Manchester United kicked off the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Fulham on Friday night.
After Leicester City and Tottenham battled to a 1-1 draw on Monday Night Football, the Premier League’s opening weekend is now complete, with all 20 teams in action.
United were by far and away the better team against Fulham but took until the 87th minute to score the winner, through substitute Joshua Zirkzee.
The first ‘Team of the Week of 2024/25 has now been selected, with one Manchester United star selected, after a powerful display.
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Harry Maguire praised
Naturally it was new signings Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee who stole the spotlight in Manchester United’s victory, and deservedly so.
We said after the game that Harry Maguire would not get the credit he deserved for his titanic performance in defence – and it’s taken until now.
Harry Maguire was the only Manchester United player named in the BBC Team of the Week.
Troy Deeney, who has taken over from Garth Crooks, selected Maguire in his chosen XI.
He explained: “He was a beast for Manchester United against Fulham.
“Just doing what he does, nothing weird and wonderful, but he looked like a big solid centre-half – which is what he is.”
Maguire targeting improvement
Maguire will have a big part to play for United this season amid rotation at centre-back in various competitions, and with Leny Yoro missing the first three months of the season.
He is off to a great start and wants United to kick on this season after a challenging 2023/24.
Maguire told United club media: “I think we don’t really want to set any targets [but] I think this club demands trophies.
“So we want to win another trophy, of course, and in the Premier League we know there’s large improvements that we need to do and make from what we did last season.
“For sure, we’ve got to improve on last season and let’s see where it goes and takes us.”
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