Manchester United vs Fulham Player Ratings: Zirkzee wins it late

Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench for his competitive Man Utd debut - and it was a dream first appearance as he scored the winner versus Fulham

 
9:12pm on Friday 16th August 2024
By
Martin Macdonald

Manchester United had to rely on a late winner from Joshua Zirkzee to claim all three points in their Premier League opener against Fulham.

It was a fairly balanced game throughout, as United enjoyed more possession and the better chances to score, while Fulham looked dangerous on the counterattack.

Marco Silva's side set themselves up happy to settle for a point in the last 10 minutes but were left disappointed as Zirkzee stuck out a leg to direct a cross home into the bottom corner, having played a part in the build-up.

Player of the Match

This week, Kobbie Mainoo was compared to one Zinedine Zidane by Man Utd legend Paul Scholes and although the youngster didn't hit Zizou's heights tonight, he was the best player on the pitch.

Kobbie Mainoo
DM, M (C) - Man Utd - 19 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
84'
8.0
Aug 16, 2024
84Minutes played
3Tackles won
5Interceptions
15Final third passes
4Dribbles
13Duels won
3Tackles won
6Ball recovered

While United struggled to keep things composed at times, he did his job superbly in the middle of the pitch, contributing both in attack and defence.

He sent 15 passes into the final third going forward and completed three dribbles, while he marshaled the central area with 13 duels won, six ball recoveries and five interceptions.

Worst Player

To be fair to Mason Mount, he was played out of position as a False 9 but that wasn't really an excuse for his inept outing.

He completed zero crosses and zero dribbles up top. One ball recovery isn't a good look either and he probably should have scored with a close-range strike that was saved by Bernd Leno.

Mason Mount
AM, M (C) - Man Utd - 25 yrs
61'
5.8
Aug 16, 2024
61Minutes played
0Interceptions
0Dribbles
1Ball recovered
0Big chances
73Successfull passes %
27Touches
0Crosses

Mount looked out of place in the final third and although he will see this campaign as a fresh start, the Old Trafford faithful will start to lose patience if he doesn't start delivering with these starting XI berths.

Other Playesr

Bruno Fernandes received a 7.1 rating tonight but that doesn't tell the full story as he should have scored at least two goals in the first half. Twice he was denied by Leno with strikes from inside the box.

Leno was a busy boy for Fulham and made four key saves to earn a 6.8 rating.

Though Mount was the worst player, the next seven worst players on the pitch were statistically Fulham players, so Man Utd probably deserved their victory.

Click HERE FOR FULL PLAYER RATINGS

Latest news

Manchester City vs Brentford Player Ratings: Erling Haaland CANNOT Stop Scoring

Erling Haaland steps up once again for a Manchester City side that somehow found themselves behind after a minute of play.

  • 35 minutes

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Shock result gives Arne Slot a Premier League rude awakening

Arne Slot got the first shock of his career as Liverpool manager, with Nottingham Forest pulling off a huge shock win.

  • 58 minutes

West Ham Player Ratings vs Fulham: Hammers get very late Danny Ings equaliser

West Ham were able to grab an extremely late equaliser against Fulham after what was a very lacklustre performance all-round.

  • 1 hour

Crystal Palace Player Ratings vs Leicester: Eagles win back point despite bang average showing

Here are our player ratings for the Crystal Palace vs Leicester Premier League game that took place at Selhurst Park in the 24/25 season.

  • 1 hour

Ipswich Player Ratings vs Brighton: Tractor Boys get big point on the road

Ipswich Town were able to pick up a big point on the road against a Brighton side that are chasing for Europe again this year.

  • 1 hour

Manchester United vs Southampton Player Ratings: Dominant Reds finally secure first big win of the campaign

Manchester United were able to secure their first big win of the season against a Southampton side that looked doomed to relegation already.

  • 3 hours

Most read