Marco Silva certainly can’t be accused of not warning his Fulham players about the threat of Manchester United’s main man.
In the build up to Friday’s Premier League curtain-raiser at Old Trafford, The Cottagers boss made sure to adequately describe the threat posed by a man who – and this is official – created more chances than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
Bruno Fernandes, Silva said, is a ‘top, top player’.
The Manchester United captain a footballer who can score, create and ‘decide a match in any moment of the game’, via Beanyman Sports.
As the new campaign kicked off in the North West, however, Fernandes failed to get his name on the scoresheet or even produce a first assist of the season.
He certainly should have succeeded in the former department. Denied twice by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
But as the visitors pressed high in search of a late, coupon-busting winner, Fulham allowed Fernandes to do what Marco Silva was so wary of.
Bruno Fernandes plays key role in Manchester United winner
After spinning Tom Cairney out of the game, the Red Devils skipper was given the space and time to pick a pass that would lay the foundations for Joshua Zirkzee’s 87th minute winner.
“We know that Manchester United are very strong (when the game gets stretched),” Silva tells DAZN Portugal. “(They can) break the game with the players who have Bruno’s ability to also serve the front players.”
Fernandes’ intelligent pass into the centre of the pitch found Joshua Zirkzee.
And with Fulham’s midfield caught in transition, Zirkzee rolled the ball out wide, drifted into the box, stuck out a leg and converted a driven cross from fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho.
In addition to Fernandes, Silva also highlights the strength in depth at Erik ten Hag’s disposal as Man United avoided a repeat of those opening day, Old Trafford defeats against Swansea City, Crystal Palace and Brighton.
“(United) managed to bring on fresh players who made an impact in the game,” Silva says, Fernandes freed up to pull the strings by Zirkzee’s introduction.
“And after that, Bruno can serve the way he knows how.”
Ten Hag, meanwhile, was delighted to see fellow Dutchman Zirkzee mark his first appearance in that iconic home shirt with a very well-taken goal.
In the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, the pressure is on Zirkzee to hit the ground running. And the £35 million former Bologna talisman has certainly done that.
One game, one goal for Joshua Zirkzee
“It is very good for a striker to come into Manchester United and to score the winning goal in his first game,” Ten Hag tells the club’s official website, Zirkzee avoiding the same misfortune that befell Hojlund against Brighton back in 2023.
“Remember last season when Rasmus Hojlund, in his first Old Trafford Premier League game, scored a goal and we’re all waiting on the halfway line with VAR. After two minutes they came to the conclusion the ball was over the line (for a goal kick). It took too long and we were so frustrated.
“We are very happy (for Zirkzee). It is very pleasing and we are very happy with him. It is also encouraging and it will give him courage and belief – and for the fans. It is a very good start.”
Ten Hag has been vocal in his belief that Zirkzee – labelled ‘the best in the world‘ when it comes to linking the play – can bring something different to United’s frontline.
“He has some attributes we didn’t have. Straight away he showed that,” Ten Hag adds. “He is very good in his linking up and combinations and we have some good ball-playing offensive players. They can take benefit from this.
“But he has to arrive in the box. He has to arrive in the box and score goals. He did, and the winner is very pleasing for everyone.”
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