Erik ten Hag was right when he said Manchester United were “not ready” for the start of the new Premier League season.
The Dutchman’s comments before Friday’s curtain-raiser against Fulham might have raised eyebrows, but the performance produced by the Old Trafford side in their 1-0 victory proved him right.
And yet there was enough to hint at how United could develop this season. Entering their third season under ten Hag, Manchester United remain a work-in-progress, but progress is being made. Joshua Zirkzee’s winner three minutes from the end hit home this point, although there had been encouragement for the Red Devils before that.
Noussair Mazraoui enjoyed a strong Premier League debut. The Moroccan started at right back with Diogo Dalot on the left and gave United greater assurance on the ball. His physicality was also useful in defending open space against Alex Iwobi who was denied much of an influence on the game.
Lisandro Martínez’s return to the lineup after missing much of last season through injury also gave Manchester United greater aggression at the back. One particular duel with Adama Traoré in the first half demonstrated the Argentinean’s desire to defend his own box with the Fulham attacker jockeyed and ultimately dispossessed.
Kobbie Mainoo once again showcased why so many are excited about his future by wriggling out of tight spaces with the ball at his feet and providing Manchester United with cohesion in the centre of the pitch. Still only 19 years old, Mainoo is now being build around as one of the key pillars in ten Hag’s team.
Fulham could have done more to exploit a series of counter-attacking opportunities once the match started to stretch in the second half, particularly one that gave Alex Iwobi and Andreas Pereira a two-on-one against Harry Maguire, but United were worthy winners on balance even if it took them until the 87th minute to make the breakthrough and secure all three points.
In many ways, though, Manchester United resembled the team that suffered their worst-ever Premier League finish last term. They created chances, but failed to take most of them. That United finished with a single game Expected Goals (xG) of 2.51 but scored just once did nothing to suggest they have become sharper in front of goal since last season when they registered just 57 goals in 38 games.
Maybe Zirkzee will improve Manchester United’s attacking output, but the Netherlands international isn’t a centre forward. Instead, he is a Raumdeuter in the mould of Thomas Müller. He is in the team to find space in the final third, not lead the line. In this role, Zirkzee can be successful at Old Trafford.
With Rasmus Højlund expected to be out until October, Bruno Fernandes will most likely operate through the middle, as he did against Fulham. The Portuguese had opportunities to score in this position, but Manchester United lacked an attacking focal point for much of the match. It was a similar story last season when Højlund similarly struggled for fitness.
Casemiro showed a creative side to his possession play that saw him register four passes into the final third, three shots and an Expected Assists (xA) of 0.35. Still, though, the Brazilian was vulnerable in defensive transition and struggled to cope with the Fulham’s directness on the break. Long gone are the days when he was the safest security blanket in world football.
Of course, United are reportedly interested in Manuel Ugarte who could soon be installed as ten Hag’s first-choice anchor in his midfield unit, but is the Uruguayan the rhythm builder needed at Old Trafford? Manchester United had the majority share (55%) of possession against the Cottagers, yet so much of their possession play was laboured and predictable. Is there a player within their squad to change this?
It was no surprise that United were “not ready,” as ten Hag put it, for their opening Premier League fixture. Many of their players that featured at Euro 2024 were given extended time off. Mazraoui started despite having joined only a few days ago. It was the same for Matthijs de Ligt who was introduced in the second half against Fulham. Injuries haven’t helped Manchester United’ preparations either.
United must improve on Friday night’s showing if they are to enjoy a successful 2024/25 campaign, but this was a fixture they lost last season. Ten Hag has learned not to let perfection be the enemy of good – and a 1-0 win over Fulham was good enough. It certainly wasn’t a fast start, and it could prove to be a false start, but at the very least it’s a start.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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