How can you have a player of His class on bench and decide to start this calamity player”, Rio Ferdinand blast Ten Hag for Benching £60m man united player again yesterday

There are still a lot of questions concerning Erik ten Hag when Manchester United plays Fulham at Old Trafford in the opening game of the 2024–25 Premier League season. The Dutchman is making an effort to justify the board’s decision to keep him as manager, and the Community Shield loss to Manchester City was not a good place to begin.

The Red Devils have recruited Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui of Bayern Munich since that loss, but questions remain over transfer objectives and if this window has been long enough to address some of the team’s evident problems. Fulham’s preseason has also been mixed; they signed Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal for a record-breaking amount but also lost their dependable midfield player Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich.

Giving high fives to everyone as he walks around the Old Trafford field, Erik ten Hag exudes confidence that his team has luck on their side this evening. Fulham looked to be the team most likely to break the deadlock after dominating the second half, but Joshua Zirkzee scored his debut goal late in the game to grab the lead.

At Old Trafford, there is still one minute remaining. Lisandro Martinez throws as one might anticipate—slowly.

How could Manchester United have squandered this chance? After a terrible error by Calvin Bassey, Alejandro Garnacho appears to have to sweep home as Marcus Rashford approaches the front door. But the pass forces Garnacho to check, and he absolutely flubs his shot, opening the goal!

Joshua Zirkzee scores in his Premier League debut, which is amazing!

An exciting time for Manchester United’s new striker! He drops deep to create an option and then contributes to the build-up by sending a couple teammates up the right. Undoubtedly unaware that the cross would find him somewhat retracted, he slips into the box and opens his left boot in anticipation of its arrival.

As his diversion surpasses Bernd Leno to his right, an agitated crowd finds late life. It’s Manchester United in the lead!