Joshua Zirkzee has become the latest Manchester United player to score on his debut after a fantastic winner against Fulham.
Manchester United got the 2024-25 season off to a positive start by managing to secure a 1-0 win over Fulham on Friday night.
It was often difficult and far from pretty, with both sides having plenty of chances to win and the Cottagers proving a troublesome threat to a new-look United defence.
There were some positive moments of interplay from Erik ten Hag’s side, especially between Mason Mount and Casemiro, as Noussiar Mazraoui impressed on his debut and Bruno Fernandes missed two great chances in the first half.
Harry Maguire, who earned a match rating of 8, had to be alert in the second 45 to prevent a dangerous counter-attack and just when the game looked to be getting away, United found a winner through Joshua Zirkzee.
It was a debut goal for the Dutchman and here are the last 12 players to score on their first United appearance.
Joshua Zirkzee: 1-0 win v Fulham, 2024
After not coming on in the Community Shield and being named on the bench again, you’d be forgiven for thinking Zirkzee wasn’t ready to make his debut. But he proved everyone wrong.
United spent £36m to sign Zirkzee from Bologna and he came on for his debut at the hour mark against Fulham with the game deadlocked.
With three minutes remaining, he directed Alejandro Garnacho’s cross into the bottom corner with a deft touch to win the match.
Funnily enough, Zirkzee has followed in the footsteps of Robin van Persie and his new coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in scoring against Fulham in his first match at Old Trafford as well.
Antony: 3-1 win v Arsenal, 2022
Manchester United spent more than £80 million to sign Antony in 2022 after a long transfer saga, and he began repaying his fee immediately with an opening goal in a 3-1 win over Arsenal.
Antony cut inside on his left foot to score, with what is fast-becoming his trademark finish. Defenders know it is coming, they just can’t stop it.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 4-0 win v Newcastle, 2021
We are counting this one. Cristiano Ronaldo’s second debut for Manchester United following his stunning return to the club in 2021.
Ronaldo scored twice, once in each half, to cap a euphoric day at Old Trafford where it seemed like anything might be possible.
A difficult season later followed, but Ronaldo’s individual brilliance still shone through, scoring 24 goals in total. His first debut way back in 2003 was not bad either, a stunning cameo from the bench against Bolton.
Donny van de Beek: 1-3 defeat v Crystal Palace, 2020
A terrible opening game of the season for Manchester United in 2020 saw Donny van de Beek come off the bench to score a consolation goal.
This moment suggested Van de Beek could go onto have a successful career at the club. Instead, he struggled, and only scored one competitive goal since.
Dan James: 4-0 win v Chelsea, 2019
Dan James capped an electric performance for Manchester United against Chelsea on the opening day of the 2019/20 season. His pace and instinctive finish offered a glimpse of what he was capable of.
James went on to score in his next two games for United, against Southampton and Crystal Palace, before fading. He was sold in 2021, and is currently playing for Leeds in the Championship.
Romelu Lukaku: 1-2 defeat v Real Madrid, 2017
Romelu Lukaku scored Manchester United’s goal against Real Madrid in 2017, with Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils slipping to a 2-1 defeat.
Lukaku looked like an excellent signing back then. It didn’t work out, however, with the Belgian sold in 2019 to Inter Milan. He is currently a spare part at Chelsea.
Josh Harrop: 2-0 win v Crystal Palace, 2017
Jose Mourinho’s experimental XI at the end of the 2016/17 season saw Josh Harrop score an impressive goal to announce himself at Old Trafford.
Harrop then decided to quit United as a free agent the same summer, and his career has failed to ignite. Now 28, having battled injury, the midfielder plays for Cheltenham Town.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 2-1 win v Leicester City, 2016
A late goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Manchester United victory in the Community Shield. It was one of three trophies he won that season, with the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
An ACL injury ultimately led to Zlatan leaving United in early 2018. He prolonged his career at LA Galaxy and AC Milan, before retiring.
Marcus Rashford: 5-1 win v Midtjylland, 2016
Marcus Rashford was a relative unknown when he was called up to start a Europa League tie for Manchester United in 2016. By the end of the match, everybody knew his name.
Rashford scored two against Midtylland before scoring another double against Arsenal in the Premier League days later. He is United’s current highest active scorer.
Anthony Martial: 3-1 win v Liverpool, 2015
Who can forget Anthony Martial‘s stunning goal against rivals Liverpool in 2015? Days after his big move from Monaco, he raised the roof at Old Trafford with a strike to seal victory against our bitter rivals.
Martial is still at United, just about. He has struggled badly with injuries, and is now a free agent after finally being released by the club.
James Wilson: 3-1 win v Hull, 2014
James Wilson seized his chance under caretaker manager Ryan Giggs, following David Moyes’ sacking. He scored a brace, and looked set to make it big at United.
It didn’t quite happen for Wilson, with disappointing loans and injury seeing him fade from view before eventually being released. He is currently playing for Northampton Town.
Alexander Buttner and Nick Powell: 4-0 win v Wigan, 2012
The last two players to score on their debuts under Sir Alex Ferguson managed it in the same game.
Alexander Buttner is now 35, playing in the Netherlands for Vitesse, while Nick Powell, 30, is now at Stockport County.
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