Manchester United took on Fulham in the Premier League curtain riser in a game that was of paramount importance to both teams. The Red Devils would have been keen on setting the tone with a solid display against the Cottagers to show that they mean business this summer.

Here was how we had predicted Erik ten Hag to set his team up for this game. The Dutch coach decided to make on change, opting to leave Matthijs de Ligt on the bench and instead handing a debut to Noussair Mazraoui which saw Lisandro Martinez return to his favoured centre-back role. Ten Hag lined up with a 4-2-3-1 on paper that morphed into a 4-2-2-2 on the field with Mount and Bruno as the false-nines.

Man Utd looked sloppy early on and took time to get accustomed to the game. They looked less sharper than they did against Man City. However, they settled into the game post the half-hour mark and dominated proceedings until half-time.

The second half started much like the first, with an end-to-end nature despite both teams not taking their chances. Man Utd were trying to force the issue leading to lesser control and more flair. Persistence paid off for the Red Devils who won this game 1-0.

Manchester United players ratings vs Fulham

GK | Andre Onana (7/10): Had one noteworthy save to make in the first 45. Made a few more good saves in the second half.

RB | Noussair Mazraoui (7/10): Started impressively. Neat, crisp display from the ex-Bayern man in the first 45. More of the same in the second half including a couple of inch-perfect tackles. AWB vibes, anyone?

CB | Harry Maguire (7/10): Booked for simulation in the 40th minute. Very good as a front-foot defender, winning the ball back up high. Brilliant last man defending to prevent Iwobi from reaching the ball. Taken off for Matthijs de Ligt in the 80th minute.

CB | Lisandro Martinez (6/10): Clever first half from the World Cup winner. Got beaten the first time by Adama Traore but held his ow

n ever since. Almost madea mistake that cost his team but was saved by Maguire. Redeemed himself with a last-ditch clearance later on. Not his best game but not bad either.

LB | Diogo Dalot (6/10): Tried to link up with Rashford down the left but not much came off. Had a good cross into the box that Hojlund would have loved to be at the end of. A few good blocks in the second half. Missed his usual influence going forward.

CDM | Casemiro (8/10): Provided a peach of a pass to Bruno. Seemed to have a ball magnet in his head during corners but skied two long-range efforts. Ran his lungs out in a throwback performance in the first half. Controlled the midfield beautifully even in the second half. MOTM.

CDM | Kobbie Mainoo (8/10): Often operated a single pivot with Casemiro dropping into the backline. Ran the show in midfield in the first half. Much like his teammates, had an opportunity to open the scoring. Solid display.

LW | Marcus Rashford (5/10): Largely anonymous throughout the first 45. Good run early in the second half. Looked much more defensively switched on than in previous campaigns. Not much else to write about.

CAM | Mason Mount (7/10): Looked like he wanted to get booked from the first minute and managed to succeed in the 18th. Solid first half otherwise dropping deep and linking up play with quick touches. Should have given Man Utd a lead early in the second half. Taken off in the 60th minute.

RW | Amad Diallo (5/10): Some trickery; some pace; not much to write about the first half. Afforded a start but did not take his chance in the 60 minutes on the pitch.

ST | Bruno Fernandes ^CAPTAIN (6/10): Made some good runs in the first half but failed to capitalize on guilt edge chances. Dropped into the #10 role following Zirkzee’s introduction. We’ve seen much better games from our skipper.

Substitutes:

Joshua Zirkzee <=> Amad Diallo (7/10): The Man Utd #11 came on for Diallo in the 60th minute. A couple of impressive touches. Scored in the 87th minute to cap-off his debut.

Alejandro

Garnacho <=> Mason Mount (7/10): Replaced Mason Mount at the hour mark. Had a couple of chances with his head and feet. Unlucky with the referee a couple of times. Provided the assist for Zirkzee’s goal. Missed an open goal in the dying minutes.

Matthijs de Ligt <=> Harry Maguire (N/A): Handed a run out by Ten Hag for the final 10+ minutes.

Jonny Evans <=> Noussair Mazraoui (N/A): Brought on for fresh legs in defence.

Scott McTominay <=> Kobbie Mainoo (N/A): Brought on for fresh legs in midfield.

What about Erik ten Hag?

Ten Hag showed courage with the starting XI, throwing Mazraoui in straight away and also persisting with pre-season star Amad Diallo. He also deployed the 4-2-2-2 that he has been trying to implement for quite some time now. His team looked the same, open, easy-to-bypass unit in the first 20 minutes but surely gained control to end the first half on the ascendancy. His substitutions paid off with Garnacho combining with Zirkzee to give Man Utd the only game of the game. A solid 8 for the gaffer.