In a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, Manchester United managed to edge past Fulham, with the only goal coming from debutant Joshua Zirkzee.
The young Dutch striker, who was signed in the summer, made an immediate impact by scoring the decisive goal that secured all three points for the Red Devils. However, it wasn’t just the goal that caught the eye of United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Speaking after the match, Fernandes, who has often been the star of the show, made a surprising revelation about who he believed deserved the Man of the Match award.
“To me, he deserves the Man of the Match award today because that is what we have been missing for long now,” Fernandes said with enthusiasm. “His performance brought a spark and energy that we’ve needed in the squad.”
The player in question was none other than Joshua Zirkzee. The 22-year-old striker, who had been on the radar of several top European clubs, made his debut in the starting lineup and wasted no time in making his presence felt.
His goal, a cool and composed finish after a brilliant through ball from Fernandes himself, was a testament to his potential and ability to deliver under pressure.
Zirkzee’s performance was a breath of fresh air for Manchester United, who have struggled to find a consistent goal scorer in recent seasons.
The Dutchman’s movement, intelligence, and work rate were all on display, giving United fans a glimpse of what could be a promising future with him leading the line.
“Joshua was fantastic today,” Fernandes continued. “It’s not easy to come into a team like Manchester United and make an impact right away, but he showed great composure and awareness.
He didn’t just score the goal; he worked hard, linked up play, and did everything we needed from a striker.”
The match itself was a tense affair, with Fulham proving to be stubborn opponents.
Despite dominating possession, United struggled to break down Fulham’s defense until Zirkzee’s moment of brilliance. His goal in the 87th minute came as a relief to the home fans, who had been eagerly anticipating a breakthrough.
Fernandes’ comments highlight the importance of Zirkzee’s debut not just as a goal scorer but as a player who brought much-needed dynamism to United’s attack.
The Portuguese star, who has been a vocal leader both on and off the pitch, emphasized the impact Zirkzee had on the team’s overall performance.
As United looks to build on this victory, the emergence of Joshua Zirkzee as a potential key player is a significant boost.
For now, the young striker has already earned the respect and admiration of his captain, Bruno Fernandes, who sees in him the qualities that Manchester United have been missing for too long.
