In all my career as a player,I have never seen this kind player like Him before,He surprised me last night and I’m so happy to play with such a great talent”, Joshua Zirkzee reveals the only Man United that He loves watching yesterday – Not Rashford and Not Garnacho

Manchester United began their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday. Despite dominating much of the game and creating several scoring opportunities, the Red Devils found Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, in inspired form, making crucial saves to keep the match level. It wasn’t until the 87th minute that United finally broke the deadlock with a debut goal from Joshua Zirkzee.

The match could have ended more comfortably for United, especially when Alejandro Garnacho missed a golden chance in stoppage time. Nonetheless, Zirkzee, whose late strike secured the victory, earned the man-of-the-match honors. However, another standout performance came from midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who was pivotal in controlling the game from midfield.

Mainoo, a rising talent from United’s youth academy, showcased his all-around abilities by winning 13 duels and maintaining a 90 percent passing accuracy, including three perfectly executed long balls. His dribbling skills were on display with four successful take-ons, and he drew four fouls from Fulham’s players, making him a constant thorn in their side.

After the match, Mainoo took to Instagram to share his joy, captioning his post with “No place like home” and giving a nod to Zirkzee as a “hitman.” Zirkzee responded by calling Mainoo the “General,” reflecting the strong camaraderie within the team.

While United’s performance was an improvement over last season’s opening match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where they narrowly escaped with a win, there are still areas that need refinement. Bruno Fernandes missed two clear chances in the first half, and Garnacho’s late miss could have sealed the game more comfortably.

Defensively, United were solid but not without issues. Fulham only managed two shots on target, yet there were gaps between United’s attack and defense that could be exploited by stronger opposition. Casemiro, who contributed significantly to United’s attack, struggled with his defensive responsibilities, often being caught out of position. The Brazilian lost possession 13 times and was dribbled past twice, highlighting a potential weakness that United may need to address by bringing in a top-class defensive midfielder to add depth and stability.

In summary, while Manchester United’s season opener showcased the team’s potential and individual brilliance, particularly from Zirkzee and Mainoo, there are areas that need attention. Addressing these weaknesses will be crucial as United aim to compete at the highest level this season.