To me He deserves the Man of the match award today because that is what we have been missing for long now”, Bruno Fernandez reveals the only Man United player that gave Him joy in today’s victory against Fulham
Manchester United’s pre-season hype almost fell to a dull stalemate with Fulham – but Joshua Zirkzee’s late winner put them top of the Premier League momentarily with a late winner in a 1-0 curtain raiser.
The Red Devils started brightly with their play but it was Fulham who had the first chance when Adama Traore burst away from Noussair Mazraoui on the right flank, but his cut-back chance was feeble. United turned the gas on and despite a couple of flash Casemiro chances going awry, Bruno Fernandes had two one-on-one chances to open the scoring.
His first strike should have been buried but Bernd Leno was equal to his challenge, and the German was more than capable when he repeated the process just five minutes later. United weren’t at their best; a huge amount of sloppy passes didn’t help their cause and it was quite difficult for them to build an attack without a Fulham mistake.
They turned the tide slightly in the second half with Mason Mount going close, though Leno once again was alert and the score remained goalless. Joshua Zirkzee was introduced on the hour to add creativity with United failing to muster much – and Fulham blew a superb opportunity when Andreas Pereira burst through the United defence but couldn’t quite thread Alex Iwobi through.
It was a gutsy battle until the end with chances for both teams – and Zirkzee clinched it at the death with a clever flick that beat the unfortunate Leno all ends up to register a huge win on opening weekend.
Andre Onana – 7/10
Outstanding save to deny Tete early on. The Cameroonian was one of United’s best players last season and that looks to be the same this season. Whether United fans like it or not, he is a huge upgrade on David de Gea.
Diogo Dalot – 6/10
One of United’s better players last season, the Portuguese star was steady at left-back with Luke Shaw injured and Tyrell Malacia still out. Not too much going forward in an attacking sense but Alex Iwobi was quiet all game and that was down to his defensive qualities.
Harry Maguire – 7/10
Won a few aerial duels and lead the defence vocally. The England star missed out on the Euros owing to injury but he was back to his best on a tetchy night at Old Trafford – he won’t want to see his dive back though.
Lisandro Martinez – 6/10
Marshalled the defence and saw off the physicality of Traore quite well. ‘The Butcher’ was a huge miss for United last season and if he can continue this form throughout the season it will be of huge benefit to to Ten Hag.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10
Burned for pace by Adama Traore early on but grew well on his debut. Not the easiest opponent for him to face but he dealt with the speedster well.
Casemiro – 6/10
Flashed a header over early on. A couple of wayward passes looked as though he would suffer the same fate as last season’s sour campaign but he gradually grew into the game despite a few poor murmurs in terms of attempts on goal.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7/10
Tidy as ever in possession, and he’ll be a huge bright spark for United over the course of the future. A real livewire to watch this year.
Mason Mount – 6/10
Booked early on for halting Emile Smith Rowe when he was driving forward. Didn’t quite look up to the standard but with all of that time out last season, it could take him a bit of time to get to scratch. Not his worst performance by any means but he is capable of much more – as noticed by his close-range miss
Amad Diallo – 5/10
Quite a surprise inclusion with Antony having been ahead of him for the majority of last season but he didn’t quite take the bull by the horns. More will be needed if he is to nail down the starting berth.
Bruno Fernandes – 6/10
Didn’t seem to be his day with two huge chances going begging. Bernd Leno got down well to save both of his one-on-one chances and playing in the false nine role didn’t seem to be fruitful at all. Playing behind Zirkzee or Hojlund should see him back to his best.
Marcus Rashford – 5/10
Largely unnoticeable in a season of redemption. The England snub has given him reason to get back to his best but barring setting up Mount’s chance, he couldn’t get into the game and the majority of United’s play came through Fernandes.
SUB – Joshua Zirkzee – 7/10
Well received coming on and that late, late winner will do him the world of good in getting into the Old Trafford good books. Exactly what he was signed for.
SUB – Alejandro Garnacho – 6/10
Came on for the underwhelming Diallo and made the world of difference with his late assist. Arguably United’s best winger at present but a minus point for his late howler of a miss.
SUB – Jonny Evans – 5/10
Brought on to replace Harry Maguire and did a decent job.
SUB – Matthijs de Ligt – 5/10
Brought on to force Martinez into left-back. Decent cameo.
SUB – Scott McTominay – 4/10
