Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag believes Joshua Zirkzee’s debut purpose will ‘strengthen the assumption’ after serving to them beat Fulham.
The Pink Devils opened the brand new Premier League season with a 1-0 victory towards the west Londoners at Outdated Trafford, with Zirkzee coming off the bench to attain within the closing 5 minutes.
The Dutch striker confirmed the world what he was all about with the purpose, first dropping into midfield to hyperlink play and transfer possession to the wing, earlier than arriving within the field to prod the ball into the underside nook with an outstretched toe.
Talking to Sky Sports activities post-match, Ten Hag was happy for his new multitalented ahead.
“Scoring for a striker is necessary and he needs to be the place he was, however he has extra qualities and he has to get the best steadiness – he must be arriving within the field to get the finishes, however we additionally need him to hyperlink up. We’ve some nice midfielders round him to make up mixtures,” Ten Hag stated.
“First recreation, however it’s good to strengthen the assumption. I’ve seen many areas the place we now have to enhance however that’s regular.”
Ten Hag was in a position to change the sport on Friday from the bench, which is a luxurious he was scarcely in a position to get pleasure from through the 2023/24 season because of United’s harm disaster.
“Subs are at all times necessary and it was good to see within the first recreation that you just deliver a sub on and he scores the winner,” he stated. “Everybody sees how necessary subs are and so they need to be prepared.
“In opposition to Fulham it’s at all times a troublesome recreation, however we defended and pressed very effectively. After 10 minutes we discovered our spell within the recreation and we stored them beneath strain. We created plenty of probabilities and we must always have scored earlier and that’s the solely criticism of the crew – kill within the field.
“Two season in the past [we had] essentially the most clear sheets within the Premier League. When we now have a constant again 4 we are going to defend correctly. If you do not have a constant again 4 the gaps will come.
“I do know Noussair Mazraoui like this. He is a good defender, however he’s very composed on the ball – he isn’t in full situation, when he will get 100% health he can do far more. He has to construct his health.”
