Zirkzee Shines on Debut as Manchester United Secures Narrow Victory Over Fulham

Joshua Zirkzee made a memorable debut for Manchester United, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Fulham at Old Trafford. After a quiet first half, Zirkzee, who joined United from Bologna for £35.7 million, showcased his striking instincts by arriving late to convert a cross from Garnacho in the 87th minute. His performance pleased manager Erik ten Hag, who noted Zirkzee's ability to link up play while also being a goal threat, contrasting his debut with the longer wait experienced by fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund last season. The 23-year-old expressed his excitement about joining what he called "the biggest club in the world," emphasizing the relief of scoring on his first outing. Zirkzee, who had previously excelled in Serie A, acknowledged the hard work behind his natural talent and praised the supportive environment at United, including familiar faces from his past, such as Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. Despite a lackluster match overall, with few clear chances for either side, Zirkzee's late goal secured three crucial points for United, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season. Fulham's Kenny Tete lamented the late defeat, noting their strong performance throughout the match. As the Premier League season kicks off, other teams like Arsenal and Liverpool are also looking to make strong starts, with Manchester City set to face Chelsea in their opener. Zirkzee's debut goal may signal a promising start for United as they aim to improve on last season's performance.