90min

X reacts as Man Utd beat Fulham on first day of Premier League season

  • Man Utd open new Premier League season with 1-0 win against Fulham
  • Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee with debut goal
  • How social media reacted to Friday night fixture

By Sean Walsh

Zirkzee was the match-winner
Zirkzee was the match-winner / Michael Regan/GettyImages
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Oh, Premier League football, how we have missed you.

The Barclays is back, and the new season kicked off in vintage style - with Manchester United grabbing victory late in the day.

The Red Devils downed Fulham on opening night, thanks to a last-gasp strike from new-boy Joshua Zirkzee.

But there were plenty of thrills and spills both before and after the game's opening goal.

Here's how social media reacted to Friday's game at Old Trafford.

Before kick-off, United confirmed there would be only one debutant in their starting lineup, with Noussair Mazraoui coming into their XI.

United's other new signings - including the injured Leny Yoro - were paraded to the Old Trafford crowd following the warmups to a warm reception.

For Fulham, Emile Smith Rowe was handed a debut, and his former fans at Arsenal were wishing him the best of luck.

The first clear-cut chance of the game was created by United, with Casemiro supplying Bruno Fernandes after winning the ball back high up the pitch. His captain fluffed his lines, however, and missed again soon after when again fed by the Brazilian midfielder.

The hosts wanted a penalty when at first glance it looked as though Emile Smith Rowe had brought down Harry Maguire, but the defender was instead booked for a dive.

After the break, Zirkzee was brought on as part of a double substitution with Alejandro Garnacho which saw Mason Mount and Amad Diallo hooked.

But soon after their introductions, United ought to have gone behind. A rash lunge from Lisandro Martinez left Maguire having to defend a two-on-one against Andreas Pereira and Alex Iwobi, but the pass from the Brazil international was poor and too easy to cut out.

And that allowed for the grandstand finish. With minutes remaining, Zirkzee came into midfield and shifted play to the right wing, where Garnacho put in a low cross to be stabbed home precisely by United's new No. 11.

Some people (mainly rival fans) would say it was written in the stars.

United were able to coast to victory, though not before Calvin Bassey gifted an opening to Marcus Rashford. His square ball to Garnacho was a little behind the Argentine and the subsequent shot was dragged wide from point-blank range.

Alas, the three points belonged to United regardless.

Erik ten Hag's men are top of the league.

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