Make no mistake, not even a single Manchester United supporter is threatening to get carried away after just one game.
But compared to this time last year – when Erik ten Hag’s side were ripped to shreds by Wolves and could really have been two or three goals down before Raphael Varane’s late winner – another dramatic strike in the dying moments against Fulham 12 months on feels very different.
And not just because, unlike against Wolves, Manchester United actually won the ‘XG’ battle this time around.
There was a debut goal for Joshua Zirkzee, off the bench to convert Alejandro Garnacho’s cross and send Old Trafford into raptures.
Noussair Mazraoui shone, Matthijs de Ligt appeared, Andre Onana was solid between the sticks, while the veteran duo of Harry Maguire and Casemiro proved that they can still be relied upon with a pair of brick-wall performances.
Joshua Zirkzee fires Manchester United past Fulham
For Steve Bruce, the legendary former Manchester United captain, Zirkzee’s second-half cameo was the stand-out in a night of positives at the Theatre of Dreams.
The £35 million summer signing only played half an hour off the bench.
But, in addition to his decisive flicked finish which kicked off the Premier League campaign with three early points, the ‘elegance’ and intelligence with which Zirkzee plays the game also did not go unnoticed.
“I would give it to the goalscorer. Why not?” Bruce told talkSPORT when asked to name his Man of the Match. “I mean, he was on for only half an hour, and I believed Man United were better when he came on.”
It is no coincidence that skipper Bruno Fernandes appeared that little bit more influential when Zirkzee arrived.
Freed up from his line-leading responsibilities, the Portugal playmaker dropped deeper and played a crucial role in the winning goal with a clever turn on the left-hand side and a nice pass into Zirkzee’s feet.
“He gave them a focal point,” three-time Premier League winner Bruce adds. “It allowed Fernandes to play where he would likes to play and certainly gave Manchester United a little bit of something going forward.
“So I will go for the debutant (as my Man of the Match) even though he played for only half an hour. You can see the elegance he’s got. He looks as if he’s got great awareness.
“He couldn’t have wished for a better start. That will give him a decent boost going into his new career.”
A dream start at Old Trafford
Zirkzee was bought not solely for his goalscoring potential – he found the net only 12 times last term at Bologna after all – but also for his ability to provide a link between midfield and attack.
Belgian reporter Filip Joos feels that Zirkzee would not look out of play in a Pep Guardiola team, such is the extent of his technical ability.
“He is just insanely good,” Joos tells Play Sports on YouTube, claiming that Zirkzee is ‘the best in the world’ at doing what he does.
“I don’t understand why Guardiola doesn’t get Zirkzee. I really don’t get it. Then, (Erling) Haaland would have a problem. Not necessarily (with regards) goals, because Haaland scores 40.
“But put Zirkzee in that team, and (Phil) Foden scores one and a half times as many as now.”
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