bottom corner for the decisive goal in the 87th minute.
Garnacho would miss an absolute sitted in added time – after Bruno Fernandes had earlier missed two great chances – but United emerged with the three points.
You can see how the action unfolded below.
- A DEBUT FOR MAZRAOUI
- 12′ ONANA CALLED INTO ACTION
- 28′ FERNANDES MISSES SITTER!
- 65′ SENSATIONAL MAGUIRE DEFENDING
- 87′ GOAAAAL! ZIRKZEE!
- Full-time: United 1-0 Fulham
That’s all
Thank you for joining our live coverage and we hope you enjoy the win! Have a lovely weekend!
Full-time: United 1-0 Fulham
It was difficult and ugly at times but United have managed to scape a win on the first day of the season. They have debutant Joshua Zirkee to thank with his excellent finish the difference.
90′ What a miss!
Bassey swings and misses his clearance, Rashford is through on goal and passes to Garnacho but he completely miss hits and it and squanders an easy goal. Fantasy Premier League players across the lang go mad.
[Link]90′ Nearly a great goal!
Zirkzee and Fernandes show off some fantastic skill in the build up in the Fulham half, with the latter eventually getting the ball in the box but Garnacho is crowded out. What a goal that would have been.
[Link]88′ That’s what Garnacho brings
Garnacho might have had a bad game but he can be relied upon to deliver one moment of deciive quality and he gets the assist for the goal.
87′ GOAAAAL! ZIRKZEE!
Zirkzee scores!
Fernandes starts the move, of course, by winning the ball and building the attack. Zirkzee passes it out wide, Garnacho scuffs a cross into the area and Zirkzee meets it to direct it into the bottom corner.
[Link]85′ Garnacho has had a shocker
He might go on to get the winner now but this appearance off the bench has been poor from Garnacho. He has twice thrown himself on the ground and lost the ball, leading to Fulham counters, and has done little with it when staying on his feet.
[Link]81′ Tete denies Rashford
United get in behind through Garnacho. He slides it across in search of Rashford for a tap in but the fallen Tete somehow manages to get a toe on the ball and stop it from getting to him.
[Link]80′ Double United change
Mazraoui and Maguire, who looks to have picked up a knock, have gone off for Evans and De Ligt. That sees Dalot to right-back and Martinez to left-back.
[Link]80′ Fernandes has a tame shot on goal
Zirkzee makes a run that creates some space for Fernandes on the edge of the box but his shot lacks venom and is easily gathered by Leno.
[Link]76′ It’s getting messy
Casemiro and especially Maguire do just enough to keep Muniz from having a shot on goal from a few yards out, with Onana eventually collecting.
United haven’t been able to string a good move together since Mount left the field.
Wilson and Jimenez are on for Muniz and Traore.
[Link]75′ Fulham have the momentum now
Fulham have just had three corners in succession and though they came to nothing they worried United, who are looking vulnerable. The visitors are looking the more likely to win at the moment.
[Link]73′ Vital Martinez block
Garnacho loses the ball as he tries to win a free-kick and Fulham break with speed. Pereira gets in on the left but Martinez is there to divert his low pass out for a corner in a dangerous position.
[Link]72′ Cairney the latest to be booked
He’s only been on the pitch a few minutes but Cairney has been booked for upending the tricking Garnacho.
[Link]69′ Pereira booked
Pereira is shown yellow, possibly for brandishing an imaginary card to try and get Martinez booked. He had a case as the Argentine prevented a quick free-kick from being taken.
[Link]67′ Dalot makes a good chance
Dalot drives inside and delivers a wicked cross but Robinson steals it off Garnacho’s head with a vital touch. Both teams are getting forward and this game could still go either way.
65′ Sensational from Maguire
Fulham break and have a huge two-on-one opportunity but Maguire is intercept Pereira’s poor pass to Iwobi and end the chance.
[Link]61′ Onana saves
Muniz attempts an acrobatic overhead kick which deflects off Mainoo and loops towards goal. It’s awkward for Onana who is forced to tip it over. The corner goes out for another.
[Link]58′ Double United change
Zirkzee and Garnacho are on for Mount and Amad. It’s a debut for the Dutch striker.
55′ Mainoo wide!
Amad’s corner is cleared but Fernandes keeps it alive, switching to Rashford. Mount and Casemiro then link up well to tee up Mainoo but his shot flashes wide of the post.
A great move and the momentum is building in United’s favour.
[Link]52′ Leno saves again
Mount steals in and directs the ball goalwards but Leno is there to save once again.
[Link]49′ Fulham start well again
Fulham are on the front foot to start antoher half and Dalot is forced to clear a strong header at a corner.
[Link]47′ Strange from Martinez
What was Martinez doing there? He gets his clearance wrong and it goes out for a corner which then heads over. Gets away with one.
[Link]An even first half
Fulham were the better side in the opening 20 minutes, creating some good openings, but United grew into the game and appeared to havea functioning press for once.
Bruno Fernandes squadnered two golden chances and Casemiro was dangerous as the half ended goalless. A promising start for Mazraoui.
41′ United turning the screw
United are piling on the pressure and getting chances on goal but haven’t found the breakthrough yet.
[Link]36′ Casemiro close again
Casemiro meets Amad’s header and directs into the ground but it bounces up onto the roof of the net. The Brazilian is being a real threat going forward.
[Link]34′ Leno stops Fernandes again
Casemiro plays another fantastic pass in Fernandes who is clear on goal but is smothered by Leno. Two chances wasted now.
28′ Fernandes denied! Huge chance!
Fernandes gets played through on goal but Leno comes out and saves his shot. A great chance goes begging with by a fine saving.
[Link]20′ Fernandes hits side netting
Fernandes latches onto a long ball at the far post but hits the side netting from a tight angle.
[Link]18′ Game is getting stretched
This game is getting end-to-end with United being played through remarkbly easily for a side with four central midfielders. United really need to get control in the middle.
17′ A booking for Mount
Smith Rowe is looking creative on the ball and as he drives forward Mount barges him over and earns the first yellow card of the season.
[Link]16′ Excellent Martinez challenge
Traore shapes up to go past Martinez again but this time the Argentine muscles the winger off the ball.
[Link]14′ Casemiro heads over
United get a free-kick in a good crossing position, Casemiro meets the ball and heads just over but the flag is up.
[Link]12′ Onana forced into action
Tete bends one to the top corner but Onana springs across to claw it away.
Amad wanted a penalty at the other end but it’s not a foul.
[Link]8′ Traore fires wide
Fulham are getting some joy playing through United as Muniz carries the ball before finding Traore who then shoots well wide.
[Link]6′ Mazraoui to the rescue
Martinez gets roasted for pace by Traore as he charges into the box but Mazraoui gets across to make a crucial sliding interception to clear the danger.
[Link]5′ Mazraoui looks sharp
Mazraoui has looked calm in possession and challenged Iwobi well when he first got the ball. It’s been a promising start from the right-back.
[Link]1′ Bright start
Rashford is played through in the opening seconds by a great Casemiro pass but he’s well off-side.
[Link]Ruud is in the house
It’s new coach Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match back at Old Trafford.
Keane explains what he likes about Mainoo
Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage on Kobbie Mainoo, Roy Keane said: “He seems to have a lot of maturity, he has got a lot of maturity.
“Obviously, he has got to back up what he did last season when he got into the team. You are playing for Man United in the middle of the park, and it’s a difficult position.
“But he made it look very, very easy. I have been hugely impressed with him, and fingers crossed, he doesn’t relax and lose that hunger, shall we say, and kicks on and continues to be a top player.”
A debut for Mazraoui
Noussair Mazraoui is the only one of the four new signings to be given a starting berth tonight. He’s down as playing at right-back but he could just as easily slot in on the left instead of Diogo Dalot.
Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee are on the bench while Leny Yoro is sidelined.
Jadon Sancho not involved tonight
Jadon Sancho is not involved in tonight’s game as speculation on his future continues.
It does seem strange that Sancho came on off the bench at Wembley last weekend rather than new signing Joshua Zirkzee.
How Fulham line up
Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz.
Emil Smith Rowe is in for his debut.
[Link]United starting XI
Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount; Amad, Rashford, Fernandes (c)
Bayindir, De Ligt, Evans, Collyer, Eriksen, McTominay, Antony, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Good evening!
It’s finally back! The Premier League returns tonight and Manchester United get the show on the road by welcoming Fulham to Old Trafford.
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