Joshua Zirkzee was the standout player for Manchester United by scoring the winning goal against Fulham. However, Noussair Mazraoui also made an impression, debuting in the starting lineup just a day after his transfer. Erik ten Hag explained why he chose to start Mazraoui but did not have Matthijs de Ligt and Zirkzee debut from the kickoff.
"It's not about allowing them to debut, but both had a limited preseason," the Dutch coach explained, referring to the two defenders who recently joined from Bayern Munich.
"Matthijs de Ligt hasn't played any matches during the preseason, and we have several options in the center of defense, so I felt it was best to manage his integration carefully. On the other hand, we have fewer choices in Mazraoui's position as right-back, which made his immediate inclusion in the starting lineup more necessary." This decision was also influenced by the recent sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham United, leaving a gap in the right-back position, while Diogo Dalot was temporarily shifted to cover at left-back.
Joshua Zirkzee, who had been on the bench for the full ninety minutes during the Community Shield match against Manchester City, made an immediate impact when he was brought on as a substitute in the Premier League opener. Ten Hag expressed his satisfaction with the young striker's debut: "It's great to debut like that. Joshua has only just joined the squad; he was training here alone while the rest of the team was still on tour in the United States. Despite this, he's now training with us and doing exceptionally well. He's integrating quickly, gaining fitness, and he was crucial for us today."
The Dutch manager was visibly pleased with how the team kicked off their Premier League campaign, thanks to Zirkzee's decisive goal. "Starting the season with a win, especially after a complicated preseason, is very satisfying," Ten Hag remarked. "When you consider the performance and, of course, the result, yes, I'm pleased. I'm also proud of the spirit and fighting mentality the team showed. It's a positive start, and we can build on this moving forward."
This victory sets a promising tone for Manchester United as they aim to challenge for titles this season, and Ten Hag's careful management of new signings and existing squad members highlights his strategic approach to achieving that goal.
