Erik ten Hag saved by his subs as Joshua Zirkzee enjoys dream Man Utd debut
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He pledged to make an immediate impact. He said he would take his game to another level. Joshua Zirkzee was as good as his word as he scored his first goal for Manchester United, the first of this Premier League season, and did so on his debut.
Not only that, he scored in the 87th minute, in front of the Stretford End. And at 6ft 4in he looks the part. The 23-year-old wears the No 11 but this was the contribution of a pure No 9 and it was enough to beat Fulham.
It was also enough to stave off the pressure that might already have started to build on Erik ten Hag. So much has been made of the Dutchification of United, but if this is what the likes of Zirkzee – pronounced “Zirks” – will bring, then there will be no concerns over the Reds taking such an Oranje hue.
It is not rocket science, of course. There was puzzlement that Ten Hag did not start with a centre-forward. Yes, Rasmus Hojlund was injured, and he argued that Zirkzee was not yet up to speed, although it did not look like that when he came on after an hour, but until a striker arrived United failed to take their chances.
Two fell to Bruno Fernandes, playing in a “false nine” role that could prove effective in big matches, but he fluffed them both. Another fell to Mason Mount, who was also superbly denied by Bernd Leno. But the Fulham goalkeeper could do nothing about Zirkzee’s finish.
Signed from Bologna for £36.5 million and a bit-part player for the Netherlands at the Euros, on this evidence he deserved to start for his country ahead of two former United strikers, Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst.
No centre-forward had more touches than him in Serie A last season. Fittingly, Zirkzee was involved in the build-up to his goal, as he collected a pass from Fernandes and quickly switched the play to the right. With a striker’s instinct he then sprinted towards goal before checking his run to meet Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross and deftly guide the ball into the net with a stabbed shot.
Old Trafford erupted. It is too easy to get carried away and hype up such moments. After all, Antony scored a sumptuous goal on his debut in a win over Arsenal, becoming the first United player to do so since another former Ajax recruit, Donny van de Beek.
Predatory ‘impact’ that United have lacked
Zirkzee will not want those two examples to be omens. But it is also true that United have lacked that commanding centre-forward for some time and, despite Hojlund’s undoubted promise, he is not yet that player. Can Zirkzee provide the focus that has, maybe, been lacking since Zlatan Ibrahimovic left? (Not that he is an Ibrahimovic.) Cristiano Ronaldo was a different kind of player.
“Ladies and gentlemen: Joshua Zirkzee,” United posted on social media with a picture of him celebrating his goal below the single word “impact”. He lived up to his promise. Whatever the debate and whatever the future holds, it was certainly the kind of predatory goal that Ruud van Nistelrooy was famous for.
In the dugout, United’s new attack coach will have been delighted, and relieved, given how blunt United had been until the arrival of Zirkzee and Garnacho. Maybe the Argentine also lacked fitness, but when he came on Ten Hag changed his formation and United were far more coherent.
Fernandes dropped back into midfield and suddenly instead of himself and Mount trying to break forward there was a fully functioning attack already in place. Indeed, there should have been a second goal in injury time as Marcus Rashford broke free.
The season before last he would have gone on and found the net but, unfortunately, this was the Rashford of the last campaign, the Rashford who is lacking in confidence, and he picked out Garnacho instead, who somehow sent the ball wide.
By then Lee Carsley, England’s interim manager, had left, but he will have much to think about. As good as Kobbie Mainoo was and as battling as Harry Maguire was, it was disappointing once more from Rashford and Mount. Neither will receive an international return later this month if they play like this.
For Ten Hag there was relief after a summer in which he had to wait to find out if he still had a job, and then was allowed to be involved in a number of new signings.
There were debuts for Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, both signed from Bayern Munich but also former Ten Hag players with Ajax, and the manager will now feel he has a squad with far more strength. They won it from the bench.
Fulham head coach Marco Silva will be left to rue the missed chances. As well as his team played, it was a disappointing first appearance for his big-money signing from Arsenal, Emile Smith Rowe. But then the 24-year-old has played so little competitive football in the last couple of seasons.
Admirably Fulham went for it and United’s desperation to win left them so open at the back. Ten Hag gambled. Even this early in the campaign he knew he and United needed to win. Zirkzee cashed in.
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United edge past Fulham to raise curtain on new Premier League season – As it happened:
10:25 PM BST
Marco Silva speaking to the BBC
“Frustration with the result for us. Big frustration for our players and fans, for sure. Overall it was a good game with both teams trying to win the game.
“We started well and had good counter-attacks to score. We adjusted things at half-time and second half was much better. We had good moments, a two against one, we should have done better.
“The main thing for us was to keep the emotional control. When the game becomes open we should have kept the balance and kept compact. But in those moments we lost emotional control and that allowed them to score.
“The game was open and broken, we tried to rush our decisions. Many times we started to lose the ball too quickly. We let the game go too emotional and we didn’t want that. We lost four starters [in the transfer window]. We are probably the only team in the Premier League that lost four starters. We have to rebuild again. There is a lot of work for us to do other the next two weeks to rebuild. But we are very pleased with how the players have worked. We are working hard to get what we need.”
10:22 PM BST
Three points for Manchester United
Job done ➕3️⃣#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/TZNKYKZNnj
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
10:19 PM BST
Gary Neville on Sky
“It was steady and unspectacular from Manchester United. Tonight, they had to win and it didn’t look like they were going to for large parts of that game.
“It was critical that they won and the clean sheet was important. Defensively they will be better than they were last season and bringing on defenders, the squad looks bigger and thicker. It wasn’t spectacular football but given the way they set up tonight, I didn’t expect it to be.
“It’s generally positive. For Zirkzee to come on and score the winner, to have that sort of presence to replace Rasmus Hojlund when he’s not fit was important. United have struggled in that position for a couple of years.”
10:16 PM BST
Your reactions
Remember you can have your say on the match in our comments section.
10:10 PM BST
Erik ten Hag talking to Sky
“It showed that subs are very important. It’s great in the first game to bring on a sub and he ends up winning us the game. It’s good for the team process and the spirit of the group. It shows how important subs are and that they need to be ready.
“Against Fulham, it’s always a difficult game but we pressed very well and we kept them under pressure. We created a lot of chances and should have scored earlier. That’s my only criticism of the team that we needed to kill.”
“We know how important it is to keep clean sheets. Two seasons ago we kept the most number of clean sheets in the Premier League. When we have our consistent back four, we will defend properly with a high line and the midfield and wingers can get forward. Without a consistent back four, there is no pattern and routines and that’s when gaps appear.”
10:07 PM BST
Man of the match Joshua Zirkzee speaking to Sky
“To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better. I’ve been told [scoring at the Stretford End] is one of the best feelings at Man Utd. I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.
“At the end of the day we got the win, that’s all we wanted. I can’t really explain the feeling, it’s just very nice. I feel very warm here. It’s a great team. We want to achieve something great. It’s been amazing, it’s been a dream actually.
“The manager told me to bring an energy and help the team as much as possible, just that. Manchester United is a huge club. You should always strive for the best. That includes day by day giving 100%, that’s the plan. It’s all good vibes.”
10:05 PM BST
Dutch impact
15 - Joshua Zirkzee is the 15th Dutch player to score on his Premier League debut, and the fourth to do so while at @ManUtd after Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alexander Büttner and Donny van de Beek. Oranje. #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/JDDZPenL6d
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 16, 2024
10:04 PM BST
Relief for ten Hag
10:03 PM BST
Fulham frustration
That game was there for the taking with 10 minutes remaining and Fulham may feel they have let at least one point get away from them.
10:00 PM BST
Gary Neville on Sky
“A win is a win. This is a game last season they lost, so it is a big moment for Man Utd. Fulham had some moments on the counter-attack but Erik ten Hag will be a relieved man - three points here tonight means everything.”
09:59 PM BST
Debut delight for Zirkzee
09:52 PM BST
FT
Manchester United should be 2-0 up. Bassey completely misses the ball, which sets up a two-on-one for Rashford and Garnacho. The former lays it across for the latter, who makes an absolute mess of it and misses.
There is the final whistle though and Manchester United take the three points thanks to Zirkzee’s debut goal.
Friday night delight! ❤️🔥🙌#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/EXBEXGjMJA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
09:50 PM BST
90+2 mins: Manchester United 1 Fulham 0
Fernandes sends in a dangerous ball from the left towards Garnacho but Fulham do well to clear their lines.
Fulham then go down the other end and waste a good chance with plenty of numbers up the field.
09:48 PM BST
90+1 mins: Manchester United 1 Fulham 0
Pereira sends it in towards Bassey, but he cannot guide his header towards the Manchester United goal.
Double Fulham change:
OFF Lukic, Pereira
ON Reed, Stansfield
09:47 PM BST
90 mins: Manchester United 1 Fulham 0
Martinez runs into the back of Tete and Fulham will have a late free-kick in a dangerous area on the right.
There four are added minutes.
09:45 PM BST
GOAL! Manchester United 1 Fulham 0
Zirkzee (87’)
The home side take the lead with just three minutes of normal time remaining. The cross is sent in from the right by Garnacho and the debutant Zirkzee sticks his foot out to guide it into the far corner.
“Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial.....Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman joins the list of Manchester United forwards who have made stunning debuts. Wazza scored a hat-trick against Fenerbahce, Rashford announced himself against Midtjylland while Martial scored against bitter rivals Liverpool. Zirkzee was meant to take time to settle into the Premier League but his goal may speed things up.”
09:44 PM BST
86 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Garnacho goes down just outside the Fulham box, waving his arms around wanting a free-kick but referee Robert Jones is having none of it. Surely that is either a yellow card for a dive or a free-kick to Manchester United? It looked like a dive and that is the second time he has done that.
09:41 PM BST
84 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Manchester United change:
OFF Mainoo
ON McTominay
“Big ovation for Harry Maguire when he was subbed for the last 10 minutes. He was one of United’s best performers while on the pitch and surely is a straightforward selection for Lee Carsley when he selects his England squad for Republic of Ireland and Finland next month. Maguire walks around the perimeter of the pitch when taken off and gets applauded back to the bench.
“United make another sub and bring on Scott McTominay, with the Fulham fans singing: “He wants to play for Fulham”. They had a bid rejected earlier in the window. “Scott McTominay, he’s one of our own” was the other chant from the away end.”
09:40 PM BST
82 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Close for the hosts. Garnacho sends a ball across from the right, trying to find Rashford, but Tete does just enough to make the interception and Leno can gather.
09:39 PM BST
81 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Manchester United are making a double change at centre-back. Maguire is limping off as de Ligt comes on for his Manchester United debut.
OFF Mazrouai, Maguire
ON de Ligt, Evans
09:37 PM BST
80 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fernandes has a good opportunity for the hosts from the edge of the box but it results in a fairly easy save for Leno.
09:36 PM BST
78 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Iwobi finds Muniz in the centre of the box and he tries to turn but Manchester United gather the ball through Onana. Double Fulham change:
OFF Adama, Muniz
ON Wilson, Jimenez
09:34 PM BST
76 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
The delivery is not the best from Pereira and Manchester United just about clear their lines. Fulham can sense this game is for the taking and are growing in confidence.
09:32 PM BST
74 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fulham should take the lead. They counter and have numbers on Manchester United. Adama’s pass to Cairney is not the best but he then finds Pereira on the left-hand side of the box. He feeds it across the box and it comes off Martinez for a corner.
Two more corners follow for Fulham and this next one will come in front of the Fulham fans...
09:31 PM BST
72 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Cairney has not long been on the field but has already found himself into the book for a foul on Garnacho.
09:28 PM BST
70 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Pereira is fouled down the right and Fulham have a free-kick. It looks Martinez is going to be booked for blocking the quick free-kick but it is Pereira instead who is booked for a card gesture towards the referee, calling for Martinez to be booked. Pereira then wastes the opportunity with a poor delivery.
09:26 PM BST
68 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Dalot sends in a delightful ball to the back post, looking for Garnacho but Robinson wins a crucial header to deny him.
09:24 PM BST
66 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Pereira has messed that up for the visitors. Fulham have a two-on-one inside the Manchester United half and all Pereira needs to do is find Iwobi to his left for a one-on-one with Onana, but his pass is terrible and is intercepted by Maguire.
09:22 PM BST
64 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Rashford sends an inviting cross across the box but none of his teammates are on hand to take advantage.
09:20 PM BST
63 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fulham change:
OFF Smith-Rowe
ON Cairney
09:20 PM BST
62 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Close for the visitors. Muniz attempts an acrobatic effort from near the edge of the box, which takes a deflection off Mainoo’s shoulder and loops into the air. Onana has to tip it over the bar for a corner, which Pereira sends in towards the near post, and it goes behind for another corner, which Manchester United deal with.
09:18 PM BST
60 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Double change for Manchester United, including a debut for Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee who has signed from Bologna over the summer.
OFF Mount, Amad
ON Zirkzee, Garnacho
“Joshua Zirkzee introduced to the action and the public announcer uses the correct pronunciation - “Zirks” is how the Dutchman says his name. Should be easy enough for supporters to pick up, as it sounds like his nickname anyway. He and Alejandro Garnacho are on.”
09:13 PM BST
56 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Another Manchester United corner, this time from the right after Amad’s cross is deflected behind. It is sent in but Iwobi comfortably wins the header at the front post.
Moments later Mainoo takes on a first-time effort from outside the box but he drags his effort wide.
09:11 PM BST
54 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Chance for the hosts. Rashford drives into the box on the left and the ball comes through to Mount, whose shot is saved by Leno and goes behind for a corner.
The home side then win another corner, which Fulham are able to deal with.
09:10 PM BST
52 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Adama is running down the right and comes in-field, only to be tugged back by Rashford. Fulham are awarded a free-kick and Rashford is perhaps fortunate not to be booked for that foul.
Pereira sends it towards the back post but Onana is quick off his line to catch it.
“This feels like quite a big second half to set the tone for United’s start to the season. The crowd have been with them all evening, although Fulham’s corner is getting louder. As Ten Hag pointed out in his programme notes, this fixture has recently been decided with late goals.”
09:07 PM BST
49 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Smith-Rowe’s cross from the left is blocked and rolls behind for a corner. Fulham on the front foot at the start of this second half, having been under the cosh at the end of the first. It is sent in and flicked on by Tete but Manchester United just about clear their lines through Dalot.
09:05 PM BST
47 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fulham are gifted a corner as Martinez has a brainless moment, giving the ball away deep in his own half which leads to this corner. Pereira swings it in and Iwobi meets it at the near post, but he cannot keep his header down and it does not trouble Onana’s goal.
09:02 PM BST
Second half
We are back under way at Old Trafford. Will we see any goals in this second half? All to play for over the next 45 minutes.
08:59 PM BST
Roy Keane on Sky
“The first 20 minutes weren’t great, but Man United found their feet and had the two best chances. With the quality of Bruno [Fernandes], you’d have expected him to have taken one of them.
“For the first chance, it was crazy from Fulham. He goes with it with the outside of his foot but the goalkeeper recovered well.
“For the second chance, the timing of his run and the pass from Casemiro was brilliant. They looked dangerous towards the end of the half. If Bruno had finished that, it would’ve been a great goal. It was a lovely move.”
08:52 PM BST
Your reactions
Remember you can have your say on that first half in the comments section.
08:46 PM BST
HT
There is the whistle and it is goalless at the break at Old Trafford.
08:45 PM BST
45 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
One added minute at the end of this first half.
08:42 PM BST
42 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Another chance in this first half for Casemiro. He takes on a first-time volleyed effort from the edge of the box but, you guessed it, blazed it over the bar.
08:41 PM BST
41 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fulham were the better side in the early stages of this first half but they are under pressure at the moment.
Maguire goes down inside the box and Manchester United want a penalty. Robert Jones blows his whistle and gives a free-kick against Maguire. The replays show that it was a blatant dive and that was a terrific decision from the referee.
#MUNFUL – 40'
The referee issued a yellow card to Maguire for simulation. The VAR checked for a potential penalty and confirmed the referee's call of a free-kick to Fulham.— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 16, 2024
08:37 PM BST
37 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Manchester United have a corner on the right after it comes off Robinson last. It is sent by Amad to the far post, where it finds Casemiro, who heads it straight into the ground and behind for a goal-kick. Another chance in this first half for Casemiro.
08:35 PM BST
35 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Big chance for Manchester United. Fernandes is through on goal after a pin-point pass from Casemiro into the box. He takes it first-time but hits it straight at Leno. He should have buried that.
08:34 PM BST
34 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fernandes dithers on the ball just outside the box when he had the chance to shoot but the chance goes begging.
08:32 PM BST
32 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Dalot sends in an inviting cross from the left towards the far post. Fernandes cannot quite get his head on the end of it and it goes behind for a goal-kick.
08:29 PM BST
29 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fulham are lucky there. Leno gives the ball away so poorly deep in his own half but he makes up for his mistake by making a good save to deny Fernandes from inside the box. There will have been plenty of Fulham fans with their hearts in their mouths there.
08:27 PM BST
27 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Casemiro has already had a number of attempts on goal and none of them have been on target, and you can add this one to it. Mount lays it off to him centrally, outside the box. Casemiro is urged to shoot by the home crowd and he obliges, but he blazes his effort over the bar.
“Contrasting managerial fashion style in the technical area tonight. Marco Silva is wearing a sweatshirt, slacks and white trainers, like he has just come back from an afternoon pint at Salford Quays. Erik ten Hag is much smarter in a dark suit but the jury is still out on wearing no socks.”
08:26 PM BST
26 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Bassey joins Mount in the book for a foul on the Manchester United man. That seemed a touch harsh but referee Robert Jones clearly felt there was excessive force on that sliding challenge.
08:25 PM BST
24 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fernandes sends in a free-kick from quite a way out, which finds Casemiro but once again he cannot keep his header down and on target. The offside flag went up anyway against Casemiro so even if he had found the net it would not have counted.
08:19 PM BST
18 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Mount is the first player booked in the 2024-25 Premier League season after cynically hauling down Smith-Rowe. Like last season the Manchester United midfield was non-existent and just wide open for Smith-Rowe to exploit.
08:16 PM BST
15 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Manchester United have a free-kick on the right after Rashford is fouled. Amad sends it into a good area in the centre of the box, but Casemiro cannot keep his header down and it goes over. He should be hitting the target.
08:14 PM BST
13 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Amad goes down inside the Fulham box but referee Robert Jones is having none of it. He is never going to get that.
Fulham go down the other end and Tete, on his 100th Fulham appearance, comes so close to scoring an absolute blinder. He nearly finds the top corner with a curling effort from 25 yards out, which forces Onana into a great diving save.
This season there will be near-live explanations on X on VAR decisions and here is the first one of the new season:
#MUNFUL – 13'
VAR checked a potential penalty for a challenge by Iwobi and Robinson on Diallo. He confirmed the referee's call of no penalty, deeming there was no impactful contact.— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 16, 2024
08:09 PM BST
9 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
“It is indeed Bruno playing as a false nine, although Mason Mount is advanced and often as high up the pitch as his captain. Mazraoui is playing at right-back, so it will be Diogo Dalot marking the pacy Adama Traore - he has had a run at the United defence already.”
08:08 PM BST
8 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Chance for Fulham. Adama races down the right, destroying both Casemiro and Martinez. He drives into the Manchester United box and cuts it back to Iwobi, who leaves it for a teammate behind but Manchester United manage to intercept and clear. That was a chance for the visitors.
Not long after Adama has a chance of his own but he fires his shot over.
08:06 PM BST
6 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Fulham have a free-kick in a good position on the right, around 10 yards outside the Manchester United penalty area. Former Manchester United man Pereira to take. He sends it in but it is an easy catch for Onana.
08:05 PM BST
4 mins: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Manchester United are operating without a recognised number nine tonight. Fernandes and Mount are playing through the middle as false nines, with Amad and Rashford out wide. Dalot has also begun at left-back, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia out injured.
08:01 PM BST
1 min: Manchester United 0 Fulham 0
Rashford thinks he is in behind after just 20 seconds but the offside flag goes up pretty quickly and the replays show he was comfortably offside.
08:00 PM BST
Kick-off
We are under way at Old Trafford. The 2024-25 Premier League season has begun!
07:56 PM BST
Kick-off fast approaching
Both sides emerge from the tunnel at Old Trafford and the new Premier League season is just moments away.
07:53 PM BST
Reminder of the team news
Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mount, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford.
Substitutes: Bayindir, De Ligt, Evans, Collyer, Eriksen, McTominay, Antony, Garnacho, Zirkzee
Fulham: Leno, Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Pereira, Smith Rowe, Traore, Iwobi, Muniz.
Substitutes: Benda, Castagne, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney, King, Wilson, Jimenez, Stansfield.
07:50 PM BST
Milestone for Tete
Hitting a century. 💯
Kenny Tete will make his 100th Fulham appearance this evening. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/LXd0mX5sin— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 16, 2024
07:49 PM BST
First game for Fulham for Smith-Rowe
Set to make his debut. 🙌
Welcome, Emile. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/c9N3xHCZic— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 16, 2024
07:48 PM BST
New Manchester United signings
07:46 PM BST
Interim England manager in attendance
“Lee Carsley is in the directors’ box here at Old Trafford. Sitting next to John McDermott, the FA technical director who will decide on the next England manager. He could be watching Marcus Rashford among others tonight.”
07:43 PM BST
Marco Silva speaking to Sky
“It’s always possible to improve. We have to be realistic, ambition is not something we’re going to take away from ourselves.
“We have lost four of five key players in the last three seasons, we made three signings. But I have to say the pre-season has been very good. We have a base here, we need new signings to have an impact as well.
“We are going to sign more players for central defender and midfielder, one more for the attacking line has to come always. We have broken the record for selling players in the last two years, Mitrovic and Palhinha.
“Emile [Smith Rowe] will need time to play at his best level. Two good performances and two good goals in pre-season. He will give something different between the midfield and attack line. He arrives in the box, which is what we’re looking for in that position.”
07:39 PM BST
Welcome to the Premier League season that will be decided in the courts
“The sky-blue elephant loomed large in the room as the new Premier League campaign launched with a headline of “the most exciting season ever”. “A golden age,” its official website added, with no mention of potentially darker times ahead.
“Between the opening fixture dates, September 16 will be circled in red pen by lawyers at the league’s Paddington HQ. That day is the earliest the long-awaited independent hearing into Manchester City’s 115 charges can begin. The process, as both City and the league point out, is confidential. Naturally, the upbeat hyperbole in a season launch article on the league’s website this week does not reflect the mood behind the scenes.”
Tom Morgan has the full story.
07:35 PM BST
van Nistelrooy back at Old Trafford
07:32 PM BST
New contract for Fernandes
Manchester United announced earlier this week that their captain Bruno Fernandes has signed a new contract worth more than £300,000-per-week. Mike McGrath has the full story on Fernandes’ new contract, which runs until 2027.
07:25 PM BST
Gary Neville on Sky
“There are three reasons for Man United fans to be optimistic, and it’s concerning things I’ve winged about for many years. The training ground being under par - they are now spending £50m on it.
“The stadium project - I know how special that could be in the next five to 10 years with investment. And also the club’s hierarchy are now football people, who I think will make better decisions.
“They have made some big changes, and we’ll only see if that pays off in two to four years, but at least there are changes being made.”
07:21 PM BST
Premier League predictions
Who will win the title? Which teams will finish in the top four? Who needs to be worried about relegation? Our experts have been giving their views on how they think this season will pan out.
07:14 PM BST
Erik ten Hag speaking to Sky
“Of course we are ready. We are very excited. We want to go forward and we have a strong belief we can. In the previous years, it’s been my squad, that doesn’t change. But I think we’ve developed young players, they are more mature.
“They really contribute, so we’re really happy. It fits the DNA of Manchester United. The players we’ve brought in fit our style: proactive, dynamic, speed. We have strikers not available, but we’ve worked a lot [on our shape and formation]. It fits very good to us.
“Always you have to do things better. We’ve improved, especially in the last few games. I’m happy in the process we’re now in.
“We can’t stand still. It depends on what happens in the market, but I’m happy with the squad. I’m confident going into the season.”
07:10 PM BST
No Sancho
“Erik ten Hag has made a bold decision in picking Amad Diallo ahead of Alejandro Garnacho, who scored last week at Wembley in the Community Shield. Noussair Mazraoui makes his debut at right-back, while there is no striker so I would expect Bruno Fernandes to play as a false nine. Jadon Sancho is not in the squad, having come off the bench last week. Ten Hag is set to give an update on his situation shortly.”
07:07 PM BST
Will Erik ten Hag’s Dutch makeover backfire?
“When Erik ten Hag was appointed Manchester United manager in April 2022 the club ran an article on their website trumpeting the “four-decade-long Oranje-Red relationship” which went back to Arnold Muhren’s debut for them in the early 1980s.
“Little did we – and probably United – know then just how all-in they would become with the Netherlands. After Ten Hag’s survival in the summer the link has been strengthened remarkably, even though the levers of control had apparently changed.”
To read more from our chief football correspondent Jason Burt, click here.
07:02 PM BST
Full team news
Erik ten Hag hands new signing Noussair Mazraoui a start having signed just this week from Bayern Munich. Mathijs de Ligt also arrived from Bayern Munich this week but he has to settle for the bench alongside fellow new signing Joshua Zirkzee. There is no Jadon Sancho in the squad.
Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mount, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Rashford
Substitutes: Bayindir, De Ligt, Evans, Collyer, Eriksen, McTominay, Antony, Garnacho, Zirkzee
Marco Silva gives a full debut to Emile Smith-Rowe, who signed from Arsenal this summer. Fellow new signing Jorge Cuenca is on the bench.
Fulham: Leno, Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Pereira, Smith Rowe, Traore, Iwobi, Muniz.
Substitutes: Benda, Castagne, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney, King, Wilson, Jimenez, Stansfield.
06:56 PM BST
Pick your team
06:51 PM BST
Fancy a flutter?
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06:45 PM BST
Fulham team news
The Fulham™️.#MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/x14QdVblTc
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 16, 2024
06:45 PM BST
Manchester United team news
Your United XI on opening day! 🔴📋#MUFC || #MUNFUL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
06:37 PM BST
Berrada at the game
“Omar Berrada was in the Old Trafford press room before the match. It is a big day for Manchester United’s new hierarchy, with Berrada CEO and Dan Ashworth now in place as sporting director. “We are looking to build a world-leading non-football leadership team which I know will help us to thrive,” wrote Berrada in his matchday programme notes. “This is an eventful time for the club. Everything we do has to help us to perform on the pitch and that is our number one priority.”
06:32 PM BST
Premier League 2024/25 begins
By Jessica Hopkins
Manchester United return to the Theatre of Dreams tonight as they host Fulham in the Premier League’s season opener. The home team will be looking to bounce back from their Community Shield loss against the former league champions and build on what was a promising second half despite the defeat on penalties.
Ten Hag’s men will look to improve on last season’s slow start, in which they only mustered 6 points in their first 5 league games, a task made harder now without Luke Shaw and new signing Leny Yoro - both currently injured.
Having only very recently signed, fans will be looking to see if Ten Hag gives debuts to de Ligt and Mazraoui to strengthen his back line.
If Fulham are to aim for a third ever Premier League win at Old Trafford they will be hoping that tonight doesn’t see a return to form from Rashford. After having a disappointing last season and missing out on the Euros, the firepower of this United side could hinge on whether he is able to tap into his 30-goal-a-season potential.
Sharing the responsibility, while Hojlund is out, is Zirkzee who was an unused sub in the recent Community Shield game but amassed 11 goals and 6 assists for Bologna in last season’s Serie A.
Fulham might yet fancy their chances to inflict some damage, having beaten United 2-1 in the clubs’ most recent league meeting and recently strengthened by the addition of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal - tipped to be one of the signings of the summer - and the resigning of Ryan Sessegnon. In contrast to United, Fulham currently have a clean bill of health.
Despite their loss of star man Palhinha to Bayern Munich, it would be unwise to count out the London side who have held United to only one home win in the past three Old Trafford league meetings.
