Joshua Zirkzee marked his Premier League debut with a last-minute winner for Manchester United, echoing the exploits of Dutch legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, who achieved a similar feat against the same opponents 23 years ago.
Zirkzee’s decisive strike in the 87th minute not only secured a vital three points for United but also captivated a raucous Old Trafford crowd, celebrating the arrival of their new £36.5 million signing from Bologna.
Zirkzee’s goal brought a sense of euphoria reminiscent of Van Nistelrooy’s prolific tenure, a time when Dutch forwards reigned supreme at the club. United’s current manager, Erik ten Hag, who played alongside Van Nistelrooy for the Dutch national team, expressed his delight at Zirkzee’s performance. “It doesn’t matter if he is Dutch or English or Russian or South American,” Ten Hag stated. “He is a Man United player, and it is very good for a striker to come in and score his first goal.”
The manager also took a moment to reflect on the challenges faced by his previous striking acquisition, Rasmus Hojlund, who experienced a lengthy wait for his debut goal last season. “Remember last season when Rasmus scored his first goal after a frustrating wait,” Ten Hag noted, highlighting the fine margins that can define a player’s journey.
Zirkzee’s entrance onto the pitch was met with high expectations, and his curated performance delivered on them. With a confident finish that swept Alejandro Garnacho’s right-wing cross into the bottom corner, the young forward showcased his potential to become a key figure in United’s attacking lineup. “I’ve been told [scoring at the Stretford End] is one of the best feelings at Man United,” Zirkzee reflected post-match. “I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.”
The match result allowed pundits to reflect positively on the progress at Manchester United, a team that has often faced scrutiny from its former captains. Gary Neville expressed optimism over the club’s renewed direction under new leadership, including CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth. “Man United need to be a serious football club, and it looks like that is happening,” Neville commented. “The prices being paid for players seem to be better. Where they are now is a strong position, and I feel more optimistic.”
Former United midfielder Roy Keane lauded Zirkzee’s standout debut, praising his poised finish and overall contributions to the team’s performance. “It was a brilliant finish. He was neat and tidy in the link-up. United need to punish teams more, but they were a threat,” Keane remarked.
While Zirkzee’s path to his debut was filled with obstacles, including an injury that nearly saw him miss the Euro 2024 tournament, Ten Hag was pleased with his recovery and integration into the squad.
“He has some attributes we didn’t have, and he showed it. He is very good in linking up combinations—but he has to arrive in the box to score goals. That is what he did today,” Ten Hag praised.
