Match Preview: United 1 Fulham 0

Manchester United began the 2*024–25 Premier League season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford, courtesy of a late goal by debutant Joshua Zirkzee.

Two minutes from full-time, substitute Zirkzee latched onto a cross from Alejandro Garnacho, poking the ball into the net to seal the win. This match also marked the debuts of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui for United at Old Trafford.

Before Zirkzee’s crucial goal, United had created the better chances, with Bernd Leno twice denying Bruno Fernandes in the first half and later blocking a close-range effort from Mason Mount shortly after the break.

The match was entertaining and appeared to be heading for a goalless draw before Zirkzee’s decisive strike. At the other end, Andre Onana made two excellent saves, thwarting attempts from Kenny Tete and Rodrigo Muniz to keep United level.

First Half – Creating Chances

The game started with high intensity as Marcus Rashford charged towards goal within the first 30 seconds, though he was flagged for offside by the assistant referee. After this early flurry, United settled into a more composed period of possession.

Fulham, however, posed the first real threat. Adama Traore used his blistering pace to drive down the right wing and deliver a dangerous cut-back into the box. Just as Alex Iwobi looked set to pounce, Mazraoui stepped in with a crucial intervention to clear the danger.

Shortly after, Amad began making his mark on the right flank for United, weaving through two Fulham defenders and entering the box, only to be clipped by Antonee Robinson, earning United a promising free-kick.

Shouts for a penalty echoed around Old Trafford, but referee Rob Jones waved play on, with VAR confirming no significant contact in the challenge. Amid the chaos, Fulham full-back Kenny Tete launched a counter-attack, racing through the midfield before unleashing a curling shot from distance. Onana was equal to the task, making an acrobatic save to tip the ball behind.

Defensive strength was a theme of the first half, highlighted when Traore gained possession in a central position and tried to outrun United’s backline. Lisandro Martínez calmly muscled him off the ball, allowing it to roll out for a goal kick.

United’s first major chance came when Bruno Fernandes capitalized on an errant pass from Leno around the half-hour mark. Casemiro intercepted the ball and sent a through-pass to Fernandes, but Leno quickly rushed out to block the shot.

The pair almost linked up again five minutes later, creating another dangerous opportunity, but Leno once again stood strong, and Casemiro headed wide from a corner shortly after.

As the first half drew to a close, United had another penalty appeal denied when Harry Maguire reached a loose ball ahead of Emile Smith Rowe, who recently joined Fulham from Arsenal. The referee, however, was not convinced and instead booked Maguire for his challenge.

Second Half – The Perfect Introduction

Fulham came out with renewed energy in the second half, pressing United with a series of corners shortly after the restart.

United absorbed the pressure and began to push forward, frequently winning the ball back in midfield. In the 52nd minute, Rashford broke free down the left and set up Mount, whose close-range shot was once again denied by Leno.

United continued to increase the pressure, with the crowd urging Kobbie Mainoo to take a shot from outside the box after a well-constructed move. Mainoo took the chance but narrowly missed the target.

Sensing the momentum, Erik ten Hag made a strategic decision at the hour mark, bringing on fresh attacking options. Garnacho replaced Amad, and Joshua Zirkzee made his competitive debut for United, receiving a warm ovation as he came on for Mount.

Garnacho appeared to be tripped shortly after United took an attacking set-piece, but the referee allowed play to continue, leading to another Fulham counter-attack.

The ball eventually reached former United midfielder Andreas Pereira on the edge of the box, who sent a dangerous cross across the goalmouth. Any touch could have resulted in a Fulham goal, but Martínez was quick to clear the ball behind for a corner.

The game became increasingly open, with Garnacho sprinting down the opposite byline and delivering a driven cross that nearly set up Rashford for a tap-in, but Tete managed to get just enough of a touch to prevent the goal.

Garnacho wasn’t finished, though. In the final moments of the game, a quick United break saw the winger in possession down the right once more. He whipped in a sharp cross into the box, where debutant Zirkzee got just enough contact to steer the ball past the diving Leno, securing a dramatic win for United.