Man Utd 1 Fulham 0 LIVE RESULT: New signing Joshua Zirkzee comes off the bench to score late winner – latest updates
MANCHESTER UNITED won their opening Premier League game of the season thanks to a late goal from new signing Joshua Zirkzee.
The game was a drab one but Zirkzee, who came on after 60 minutes, was able to provide a deft touch to steer the ball into the corner with minutes to go.
- Kick off time: 8pm BST
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League
- Live stream: NOW/Sky Sports app
- Man Utd team: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Mount, Fernandes, Rashford, Amad, Casemiro, Mainoo
- Fulham team: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Adama, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Muniz
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Match report - Neil Custis
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE sat on the bench and watched as chances came and went.
Then he came on the pitch and showed everyone how to put one away.
A dream debut after coming on as a 60th minute sub, finishing with an 87th minute flick that won the game. Wow.
The £36.5million signing from Bologna finished off a superb move from deep inside their own half.
It ended with the excellent Casemiro feeding Alejandro Garnacho on the right and his fine low cross was met by the outstretched boot of Zirkzee in front of a delirious Stretford End.
Reward for Manchester United’s fine play on the night but it had all come without that finish.
Read the full match report below...
What a moment, and what a stat!
And what a picture this is, as Joshua Zirkzee celebrates his first Manchester United goal, the winner on the Premier League opening day.
He is the first Dutch player to score the opening goal in a PL season since his new coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2005-06!
Joshua Zirkzee celebrates his winner with Marcus RashfordCredit: Getty Full-time match stats
This is how the match stats look at full-time.
By the looks of things it was Man Utd who were worthy winners, as they had more shots on target and the better chances of the game too, as well as more possession.
The match stats as Man Utd got the better of Fulham on the Premier League opening day
Joshua Zirkzee reacts:
Joshua Zirkzee has reflected on his first game and first goal for Manchester United in his post-match interview:
"To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn't be better!"
"I've been told it is one of the best feelings here at Manchester United, so I just feel very blessed and grateful to experience that in my first game at the club."
"It's a great team, we want to achieve something great and it's been a dream so far actually.""It's been a dream!"
Joshua ZirkzeeA winning beginning!
For Manchester United that is...
They left it late with Joshua Zirkzee tapping home the winner from an Alejandro Garnacho cross.
It was a night in which Fulham will feel hard done by, having a point taken from their grasp late on - but in the end it was the home side who deserved the victory.
That sees Man Utd head to the top of the table, most likely for one night only, but hey, it's a small win.
Joshua Zirkzee celebrates his winning goal against FulhamCredit: AP FULL-TIME: Man Utd 1-0 Fulham
FT. The referee blows the whistle for full time, and Joshua Zirkzee's late finish has won the game for Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag breathes a sigh of relief, and so do his side after what was a game in which both teams had chances.
Man Utd were the better of the two teams overall on the night, and pick up the first three points of the Premier League season.
How is it not two? Man Utd 1-0 Fulham
90+4. HOW ON EARTH HAS HE MISSED?
A defensive error by Calvin Bassey for Fulham allows Rashford to drive towards goal and it's him and Garnacho against the goalkeeper Leno.Rashford squares it and all Garnacho needs to do is tap it into an empty net, but he delays his finish and somehow puts it wide!
Man Utd 1-0 Fulham
90+2. Fulham are throwing everything at this now, but Man Utd have possession with Bruno Fernandes.
He plays a great ball into the middle as United hunt for a second, but Garnacho's effort is just stopped by the Fulham defence.
Man Utd 1-0 Fulham
90. Lisandro Martinez gives away a foul near the corner spot late on as the clock ticks over the 90-minute mark.
The free-kick is whipped in by Pereira, but cleared by Man Utd.
There are FOUR minutes added at the end of the game.
Man Utd 1-0 Fulham
89. Now that is how you open your account in the Premier League, such a sweet finish.
He had struggled to get involved in the game, but showed up when it mattered.
Now can Man Utd see it out?
GOALLLLLLL! Man Utd 1-0 Fulham
MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE SCORED!
AND IT'S JOSHUA ZIRKZEE ON HIS DEBUT!
Zirkzee is involved in the build-up as his pass out to Casemiro is a good one.
Casemiro taps it to Garnacho, who crosses into the middle and Zirkzee runs onto the cross to tap home with a cute finish into the bottom left corner.
That's a great finish from the lad on his debut.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
87. Alejandro Garnacho fumes as he strides towards the edge of the box with the ball before falling over his own feet...
Fulham will come forwards again now with Iwobi, but he is slide tackled well by Casemiro.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
85. Scott McTominay is coming on for Kobbie Mainoo here in the dying moments.
Fulham had bids for Scott McTominay rebuffed in this summer window, and he could put a dagger in the hearts of their faithful fans with a goal at the death here...
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
84. Lisandro Martinez has gone to left back now, with Evans and De Ligt at the heart of defence and Dalot at right back.
The Red Devils immediately come forwards down the right hand side, but a ball across the box is just cut out by Kenny Tete to deny Marcus Rashford a tap-in.
De Ligt comes on: Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
82. A double change here for Man Utd following Bruno Fernandes putting the ball wide after a good interchange of play.
Jonny Evans is coming on for Harry Maguire, who walks off with a limp.
And Noussair Mazraoui is off to be replaced by fellow new boy Matthijs De Ligt who also makes his PL debut for Manchester United tonight.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
80. Manchester United escape again, this time from Muniz as Maguire blocks him well inside the box allowing Onana to clean up.
Fulham again looked dangerous from the left hand side, this time with Cairney and Iwobi linking up.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
77. Fulham have two corners in quick succession.
Both are dealt with by Manchester United, but Fulham come forwards again after the second.
Fulham look like they're the more threatening side at this moment.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
75. Tom Cairney is booked for Fulham.
Fulham come forward on the break and they have a three on two situation - the ball goes into Tom Cairney, who slides through Andreas Pereira on the left hand side.
He crosses low into the middle, but it is turned out for a Fulham corner by Lisandro Martinez.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
72. Starting to panic a little, as I'm really hoping the Premier League campaign doesn't open with a goalless draw....
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
70. Andreas Pereira causing more problems here for Man Utd, as he dances around Dalot and wins a foul.
He does however bizarrely pick up a yellow card for kicking the ball at Lisandro Martinez who is blocking the quick free-kick.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
67. Huge chance wasted by Fulham as Andreas Pereira picks up the ball and looks to play in Alex Iwobi in a two on one situation.
Harry Maguire sticks a leg out and makes the most vital block of the game so far, Iwobi is frustrated.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
65. Smith-Rowe is being replaced for Fulham, as makes Tom Cairney makes an entrance.
It was a good performance from the ex-Arsenal man, perhaps just missing that final ball.
He worked hard and is deserving of the round of applause he receives from the travelling fans.
Zirkzee debut! Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
62. Two changes here for Manchester United.
Alejandro Garnacho is on for Amad Diallo, and Joshua Zirkzee is replacing Mason Mount.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
60. Joshua Zirkzee is stripped of his training gear and set to come on here for his Man Utd debut.
They do look as though they need a presence up top.
Man Utd 0-0 Fulham
57. Lovely move from Manchester United and they go close again!
The midfield players Mount, Casemiro and Mainoo combine really nicely, and the latter has a shot from the edge of the box which goes just wide of the near post.