'Blessed' Joshua Zirkzee gets debut goal in Man United win over Fulham

Joshua Zirkzee marked his debut for Manchester United by coming off the bench and scoring an 87th-minute goal to give his team a 1-0 victory over Fulham on the opening night of the Premier League season on Friday.

The Netherlands striker poked out his left foot to guide home a cross by fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna for a reported $47 million last month, was one of three offseason signings to make their first appearances for United, along with defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt.

"To win here in my first home game, and to grab a goal, it couldn't be better," Zirkzee told Sky Sports.

"I've been told [scoring at the Stretford End] is one of the best feelings at Man United. I'm so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It's an amazing feeling.

"Manchester United is a huge club. You should always strive for the best. That includes day by day giving 100%, that's the plan. It's all good vibes."

With Zirkzee not fully match sharp and Rasmus Højlund injured, United started the season without an out-and-out striker on the field and it showed, with midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount wasting the best opportunities in a game that was petering out before Zirkzee's late intervention.

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno came to his team's rescue, saving twice at the feet of Fernandes in one-on-one chances then getting down sharply to deny Mount from close range in the second half.

Leno had no chance with Zirkzee's shot in front of the Stretford End, however, and Garnacho squandered a great chance to make it 2-0 in stoppage time when he dragged a shot wide in front of an empty goal.

"That's the only criticism I have of the team," Ten Hag said. "To kill. Kill in the box."

Mazraoui played 81 minutes at right back -- and was one of United's better players, along with Casemiro -- before being replaced by De Ligt, three days after they both joined from Bayern Munich. Zirkzee entered in the 61st.

On Saturday, there are six more games in the league's first round, including Liverpool -- under a new manager in Arne Slot -- at promoted Ipswich and Arsenal -- the runner-up in the last two seasons -- hosting Wolverhampton.

Reigning champions  Manchester City begins their title defense at Chelsea on Sunday.

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.