Manchester United won the first game of the Premier League season with a narrow victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.
As always, there is a lot to discuss with Manchester United, and the 1-0 win over Fulham gave us plenty of reason to be positive. Here are my quick takeaways from the win…
Three points is all that matters
We came into the night very positive and optimistic United could blow Fulham away with a freescoring win. That was asking for too much. By the end, we were just hoping for a goal from anywhere.
Get the three points, move on, and start racking up the wins. Next weekend away at Brighton will be tricky – but if we can win that, it will become our best start to a season under Erik ten Hag.
Operation ‘Stop the shots’ is working
Last season Manchester United conceded an insane number of shots, and it culminated with the team losing 14 league matches.
One of these was the defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford, when the visitors had 17 shots at goal.
Last night, Fulham only had 10 shots, of which only two were on target. That’s a step in the right direction, with United secure a clean sheet.
Lisandro Martinez: I loved his performance
Last season might have been very different if Lisandro Martinez had been fit all year long. He’s a class act.
Martinez was excellent with the way he outmuscled Adama Traore and shut off the threat from the Fulham winger.
Alejandro Garnacho really wants it
Alejandro Garnacho was Manchester United’s star man in the Community Shield and he is a game changer. He looked desperate to make an impact when he came on against Fulham.
At times he held onto the ball too long, and did not make the right decisions, but he made a huge contribution when it counted – providing the assist for Zirkzee’s winner.
Joshua Zirkzee has done himself the biggest favour
There is nothing worse for a striker than waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a goal. Just ask Rasmus Hojlund.
Joshua Zirkzee is off to the dream start the Dane dreamed of a year ago. The Dutch forward scored on his Manchester United debut and he has taken all the pressure off.
Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro midfield worked
Manchester United’s midfield of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro really worked. The pair worked hard and the Brazilian was much improved.
United can’t depend on the two, we need a top midfielder to join before the transfer deadline, as both will need rest, and could suffer injuries. But looking at the game last night, both players were very good and gave reason to be encouraged.
Noussair Mazraoui looks a bargain already
How much for Noussair Mazraoui? Manchester United paid just £12 million for the Moroccan and he looked like a proper right-back. This fee is going to be one of the best bargains of the season.
Mazraoui looked sharp defensively and added a lot going forward too, and he’s barely got started. This is an exciting move.
We need to be ruthless
Manchester United should not have been waiting until the 87th minute to score a winner, we should have put Fulham out of sight.
Bruno Fernandes was guilty of wasting two clear cut chances in the first half and Manchester United have to start being ruthless.
You can blame a bit of rustiness on those misses, but it would be nice to have some routine, big wins, rather than continually clawing our way through games.
Can’t trust the Sancho claims
Jadon Sancho was a notable absence from the squad. Erik ten Hag blamed Sancho’s absence on an ear infection.
Do you believe that? Does anybody? Nobody knows exactly what is going on with Sancho. He could be in the squad next week, or he could be sold to PSG, or any other buyer. This one will only settle down after the transfer deadline.
Top of the league adds to good vibes
This would have been a long weekend if United had drawn, or lost. The advantage of kicking off the season on a Friday night, and winning, is that the team are briefly top of the Premier League table.
It won’t last, the 1-0 margin is too small, but it feels good, and those positive vibes will transmit to the squad, the players and the staff.
After winning the FA Cup final last season, United enter this campaign on a high. Its’ important to keep winning, and keep the feelgood factor as long as we can.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
