After making his debut for Manchester United, Joshua Zirkzees is the new hero for everyone with Man Utd tickets, having scored the winner against Fulham in the season opener. 

To the fans, despite this being the season’s first game, it feels like the club has found a decent striker. 

Zirkzee Debut – Utd Win!

It was all smiles at the end of 90 minutes when United closed their season opener with a win. 

More than the win, it was attention towards Joshua Zirkzee, who scored the winner for the season. 

Twenty-three years earlier, another Dutch forward did the same thing for United against the same opponents.

Zirkzee may not get close to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 150 goals in five seasons for the club, but given his fellow countryman has returned to United as manager Erik Ten Hag’s coaching assistant, there was shared delight in his smartly taken 87th-minute effort.

“It doesn’t matter if he is Dutch, English, Russian, or South American,” said Ten Hag. “It is Man United. He is a Man United player, and it is very good for a striker to come in and score his first goal.”

Ten Hag referenced the struggles of Rasmus Hojlund, his big-money striking purchase last season. He was 15 games into his Premier League career before finally finding the net against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

“Remember last season when Rasmus scored a first goal [against Brighton in his second game on 16 September], and we waited on the halfway line for two minutes before VAR decided the ball was over the [goal] line [before the cross]. It was very frustrating.”

On such fine margins can major moments turn.

Zirkzee’s goal sent most of those with Man UTD tickets into raptures. The noise did justice to the build-up of the £36.5m signing from the Italian side Bologna had been given.

“I’ve been told [scoring at the Stretford End] it’s one of the best feelings at Man United,” he said. “I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.

“It’s been amazing, it’s been a dream.”

Positives from the Pundits

The result also allowed for

a more reflective assessment from pundits who, as former United captains, seem to have spent so long being critical of their old club.

Gary Neville was delighted at the club’s overall sense of control and impetus, which comes from the presence of a new chief executive, Omar Berrada, and sporting director, Dan Ashworth.

“Man United need to be a serious football club, and it looks at least like that is happening,” Neville said.

“The prices are better. It was embarrassing in parts of last season and pathetic in certain games. Where they are now is a strong position. I feel more optimistic.”

Zirkzee’s display included a nonchalant celebration that matched the way he took the goal. He swept Alejandro Garnacho’s right-wing cross into the bottom corner with the minimum of fuss.

“It was a brilliant finish,” said Roy Keane. “He was neat and tidy in the link-up. United need to punish teams more, but they were a threat, and to score on your debut is huge.”

There was a complication around Zirkzee in the summer.

Ten Hag revealed that the 23-year-old ended last season with an injury that was going to rule him out of Euro 2024—only for further injuries to the Dutch squad to mean he was picked by Ronald Koeman anyway.

It meant Zirkzee had an extended break because he was not fit, and he had to be managed carefully when he did report for pre-season training. This is why he was on the bench throughout Manchester City’s Community Shield defeat at Wembley.

Now, all eyes will be on United as the fans with Man Utd tickets will watch on to see if the club could have a good opening round of games. 

Fans with Man Utd tickets know the real tester comes in a few weeks when the club plays Tottenham Hotspur, followed by arch-rivals Liverpool. 

But if United can get the two wins against Brighton and Southampton, it would be in a very good position to play the Spurs. 

Manuel Ugarte Deal Off? 

Manchester United has been tracking Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte for some time but is now having second thoughts about pursuing a move.

The Red Devils

have been one of the most active Premier League clubs in the transfer window this summer, with a handful of significant additions. They’ve signed forward Joshua Zirkzee from Serie A side Bologna and Lille centre-back Leny Yoro and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

United have parted ways with some players, including defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who joined West Ham. However, reports indicate further departures will be necessary if they’re to make any more significant additions before the transfer deadline.

PSG’s Ugarte is one name that continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer. He only joined the French club 12 months ago but is already the subject of transfer interest from the Premier League.

Despite United’s reported desire to sign the 23-year-old, they’ve yet to make any headway in negotiations. ESPN journalist Julien Laurens, an expert on French football, has explained why the Red Devils’ interest has subsided.

He added that the club had rejected two offers; interest has subsided in the last week, and United is looking for other options. 

He added that if Ugarte is available, the asking will be around 65 million pounds and if United had that much to spend for a defensive midfielder. 

United Want a Left Back

With a right-back and two centre-backs already signed, the left-back could be another position United looks to strengthen before the deadline. According to reports in Turkey, they are still in the mix for Fenerbahce’s Ferdi Kadioglu.

Outlet Takvim claims United is still in the running after having reportedly tabled an offer earlier in the week. However, league rivals Brighton appear to have the upper hand and have presented a more attractive offer for the player.