
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.
Mazraoui goes straight in for his first Man United start but de Ligt must settle for a place on the bench in the Premier League opener! ? pic.twitter.com/36N5jRumRr
— 90min (@90min_Football) August 16, 2024
Diogo Dalot is playing crosses in from the left in the warm-up, so he’ll be at left-back, which means Noussair Mazraoui on the opposite side #mufc
— Steven Railston (@StevenRailston) August 16, 2024
United’s other new signings – including the injured Leny Yoro – were paraded to the Old Trafford crowd following the warmups to a warm reception.
Welcome to your new home, lads ??#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/GRbqJp2fWc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
Leny Yoro on crutches as he and #mufc’s other new signings are introduced pic.twitter.com/0IfcnShsez
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 16, 2024
For Fulham, Emile Smith Rowe was handed a debut, and his former fans at Arsenal were wishing him the best of luck.
? Emile Smith Rowe makes his Fulham debut, starting against Manchester United in the opening Premier League match of the season at Old Trafford tonight. ?
Best of luck Emile — The Arsenal family is rooting for you! ?? pic.twitter.com/VRkCbdFWs1
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 16, 2024
Nothing would make for a better start to the Premier League season than Emile Smith Rowe scoring the winner against Man Utd.
— GoonerTalk (@GoonerTaIk) August 16, 2024
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.
Casemiro has rallied in the last ten. Thriving further forward than in his own third. Two perfect passes for Fernandes that should have been converted. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 16, 2024
Heard Casemiro is balling and Bruno Fernandes is dropping a stinker lmao
— Twilight (@the_marcoli_boy) August 16, 2024
Casemiro trying to get Bruno Fernandes to score a goal pic.twitter.com/LkT0qJxgRW
— Jacky (@MCFC_Jacky) August 16, 2024
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.
Harry Maguire diving. What a start to the Premier League season.
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) August 16, 2024
Someone let Harry Maguire know
that the Olympic gold for diving was already won last week.— Rebekka (@rebekkarnold) August 16, 2024
After the break, Zirkzee was brought on as part of a double substitution with Alejandro Garnacho which saw Mason Mount and Amad Diallo hooked.
Selling Mason Mount with one year left of his contract for £55m is one of the greatest things Clearlake have done. A robberies for the ages.
— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh) August 16, 2024
someone tell amad it’s a friendly, he might actually do something
— ity (@ity_0000) August 16, 2024
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.
I’m shaking my head Andreas Pereira pic.twitter.com/Pp7dAkmpqM
— luke (@louorns) August 16, 2024
Brazil calling up Andreas Pereira says a lot about the state of them.
— . (@tsnmknd) August 16, 2024
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.
Ladies and gentlemen: Joshua Zirkzee.#MUFC || #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/0Wmvj3D9CW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2024
Two Dutch strikers have scored on their Manchester United Premier League debuts — Joshua Zirkzee & Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Some serious talent on the current books at United. ?? pic.twitter.com/abrCga2mkI
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 16, 2024
On your Manchester United debut at Old Trafford, at the age of 23.
GOLDEN MOMENT FOR JOSHUA ZIRKZEE, HE IS HIM! pic.twitter.com/qJOKv6SNDq
— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) August 16, 2024
Some people (mainly rival fans) would say it was written in the stars.
Joshua Zirkzee “Welcome to Manchester United” 88th minute winner is too scripted.
— ? (@TheFalseNein) August 16, 2024
so obvious this game stinks of 1-0 utd win with a zirkzee goal & a “welcome to the premier league” shout from the commentator ffs
— wp (@_wingplay) August 16, 2024
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.
The Bassey clearance, the Rashford pass, the Garnacho finish. Maybe the worst sequence of play this sport has ever witnessed.
— Sanjay (@nufcsanjay) August 16, 2024
Great sportsmanship from Garnacho there to help Bassey out
— Ben Griffis (@BeGriffis) August 16, 2024
Alas, the three points belonged to United regardless.
Erik ten Hag’s men are top of the league.
In his three most recent competitive games Ten Hag has had United at Wembley twice, won a Cup and got them top of the league.
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) August 16, 2024
WE ARE TOP OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
— Harry Pinero (@harrypinero) August 16, 2024
TOP OF THE LEAGUE. ?? pic.twitter.com/itVhS7TDUx
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) August 16, 2024
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