- Man Utd started their Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Fulham
- Substitute Joshua Zirkzee netted winner three minutes from time
- Jadon Sancho left out of matchday squad after suffering ear infection
Manchester United opened up their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Fulham, but they were forced to work hard for all three points.
The Red Devils toiled against a typically well-drilled Cottagers outfit that failed to make the most of the moments they had on the counter-attack. United, though, were doubtlessly the superior side and eventually good value for their victory given the chances they created in the absence of a number nine.
Eventually, though, it was a recognised striker that made all the difference.
Here are four things United supporters learned from their opening night victory.
1. Joshua Zirkzee is more than a facilitator
Rasmus Hojlund's hamstring injury means summer arrival Zirkzee has a big role to play at the start of United's 2024/25 campaign. A limited pre-season, however, meant the Dutch forward was left out of Ten Hag's starting XI on Friday night as United went striker-less.
However, with the hosts struggling to penetrate, Zirkzee was introduced for his Premier League debut on the hour.
The former Bayern Munich striker has arrived with the reputation of being more of a facilitator than a goalscorer. Amid an excellent season with Bologna in 2023/24, Zirkzee scored just 11 Serie A goals.
He was brought on the make the difference against Fulham, but much of his cameo was merely neat and tidy. Zirkzee dropped off the visitors' defensive line in order to receive possession, but it was this movement which set the stage for his winner three minutes from time. After receiving possession in a deeper position, Zirkzee distributed the ball wide, entered the box, and poked home the first goal of the 2024/25 season from an Alejandro Garnacho cross.
Roberto Firmino, eat your heart out.
2. Issues remain without the ball
Man Utd's 2023/24 campaign was plagued by their woes out of possession. A disconnected press left gaping voids between their defensive lines, with teams often having far too much success penetrating right through the heart of United's midfield. They simply couldn't contain the counter-attack.
Friday night offered some encouragement. The hosts brightest moments in the final third arrived off the back of a high regain.
Ten Hag is continuing with a 4-4-2 press, but it's clear that issues still remain. While the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City work in complete unison when pressing high, United are not yet functioning as a collective from top to bottom.
Often, just one or two were late to jump which allowed Fulham to bypass and transition with ease. Left-back Antonee Robinson was typically the man left spare. A disconnected press allowed Fulham to dominate possession in the opening stages, but Ten Hag's structural tweaks did hand them greater control without the ball and ensured they grew into the game.
There were positive signs, but some teething issues remain. Perhaps that's to be expected on opening night.
3. Noussair Mazraoui: bargain
Ten Hag confirmed in the week that United's two new recruits were ready for Friday's game, but only one, Mazraoui, got the nod. Matthijs de Ligt eventually replaced the Moroccan full-back 81 minutes in.
The former Bayern Munich defender operated at right-back on Friday and produced a distinctly composed debut. While United supporters had gotten used to the technically erratic performances of Aaron Wan-Bissaka down the right flank, Mazraoui goes about his work in complete contrast.
A cool customer who's adept working in a myriad of zones, Mazraoui drifted inside to operate centrally, even taking up advanced positions between the lines, and combined efficiently down his flank. He's technically superb and the ease at which he slotted in should be hugely encouraging.
Early on, the defender made a crucial intervention to deny Alex Iwobi from getting a shot off after Adama Traore broke fiercely down the right. The tackle set the tone for an impressive Premier League debut.
4. Questions over Jadon Sancho
Ten Hag said back in July that he and Sancho had "drawn a line" under their previous differences, potentially setting the stage for a renaissance from the winger at Old Trafford.
After falling out with his Dutch manager last season, Sancho returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan and shone as the German club reached the Champions League final.
There was an expectation that Sancho would leave Manchester this summer, but Ten Hag's comments and the minutes earned by the Englishman in pre-season suggested Sancho was back in the manager's good books and ready to play a role in 2024/25. He came off the bench during Man Utd's Community Shield defeat last weekend.
Thus, questions were raised when it was revealed that Sancho was absent from Friday's matchday squad. However, Ten Hag confirmed pre-match that the winger had been dealing with an ear infection in the build-up to the game, saying he "preferred others on the bench".
It doesn't seem as if there's any more to it, but Sancho's situation may be one to monitor heading into the final two weeks of the summer window.
