Manchester United opened their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Fulham, but were made to work hard to get all three points.
The Red Devils struggled against a well-drilled Cottagers outfit who failed to make the most of their attacking opportunities. United were, without a doubt, the superior team and in the end they had a good amount of victory given the chances they created without the number nine.
In the end, though, it was a well-known striker who made the difference.
Here are four things United fans learned from their opening night victory.
Rasmus Hojlund’s hamstring injury means that come summer Zirkzee has a big role to play at the start of United’s 2024/25 campaign. A limited pre-season, however, meant the Dutch striker was left out of Ten Hag’s starting line-up on Friday night as United lost a striker.
However, as the hosts struggled to get on, Zirkzee was handed his Premier League debut on the hour.
This striker who once played for Bayern Munich has come with the reputation of being an assistant rather than a striker. During a successful season with Bologna in 2023/24, Zirkzee scored only 11 goals in Serie A.
He was brought in to make the difference against Fulham, but most of his cameos were clean and tidy. Zirkzee left the visitors’ defense to get the ball, but it was this move that set the stage for his winner three minutes from time. After receiving the ball in the deep area, Zirkzee spread the ball wide, entered the box, and scored the first goal of the 2024/25 season from Alejandro Garnacho.
Roberto Firmino, eat your heart out.
Man Utd’s 2023/24 campaign has been plagued by relegation woes. The cut-off press left a gap between their defensive lines, with teams often having the most success entering the heart of United’s midfield. They couldn’t contain the counter attack.
On Friday night they offered encouragement. The athletes’ most outstanding times in the final third came after the highest scores.
Ten Hag continues to publish the 4-4-2, but it is clear that problems remain. While the boys from Arsenal and Manchester City work in perfect harmony when pressing up top, United have yet to work as a collective from top to bottom.
Often, one or two late bouncers allowed Fulham to pass and convert easily. Left back Antonee Robinson was the only one left out. The cut press allowed Fulham to dominate the ball in the first half, but Ten Hag’s structural tweaks gave them greater control off the ball and ensured they grew into the game.
There were good signs, but some teething problems remained. Maybe that’s to be expected on opening night.
Ten Hag confirmed this week that two of United’s new signings are fit for Friday’s game, but only one, Mazraoui, has given the nod. Matthijs de Ligt finally replaced the Moroccan defender 81 minutes in.
The former Bayern Munich defender operated at right back on Friday and produced a clearly composed performance. While United fans are used to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s poor play down the right, Mazraoui does his job completely differently.
A cool player adept at working in multiple areas, Mazraoui drifted inside to work in one area, even took up high positions between the lines, and blended well down his side. He is technically sound and the ease with which he comes in should motivate him greatly.
Early on, the defender made a crucial intervention to deny Alex Iwobi a shot after Adamu Traore broke hard on the right. Football has set the tone for the Premier League’s impressive performances.
The Ten Hag said in July that he and Sancho had “drawn a line” under their previous disagreement, potentially setting the stage for the defender’s renewal at Old Trafford.
After falling out with his Dutch boss last season, Sancho returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan and shone as the German side reached the Champions League final.
Sancho was expected to leave Manchester this summer, but Ten Hag’s comments and the Englishman’s pre-season minutes suggested Sancho is back in the manager’s good books and ready to play a role in 2024/25. He came off the bench when Man Utd lost the Community Shield last weekend.
So, questions arose when it emerged that Sancho was not in Friday’s squad. However, Ten Hag confirmed before the game that the defender had an ear problem in the build-up to the game, saying he “prefers others on the bench”.
There doesn’t seem to be anything else, but Sancho’s situation could be one of caution heading into the final two weeks of the summer window.
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