Zirkzee’s debut goal seals late win for United over Fulham in EPL opener

Joshua Zirkzee scored an 87th-minute winner to ensure Manchester United defeated Fulham 1-0 in the opening game of the 2024/25 English Premier League (EPL) season. 

The young Dutchman carried Erik ten Hag’s side over the edge against a sturdy Fulham side at Old Trafford on Friday night.

The 23-year-old, who has a Nigerian mother, was barely on the pitch for 20 minutes when he crashed into the box and swiped home a low cross from Alejandro Garnacho to score the lone goal of the game.

The weight of his £35 million price tag from Bologna could be seen dropping among the sweats as he danced in front of the Stretford End in celebration.

Man United finished eighth on the EPL log last season—the club’s worst position ever—and they are under a burden of expectation coming into the new season.

Ten Hag would be relieved his side managed to claim all three points in a match in which Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, a Super Eagles of Nigeria duo, played all 90 minutes.

For the eighth consecutive season, United played their first league match at home. They were not allowed out of the blocks early as Fulham threatened, but the Red Devils grew into the game, and Bruno Fernandes failed to convert two clear chances as both sides remained level at the interval.

Man United continued to look the likelier to score, and a new hero was born in the process as Zirkzee reacted first to Garnacho’s cross to poke into the net for the winner with three minutes left on the clock.

Zirkzee became the fourth Dutchman to score for Man United and the 15th to do so in the EPL.

The victory also ended United’s consecutive defeats against London clubs, and ten Hag’s side travel to Brighton & Hove Albion in their next league fixture.