Theatre of Dreams, Friday night, under the lights. What better way to start the 24/25 Premier League season, with Manchester United hosting Fulham at Old Trafford. Perfect instalment for our ‘Framed’ series.
With preseason preparations all complete it was time for the 20 Premier League clubs to get down to business this weekend as the 24/25 season started in earnest. The action got under way at Old Trafford on Friday night, with Manchester United welcoming Fulham, with both sides obviously wanting to get off to a positive start. But the rust of the off season was still present in both sides’ performances, and it was an unlikely hero who stepped up in front of the 73,511 fans to seal the three points.
23 year old Joshua Zirkzee joined United from Bologna this summer for £38m. The Dutchman was introduced into the game on the hour (cometh the hour and all that…) and having spurned some earlier chances, mostly through make-do forward, Bruno Fernandes, Zirkzee stuck out a leg from a Alejandro Garnacho cross to guide the ball home and secure the points. No Rasmus Hoijlund, no problem. Zirkzee certainly has a decent support network, with former United striker and fellow Dutchman, Ruud van Nistelrooy, on the coaching staff to lend his guidance.
That’s not to say that Fulham didn’t have their chances; Andre Onana tipping an early curling Kenny Tete effort over the bar as probably the best of the bunch. But it was United’s day, possibly not in the most convincing fashion, but they won’t care. Three points, job done.
Photography by @adidasfootball
