OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER — Manchester United have kicked off the 2024/25 Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham as debutant Joshua Zirkzee found the back of the net late in the game.
Zirkzee, who started on the bench, guided home a sweet effort after a terrific cross from Alejandro Garnacho. The Dutchman signed from Bologna last month, and it was his first appearance in a United shirt.
Man United vs. Fulham final score
| FT | Goalscorers | |
| Man United | 1 | Zirkzee 87' |
| Fulham | 0 |
Ten Hag had insisted his team weren't ready going into this season and while there were signs of that, they created plenty of chances to put the game to bed.
Garnacho missed an open goal in added time and captain Bruno Fernandes could have bagged a brace had his efforts been better placed.
Fulham showed they can cause problems too as they consistently found space in behind and looked to hit United on the counter and did so effectively at times, but United's defence held strong.
Noussair Mazraoui played over 80 minutes and impressed at the back as he looked sharp. Matthijs de Ligt also made his debut and partnered Jonny Evans at the back as he replaced Harry Maguire, who was solid.
United will now travel to the south coast as they face Brighton before hosting Liverpool here on Sept. 1.
MORE: All the latest Man Utd news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Starting lineups:
Man United lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui — Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount — Amad, Fernandes, Rashford.
Fulham lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Leno (GK) — Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson —Pereira, Lukic, Smith Rowe — Traore, Muniz, Iwobi.
MORE: All the latest Man Utd news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Man United vs. Fulham live updates, highlights and commentary
FT: That's it! Zirkzee scored the winning goal for United and Old Trafford lets out a sigh of relief.
90 mins: There will be four minutes to play in added time. Can United hang on to their narrow lead?
87 mins: GOALLLLL! THE DEBUT MAN! It's Zirkzee who guides a sweet effort into the bottom left corner to fire United into the lead.
86 mins: The United crowd are getting frustrated here as another decision goes against Garnacho.
80 mins: Mazraoui and Maguire make way for De Ligt and Evans as Ten Hag freshens things up at the back. It was a solid display from the Moroccan this evening.
74 mins: What a block from Martinez! He prevents Fulham from taking the lead as Garnacho is caught on the ball up top and the Whites hit United with another counter.
73 mins: De Ligt has been warming up for around 20 minutes or so now but is still yet to come on.
70 mins: Pereira waved an imaginary yellow card to the official and picked one up himself in the process.
67 mins: Tackles are starting to come thick and fast as Fulham keep counter-attacking at pace but their latest is stopped by Maguire, who's been brilliant.
61 mins: The Dutchman is indeed on as he replaces Mason Mount. Garnacho also comes on to take the place of Amad.
58 mins: Zirzkee has been called by Ten Hag and he is preparing to come on.
56 mins: Mainoo drives an effort inches wide. United are pushing hard for the opener now.
53 mins: Huge chance for United as Rashford dribbles into the box and finds Mount but his effort rebounds off the goalkeeper and out for a corner.
46 mins: We're back underway at the Theatre of Dreams.
HT: Well that's it for the first half as United and Fulham head into the break goalless. The visitors will be hoping to find Adama down the right in space more often and Ten Hag will be desperate for his side to make the most of their play when in the final third.
42 mins: Casemiro sends another effort over the bar.
40 mins: Maguire is booked for simulation in the penalty area.
33 mins: It isn't quite working in attack for United as a lot of their play is breaking down in the final third.
27 mins: Casemiro is urged to shoot by the crowd, which he does, as Fulham allow him space but he blasts over the bar.
24 mins: The game's intensity levels have somewhat lowered in the last few minutes or so which is understandable given the start to this game.
18 mins: Mount is booked for a rash challenge as Fulham looked to hit United on the counter again.
13 mins: Tete with a curling effort from distance! Onana is forced into a terrific save to deny the visitors the lead.
7 mins: Well, we may just have seen Fulham's most dangerous weapon. That is Adama Traore and his insane pace down the right.
5 mins: Mazraoui starts on the right which means Dalot is the starting left-back for United. The new signing has been bright in these opening minutes.
1 min: Fulham kick the new Premier League season off!
5 mins before kickoff: The players are out! Kickoff is next.
15 mins before kickoff: De Ligt, Yoro, Zirkzee and Mazraoui have been introduced to the fans. Yoro was hobbling on crutches as he recovers from his metatarsal injury suffered in preseason.
30 mins before kickoff: United's team are out to warm up ahead of kickoff and the crowd warmly welcomes them onto the pitch.
1 hour 15 mins before kickoff: We have team news at Old Trafford!
- Man United lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui — Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount — Amad, Fernandes, Rashford.
- Fulham lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Leno (GK) — Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson —Pereira, Lukic, Smith Rowe — Traore, Muniz, Iwobi.
2 hours before kickoff: Manchester United's season kicks off at the Theatre of Dreams! Erik ten Hag's third season in charge, what will it have in store?
⏳ The countdown is over...
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
🔴 IT'S MATCHDAY! 🔴#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/d8I4oWKPhs
Man United vs. Fulham kickoff time
This Premier League match kicks off at 8pm local time in Manchester, England.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Fri, Aug 16 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Fri, Aug 16 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| UK | Fri, Aug 16 | 8:00 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Aug 17 | 5:00 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Sat, Aug 17 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Man United vs. Fulham lineups, team news
Ten Hag has decided that new signing Matthijs de Ligt is not fit enough to start, however, Noussair Mazraoui is. He may well have had no choice given United's injury crisis at left-back position and throws the Moroccan into the starting XI.
Amad Diallo started the Community Shield last week and keeps his place but it does see the goalscorer Alejandro Garnacho fall to the bench as Marcus Rashford starts in attack with Bruno Fernandes.
Mason Mount joins Casemiro in midfield with Kobbie Mainoo also starting.
Man United lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Mazraoui — Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount — Amad, Fernandes, Rashford.
Fulham have a fully fit squad and new midfield signing Emile Smith Rowe starts for the first time. He joins former United man Andreas Pereira in midfield.
Fulham lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Leno (GK) — Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson —Pereira, Lukic, Smith Rowe — Traore, Muniz, Iwobi.
Man United vs. Fulham live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions:
United States:
- TV channel: USA Network, UNIVERSO, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (Spanish language)
- Live stream: Fubo, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW
In the United States (US), the game will be available to watch and stream on UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network and UNIVERSO. The fans can also stream the game on Fubo, which is currently offering a FREE trial to new users.
Canada:
- TV channel: —
Live stream: Fubo TV Canada
This game is not available for live TV broadcast. Streaming options are available on fuboTV Canada, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers.
Australia:
- TV channel: —
Live stream: Optus Sport
This game is not available for live TV broadcast. Streaming options are available on Optus Sport, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers.
India:
- TV channel: Star Sports Select HD1, Star Sports Select 1
- Live stream: Disney+Hotstar
In India, the game will be available to watch live on TV Channels, Star Sports Select HD1, Star Sports Select 1. Fans can also stream the game on Disney+ Hotstar, for which they'll need a premium subscription to the platform.
UK:
- TV channel: Sky Sports Premier League
Live stream: NOW TV
This game is available for live TV broadcast on Sky Sports Premier League. Streaming options are available on NOW TV, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers.