Leading up to Manchester United’s opening Premier League fixture against Fulham, manager Erik ten Hag had clearly expressed his side needed more time to gel after what was an unconventional pre-season.
“We have not had the kind of pre-season where you can work on the team for five or six weeks – it’s very complicated,” Ten Hag told the media.
“We had the USA tour squad, and then we added the players at the Euros and Copa America, and now the new signings. Now we have to make a team from it. That team is not ready, but the league starts and there are more managers that have this problem.”
Erik ten Hag. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Ten Hag’s concerns were valid, especially in the opening stages of their opening hitout against Fulham where the Red Devils looked shaky and devoid of creative spark. However as the game wore on, you could begin to see the patterns of play the Dutchman wants his side to play.
Despite all the good movements and flurries of chances, it was not until three minutes from time that United managed to break the deadlock through new signing Joshua Zirkzee.
The 22-year-old striker who joined from Bologna for $70 million, worked his way in between a hoard of Fulham bodies to side-foot Alejandro Garnacho’s cross neatly into the bottom corner.
Speaking after the match, the United boss was pleased for his new signing but was also confident that his talented forward has more room to grow, stating on Sky Sports, “he has more qualities” but “has to get the balance right”.
The goal was very much an important one, not just for the three points, but to keep the criticism quiet for at least another week. In reality, the game should have been over long before Zirkzee’s goal given the amount of quality chances United were generating.
Ten Hag’s men ended the game with 14 total shots, five of them being on target. Of those 14 shots United took, they were able to generate four big chances. The men in red were unable to put any of those opportunities away with the usually reliable Bruno Fernandes fluffing his lines twice and Garnacho summing up the day with an open-goal miss shortly after United had gone 1-0 up.
Considering most of the key personnel that started are just getting back into the swing of things, the lack of a finishing touch can be swept under the carpet in the meantime.
For Ten Hag, this performance would have been more of what he was expecting when he decided to take the prestigious Manchester United job. The style and substance were there for chunks of the game but it can be argued that the most impressive thing to take out of this performance would have been the defensive solidity.
Harry Maguire’s return to form has been one of feel-good stories with the former Manchester United captain again proving a commanding presence in defence. Maguire made five clearances and two interceptions but was also instrumental in United playing out from the back, ending the game with 47 accurate passes.
Another player who had a down year in 2023 was veteran holding midfielder Casemiro who also looked to return to his best in United’s season opener. The 32-year-old was back defending with confidence, completing six recoveries and winning seven duels.
However, what stood out the most about the Brazilian’s performance was his willingness to enter the attacking phase, taking three shots at goal as well as creating three chances. He could consider himself unlucky not to have had an assist to his name as Fernandes failed to convert his marvellous through ball.
To no surprise, as soon as United began to do sensible business on the transfer front again, the team has only started reaping benefits. With many changes to the club structure as well as the team, it may take some time to build up to full capacity, but the signs shown to start season 2024/25 were promising and will keep United fans optimistic.
Ten Hag understands his side is still a work in progress to get back to competing against the very best but the process has not looked as clear or as exciting as this in a while.
“First game, but it is good to strengthen the belief. I have seen many spaces where we have to improve but that is normal,” said Ten Hag post-game.
Manchester United face Brighton next up for an away trip at the Amex on the August 24.
