9
Manchester United took on Fulham on Friday night time to open the Premier League season at Previous Trafford.
The Pink Devils began with Andre Onana in purpose and Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez making up the centre half partnership, with new signing Matthijs de Ligt on the bench.
Noussair Mazraoui madde his debut beneath the Previous Trafford floodlights at proper again, whereas Diogo Dalot began on the left.
Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro fashioned the double pivot in midfield and Mason Mount stored his spot within the quantity 10 function.
The attacking trio was made up of Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, as soon as once more taking on a false 9 function, similar to at Wembley final Saturday.
Listed here are three issues we discovered from the opening day of the Premier League season.
United have to play with a quantity 9
The Pink Devils lastly addressed their lack of putting again up however an unlucky harm to Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua’s Zirkzee’s lack of pre-season meant that it was left as much as Bruno Fernandes to play up entrance.
The Portugal worldwide did uncharacteristically spurn a few golden probabilities when put one-on-one with the keeper however whereas the staff stored possession effectively, they appeared fairly timid in greater areas.
The dearth of point of interest up entrance was clear as the house facet recurrently discovered themselves in good attacking positions however neither Mount or Fernandes have been to be seen.
To be honest to the captain, he did make rather more of an effort to reach into the field however he was recurrently remoted and minimize a pissed off determine as he had no actual choices to move to.
Wastefulness continued within the second half as Mount did not convert one other gilt-edged probability.
Ten Hag lastly introduced on his new striker and regardless of a quiet introduction to life within the Premier League, he put his identify up in lights as he poked dwelling an actual striker’s end within the remaining couple of minutes to offer United a vital win.
United followers can be hopeful that Hojlund and Zirkzee can keep match and complement each other in an extended gruelling season and provides the staff a reference level up entrance they so desperately want.
Casemiro’s renaissance continues
The Brazilian veteran struggled immensely final 12 months however he has come again in a greater, leaner state this season.
Regardless of beginning in his regular spot within the double pivot, he recurrently discovered himself in attacking positions.
He had three headers from set performs, with one from a nook bouncing into the bottom and hitting the facet netting.
He additionally had a few photographs on purpose from outdoors the field that have been a lot much less harmful.
Casemiro confirmed off his passing vary, which has not at all times been so seen in a United shirt, when he adopted up a few good balls versus Manchester Metropolis with a pleasant ball for Bruno Fernandes that the Portuguese ought to have completed.
The previous Actual Madrid man continued to impress within the second half as he handled a few corners effectively and minimize out a harmful wanting assault with a trademark crunching deal with. He additionally confirmed his expertise as he went down beneath stress from a Fulham participant with solely two minutes to play in further time and gained a free kick that ate away essential seconds so his facet may maintain on to their lead.
With the Previous Trafford facet nonetheless pushing for a defensive midfielder, almost definitely Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro might discover himself fall down the pecking order but when he can contribute like he did tonight, there may be nonetheless very a lot a job for him in Ten Hag’s staff.
Stable Noussair Mazraoui debut
Zirkzee will earn a lot of the headlines as a result of his match profitable heroics however one other debutant quietly carried out beneath difficult circumstances.
Mazraoui solely arrived within the nation at the start of the week however he was thrown into the melting pot instantly as a result of United’s lack of full again cowl.
Many of the speak in regards to the Moroccan after his signing was in regards to the attacking risk he would carry to the facet, and whereas he did take up some good positions offensively, it was his defensive show that caught the attention.
He made an important block throughout the first quarter-hour that stopped a sure purpose and he was as soon as once more within the thick of the motion as he minimize out an Alex Iwobi cross early within the second half.
The 26 12 months outdated got here off after 80 minutes however whereas he’ll hope to be extra concerned as an attacking risk in video games to return, he can be mightily happy with how his first night time’s work in English soccer went.
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