Manchester United 1-0 Fulham: Joshua Zirkzee impresses but there is still room for improvement as Erik ten Hag’s side still lack identity | Football News

A late goal from summer signing Joshua Zirkzee earned Manchester United a nervy 1-0 win over Fulham in their Premier League opener on Friday, but have Erik ten Hag’s side shown signs of turning a corner from last season?

Four new arrivals were paraded on to the pitch, including the stalwart Zirkzee, while members of the club’s revamped boardroom were also present at Old Trafford, but some family frustrations remained as Manchester United struggled to find their rhythm.

Vscek experts Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane gave their verdict on United’s squad and style of play as the third season of the Ten Hag era kicked off on Friday night…

Nev: Man Utd steady, not spectacular

Neville says he is optimistic that fans will see a new Manchester United this season, but that identity and recognisable style of play remains an issue under ten Hag.

“It was consistent and unspectacular,” he said. Vscek Football“They had to win and for most of the game it didn’t look like they were going to do it.

“It was essential that they won and the clean sheet was important. Defensively they will be better than last season and the team looks bigger and more crowded.

“It wasn’t spectacular football, but given how they performed tonight, I didn’t expect it.

“What Manchester United were crying out for all last season was a template, or a style of play to develop, where you knew there was consistency. I don’t think we’ll ever see a real Manchester United team until we see that.

“Overall it’s positive. For Zirkzee to come in and score the winning goal, having that kind of presence to fill in for Rasmus Hojlund when he’s not fit was important.”

Instinctive Zirkzee Shows Signs of Things to Come

It took Rasmus Hojlund 15 attempts to score his first Premier League goal last season, so United will be delighted that Zirkzee has started scoring straight away at Old Trafford.

And perhaps the young Dutch striker has given Premier League fans a taste of things to come. The penalty area is Zirkzee’s playground: he was among the top ten strikers for touches in the opposition box last season in Serie A and his finishing showed his instinctive side.

After the match, Erik Ten Hag revealed moves like his winner on Friday are what they are working on in training. “We have to work with him and he has to get into the box to finish. We want him to connect with the team and that’s why we bought him,” the Man Utd boss said.

The results of this field training work are already encouraging.

Bad news for Maguire: De Ligt and Mazraoui impress on debut

Ten Hag is looking to gel with his new squad and appointed Noussair Mazraoui as manager just days after his arrival from Bayern Munich.

The right-back looked tidy in possession and ended his debut with the highest passing percentage of any starter at 92%, while only Harry Maguire won more possessions in the middle third and at the back than United’s new No.3.

Former right-back Neville thought the defender had a “really good game”, but The Keanes He needs a little more convincing. “The level of play hasn’t been great,” he said. “Let’s not kid ourselves. He’s done the fundamentals well and looks like a decent athlete. He’ll be happy with the clean sheet.”

Meanwhile, Matthijs De Ligt was a late substitute, coming on for Harry Maguire with the score still 0-0. Neville and Carragheer both believe the Dutch centre-back will eventually supplant the English defender in Ten Hag’s starting team.

“It has to be De Ligt and Martinez. Harry Maguire probably won’t be first choice,” added Carragher.

Man Utd’s next six games