Match report as debutant Joshua Zirkzee nets dream winner

Joshua Kirkzee got here off the bench to prod residence a last-gasp debut purpose to present Man United three factors towards Fulham.

The 23-year-old summer time signing from Bologna was left on the bench with Erik Ten Hag choosing a line-up and not using a recognised striker.

Nonetheless he introduced on his countryman on the hour and Kirkzee made the telling contribution when he bumped into the world to poke residence a volley from Alejandro Garnacho’s cross from the suitable three minutes from time.

Fulham keeper Bernd Leno twice denied Bruno Fernandes and in addition thwarted Mason Mount whereas Andre Onana foiled Kenny Tete and Rogrigo Muniz on the different finish as Fulham had been on high for lengthy spells at Previous Trafford as United struggled to discover a innovative within the ultimate third.

Friday evening delight! ❤️‍🔥🙌#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/EXBEXGjMJA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024

No recognised striker

Ten Hag handed a debut to Noussair Mazraoui however left Matthijs de Ligt and Zirkzee on the bench, whereas Marco Silva gave Emile Smith Rowe his first Cottagers begin in an XI which included seven of the group which gained 2-1 at Previous Trafford in January

Simply three days after signing Mazraoui needed to produce a significant sliding intervention within the opening minutes to forestall Alex Iwobe latching onto a pullback after Adama Traore had sped down the suitable and into the field, beating Lisandro Martinez.

Traore lashed over the bar earlier than Kenny Tete’s 25-yard roller drew a flying save from his former Ajax teammate Onana.

Mount, making simply his second begin for United since final October, picked up a reserving inside 20 minutes for a lunge on Smith Rowe.

Fernandes fired a first-time effort from a near-impossible angle into the side-netting whereas one other former Ajax participant, Calvin Bassey, was booked on 25 minutes for a sliding problem on Mount.

Casemiro fired effectively over Leno’s bar shortly earlier than the German keeper casually gave the ball away on the sting of his personal field however recovered to dam Fernandes’ sliced low effort along with his legs simply earlier than the half-hour, when the Portuguese actually ought to have scored.

Fernandes had one other probability 5 minutes later when Casemiro expertly slotted him clear via close to the penalty spot however his first-time effort was blocked by Leno’s legs as soon as once more, whereas Casemiro’s downward header from a far-post nook drifted large and he ballooned one other 20-yard volley over the bar shortly afterwards.

One other enormous save from Bernd! 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/gmXDwPYw2m

— Fulham Soccer Membership (@FulhamFC) August 16, 2024

Earlier than the break Harry Maguire was cautioned by referee Robert Jones for diving to attempt to win a penalty with Smith Rowe dangling a leg shut by.

Fulham the brighter

After the turnaround Iwobi acquired an excessive amount of on a near-post header from a nook as Fulham started the brighter and Tete noticed one other glancing header from a set piece hacked away by Diogo Dalot quickly after.

Mount’s near-post effort was denied by the boot of Leno after a lightning United counter assault and Kobbie Mainoo dragged a low 20-yard effort previous the upright on 55 minutes.

Zirkzee was launched simply earlier than the hour to the delight of the house devoted, with Garnacho additionally approaching instead of Mount and Amad, however Rodrigo Muniz’s acrobatic volley cannoned off Mainoo and wanted to be tipped over the bar by Onana quickly after.

Smith Rowe was withdrawn by Fulham on 64 minutes, with Tom Cairney changing him, however Andreas Pereira in some way did not play Iwobi clear via when the guests had been two-on-one on the counterattack.

Dalot’s inviting cross was effectively defended by Antonee Robinson earlier than Pereira was booked for waving an imaginary yellow card and Cairney acquired one other actual one for a problem on Garnacho moments later.

Martinez produced a last-ditch clearance in his personal goalmouth from Pereira’s low cross to forestall Fulham taking the lead on the break on 74 minutes and the guests gained a sequence of corners, however couldn’t take benefit.

Muniz was crowded out by Maguire because the Cottagers tried to search out the breakthrough, his ultimate motion earlier than being changed by Raul Jimenez with lower than quarter-hour remaining.

Fernandes curled straight at Leno from the sting of the field when he might need performed in Zirkzee on the left whereas de Ligt and Jonny Evans had been introduced on with 10 minutes to go together with Maguire and Mazzraoui making manner within the closing phases.

In a stretched finale Tete’s outstretched boot denied Marcus Rashford a far-post tap-in from Garnacho’s pullback however the essential second arrived on 87 minutes when Zirkzee unfold the ball large to the suitable earlier than persevering with his run into the world and prodding residence a first-time volley which despatched the ball previous Leno and into the underside nook to spark wild celebrations.

Garnacho missed an open purpose in time added on after Rashford had squared to him after final man Bassey had missed his kick, however to the aid of Ten Hag United held on to make a successful begin to the season.