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After 87 grueling minutes on Friday night (August 16), Manchester United finally broke through with a goal from debutant Joshua Zirkzee, securing three points in their Premier League opener against Fulham. Fans hailed the young Dutchman and expressed their jubilation over the Red Devils' win.
With Rasmus Hojlund sidelined, Bruno Fernandes started as a makeshift Number 9 for United, and Zirkzee was stuck to the bench. The Dutch forward, part of the Netherlands' Euro 2024 campaign, lacked any pre-season minutes under his belt. Questions were even raised regarding his fitness levels but all were silenced in a jiffy after he was brought on in the 61st minute to operate in the forward line.
Until his arrival, Manchester United's attack looked lackluster, as the likes of Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo failed to cut open the rigid backline of Fulham. Fernandes had a few opportunities in the first half, but his below-par finishing didn't help the side's cause.
Zirkzee gave Erik ten Hag's men a towering figure to target inside the box, and Alejandro Garnacho found the former Bologna striker with precision in the 87th minute. The Argentine's blazing cross was helped on its way by the debutant, and the ball rolled past a helpless Bernd Leno to give Manchester United the all-important lead.
Old Trafford celebrated the strike in unison as the club registered a perfect start to their 2024-25 campaign. Here's how fans on social media reacted to the victorious start and the winner from Zirkzee on debut:
"FIRST MATCH!! FIRST GOAL!! FIRST WIN!! JOSHUA ZIRKZEE. Haaland come outside #MUNFUL," a fan wrote.
"We done lads. Keep building that chemistry and good things will happen," another one chimed in.
"Our Starboy did it," a fan wrote.
"First win. First clean sheet. On top of the table. Zirkzee debut and scoring. Man United for life," another one commented.
“Scoring on my debut here feels incredible” - Joshua Zirkzee after scoring the winner for Manchester United
Given the context of the tie and the near-perfect defensive display from Marco Silva's men, Joshua Zirkzee's strike was crucial for Manchester United. The 23-year-old became the 15th Dutchman to score on his Premier League debut and the fourth to do so for Manchester United, following Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alexander Büttner, and Donny van de Beek.
After scoring the goal, Zirkzee averred (via Fabrizio Romano on X):
“It’s been a dream to come here, I feel very warm in Manchester. Scoring on my debut here feels incredible.”
Next, Manchester United will face a revamped Brighton side, who have posed a threat to all the heavyweights in the recent past. Ten Hag will be hoping his men, especially Zirkzee, can build on the momentum. The game will be played on Saturday (August 24).
