Manchester United vs Fulham PLAYER RATINGS: Which 5.5/10 superstar 'can do a LOT better'? Who dictated play 'so effortlessly'? And who was 'cool as a cucumber' on debut, while who 'struggled'?

  • Man United newcomer Joshua Zirkzee scored late on to seal a 1-0 win vs Fulham 

By Nathan Salt

Published: | Updated:

Manchester United newcomer Joshua Zirkzee enjoyed a dream debut at Old Trafford on Friday night, tapping in an 87th minute winner to seal a late victory against Fulham and get the Red Devils' 2024-25 season off to a solid start.

After coming off the bench in the 60th minute, the 23-year-old Dutchman, who joined in a £36.5million transfer from Bologna this summer tapped in a cross from Alejandro Garnacho to help his side take all three points. 

'To win here on my first home game, and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better,' a delighted Zirkzee told Sky Sports after the match. 


Fulham had their chances in the second half to snatch the win and will be pleased with their performance, despite not being able to replicate their victory at Old Trafford last season.

Mail Sport's Nathan Salt delivers his player ratings from Old Trafford as Zirkzee dazzles for the Red Devils. 

Joshua Zirkzee (left) enjoyed a dream debut at Old Trafford tapping in the 87th minute winner

Joshua Zirkzee (left) enjoyed a dream debut at Old Trafford tapping in the 87th minute winner

An elated Zirkzee stated that his first outing at Old Trafford 'couldn't have been better'

An elated Zirkzee stated that his first outing at Old Trafford 'couldn't have been better'

The victory will see Erik ten Hag's side get their 2024-25 campaign off on the right foot

The victory will see Erik ten Hag's side get their 2024-25 campaign off on the right foot 

 

Man United (4-2-4) 

Andre Onana - 7

Made a brilliant save in the first half to deny a Kenny Tete pile-driver and then had to be on his guard when an acrobatic hooked effort from Muniz almost dropped in over his head. Will be tougher assignments than this one on the horizon.

Noussair Mazraoui - 7.5

Signed this week following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s move to West Ham, this was a very encouraging debut from the former Ajax and Bayern Munich full back. Immediately won the fans over with some crunching - but fair - challenges. Ten Hag said he doesn’t feel pressure and that checked out. He looked cool as a cucumber.

Harry Maguire - 7.5

Dominated Muniz and limited the Fulham striker to very, very little. Once again a monstrous display in the air and made a goal-saving interception when Fulham broke two-on-one. Only to mark his card for the night after he got booked for diving when he wanted a penalty. Not a good look.

Lisandro Martinez - 7

Operating in a more natural centre back role after a difficult afternoon at left back in the Community Shield, he soon found his groove when he shoulder barged Traore off the ball. You could see his confidence grow thereafter.

Andre Onana made a brilliant save to deny a Kenny Tete pile-driver and had to be on his guard when Muniz almost dropped the ball in over his head

Andre Onana made a brilliant save to deny a Kenny Tete pile-driver and had to be on his guard when Muniz almost dropped the ball in over his head

This was a very encouraging debut from former Bayern Munich full back Noussair Mazraoui

This was a very encouraging debut from former Bayern Munich full back Noussair Mazraoui

Lisandro Martinez (right) found his groove when he shoulder barged Traore off the ball

Lisandro Martinez (right) found his groove when he shoulder barged Traore off the ball

Harry Maguire (right) dominated Muniz and limited the Fulham striker during the game

Harry Maguire (right) dominated Muniz and limited the Fulham striker during the game

Diogo Dalot - 6.5

Moved across left back with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both out, he got the least-wanted assignment of going up against the rapid Adama Traore. Grew into the game after a couple of early scares.

Casemiro - 7

Finished the first half with five shots and should have had a pair of assists when playing in Bruno Fernandes inside the area, this was a real feather in the Brazilian’s cap after last season raised serious doubts of his ability to continue playing at this level.

Kobbie Mainoo - 8

Couldn’t believe he didn’t score when teed up by Mount on the edge of the box 56 minutes in, but this was a display worthy of the pre-match praise that hailed him as a burgeoning superstar. Dictates play so effortlessly. He is going to be the metronome of this team for years to come.

Amad Diallo - 6

Got the nod ahead of Alejandro Garnacho as a reward for his hard work during pre-season. Showed flashes of his brilliance and at one stage was crying out for a penalty, only for VAR to dismiss it instantly.

This was a real feather in Casemiro's cap after last season raised serious doubts of his ability

This was a real feather in Casemiro's cap after last season raised serious doubts of his ability

Kobbie Mainoo (left) is going to be the metronome of this United team for years to come

Kobbie Mainoo (left) is going to be the metronome of this United team for years to come

Mason Mount is crucial to United¿s high press and his energy and intensity cannot be ignored

Mason Mount is crucial to United’s high press and his energy and intensity cannot be ignored

Mason Mount - 6.5

Crucial to United’s high press and his energy and intensity cannot be ignored. Still think he has to show more in terms of being a goal threat if he is to keep getting starts when everyone is fully fit. Booked.

Bruno Fernandes - 5.5

Will be wondering how on earth he didn’t score. First, shot straight at Bernd Leno’s legs when he was put through in the area after a Fulham mistake under the pressure of United’s press. Then he should have scored after a similarly clever through ball by Casemiro. By his standards he can do a lot, lot better.

Marcus Rashford - 6

Much was made of his two spurned opportunities at Wembley in the Community Shield and it was a show of faith to pick him from the start here by Ten Hag. Rashford was positive in his running and looked to tee up Mount for an opener after a clever run from left to right, only for the chance to go awry.

Marcus Rashford (right) was positive in his running and looked to tee up Mount for an opener

Marcus Rashford (right) was positive in his running and looked to tee up Mount for an opener 

By his standards Bruno Fernandes can certainly do a lot better than his performance tonight

By his standards Bruno Fernandes can certainly do a lot better than his performance tonight

Manager: Erik ten Hag - 7

Said before the game that his team wasn’t ‘ready’ for the start of the season and while this wasn’t how he envisages this team at their very best, there was positive signs in here for the season to come. Will have been made up to see his substitutes combine, as well as Zirkzee scoring on his debut.

Substitutes 

Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad Diallo, 60) - 7

Joshua Zirkzee (for Mason Mount, 60) - 8

Jonny Evans (Harry Maguire, 81)

Matthjis de Ligt (Noussair Mazraoui, 81)

Scott McTominay (for Kobbie Mainoo, 84)

Zirkzee was the pick of the substitutes, coming on for Mount in the 60th minute to score on his debut

Zirkzee was the pick of the substitutes, coming on for Mount in the 60th minute to score on his debut

Ten Hag will have been made up to see his substitutes combine, as well as Zirkzee scoring on his debut

Ten Hag will have been made up to see his substitutes combine, as well as Zirkzee scoring on his debut

 

Fulham (4-2-3-1) 

Bernd Leno - 7

Irked Fulham’s goalkeeping coach for some of his passing out from the back but he delivered two huge saves to deny Fernandes inside the area. Was a key reason Fulham weren’t put away towards the end of the first half when they lost their shape. Could do nothing about the winner.

Kenny Tete - 6.5

Almost produced an absolute stunner when he went from one end of the pitch to the other and let rip from 25 yards out, only to force Andre Onana into a super stop. Had his hands full with Marcus Rashford and was more often than not worried about going too far forward to be a factor in Fulham’s attacks.

Issa Diop - 6

Struggled to deal with thee free-flowing movement that United possess when starting with Fernandes and Mount as interchangeable false nines. Grew into the game better than his centre back partner, though.

Bernd Leno (right) was a key reason Fulham weren¿t put away towards the end of the first half

Bernd Leno (right) was a key reason Fulham weren’t put away towards the end of the first half 

Kenny Tete almost produced an absolute stunner when he went from one end of the pitch to the other and let rip from 25 yards out

Kenny Tete almost produced an absolute stunner when he went from one end of the pitch to the other and let rip from 25 yards out

Calvin Bassey endured a tough night and had his goalkeeper to thank for keeping United at bay

Calvin Bassey endured a tough night and had his goalkeeper to thank for keeping United at bay

Calvin Bassey - 5.5

Booked for a crunching challenge on Mount and this was a tough night for the centre back, who had his goalkeeper to thank for United being kept at bay.

Antonee Robinson - 6

Was more of an attacking threat for the visitors than Tete on the other side after making some timely reads of play to intercept and break at speed. Never seemed to be on the same page as his team-mates when it came to the final ball, though.

Sasa Lukic - 6

With no Joao Palhinha these days there is extra pressure on Lukic in a No 6 role to provide a screen in front of this back four. Looked overrun towards the back end of the first half when United turned the screw but he settled back in to help see this game out.

Antonee Robinson never seemed to be on the same page as his team-mates when it came to the final ball

Antonee Robinson never seemed to be on the same page as his team-mates when it came to the final ball 

Sasa Lukic (left) looked overrun towards the back end of the first half when United turned the screw

Sasa Lukic (left) looked overrun towards the back end of the first half when United turned the screw

Andreas Pereira started well but faded and irked referee Robert Jones in the second half

Andreas Pereira started well but faded and irked referee Robert Jones in the second half

Andreas Pereira - 6.5

Back at his former club, Pereira started well but faded. Irked referee Robert Jones in the second half when he dithered over taking a free-kick and was booked. Fulham fans then burst into a rendition of ‘Silva’s right, the refs are s***e’.

Adama Traore - 6

If his decision-making was as quick as his legs are, you would be watching one of the best players in the Premier League every single week. Seems to do the hard part really well and then the easy final pass he fluffs. No wonder Marco Silva was jumping around in his technical area.

Emile Smith Rowe - 5

So much fanfare around his arrival from Arsenal this summer and an impressive pre-season saw Fantasy Football managers pick the attacking midfielder in their millions. But this was a quiet display from him where he struggled to put his imprint on the game before he was hooked as Fulham’s first change.

Adama Traore seems to do the hard part really well and then the easy final pass he fluffs

Adama Traore seems to do the hard part really well and then the easy final pass he fluffs

Emile Smith Rowe endured a quiet display and struggled to put his imprint on the game

Emile Smith Rowe endured a quiet display and struggled to put his imprint on the game 

Alex Iwobi (left) struggled to get any chance out of Mazraoui, which made for a frustrating evening

Alex Iwobi (left) struggled to get any chance out of Mazraoui, which made for a frustrating evening

Alex Iwobi - 6

Scored a stoppage time winner when the two sides met here last season but this was a much quieter affair from the left winger. Struggled to get any chance out of Mazraoui, which made for a frustrating evening. Winner came down his side, too, as he didn’t do enough in terms of tracking back.

Rodrigo Muniz - 5

Was incredibly well marshalled by Maguire and Martinez and despite his frame he struggled to cause any real problems. Was limited to an ambitious overhead hook shot that almost dropped in.

Rodrigo Muniz was well marshalled by Maguire and Martinez and struggled to cause problems

Rodrigo Muniz was well marshalled by Maguire and Martinez and struggled to cause problems

Marco Silva will be annoyed his team didn't make better use of their chances on the counter

Marco Silva will be annoyed his team didn't make better use of their chances on the counter

Manager: Marco Silva - 6

Was mad as a box of frogs all evening, jumping around in his technical area and remonstrating with his coaching staff and the fourth official. Will be annoyed that his team didn’t make better use of their chances on the counter attack because they were there.

Substitutes  

Tom Cairney (for Emile Smith Rowe, 64) - 6

Raul Jimenez (for Rodrigo Muniz, 78) - 5

Harry Wilson (for Adama Traore, 78) - 5

Harrison Reed (for Sasa Lukic, 90)

Jay Stansfield (for Andreas Pereira, 90)

Adama TraoreFulhamAlejandro Garnacho