Game Review
First game of the season and it is Zirkzee time now. There are some things to
work on but I would say that it was mostly positive. We only had one of new signings
playing, that being Mazraoui, however he did have a great game. Zirkzee came on and
scored a game winner. Which is great for him and the team. Its always good to get that
first goal monkey off your back. De Ligt also came on but we didn’t really see anything
from him. I would like him start vs Brighton next Saturday though. 1-0 isn’t a huge win
and that’s how we started off our season last year but there were some major
differences. That game against Wolves was terrible and we were lucky to come out with
any points let alone 3. Wolves should have a penalty and out shot and out played us the
whole game. This time vs Fulham however it was an entirely different story. We out
played and out shot Fulham the whole game and could have easily won 4 or 5-0 if we
finished our chances. Not finishing our chances is a big concern for me but for this game
I will chalk it up to plays getting back to match fit. So even though it was only a 1-0 vs
Fulham its always good to start with a win and there was lots of positives.
Erik Ten Hag
The first game of the season for Erik Ten Hag with his new coaching staff, so a great
chance to show what they can. I thought that he made some pretty good decisions and
with the team sheet and subs. Although there are a few things that confused me. First
off, why has Garnacho not started over Amad or Rashford. He came on in the
Community Shield and scored our only goal. Then today he came on and got the assist
on the winning goal. So to me it makes no sense why he has not started. The only thing
that I can think of is that he is not match fit. He did play in the Copa final and then went
on vacation so maybe he wasn’t fit enough to start. If he doesn’t start vs Brighton I will
start to raise concern. Another confusing thing to me was Johnny Evans and Scott
McTominay coming on as subs. Listen I have no problem with them as players but it just
seemed the same as last season. Erik Ten Hag always likes to bring on McTominay and I
think that he needs to see other options. I would have loved to see Toby Collyer come
on instead of him, but we still got the win. Now I do know that Maguire picked up and
knock and had to come off but I think that Mazraoui should have stayed and just De Ligt
come on. Johnny Evans is 37 years old now, and wasn’t good enough to play for United
in his prime. So I always get nervous when I see him come on at the end of games. Even
though I had some concerns we still got the win so I don’t have much to complain about.
Player Ratings
Staring Lineup
Andre Onana 7/10
Pretty solid game from Onana today. Good distribution as always, mad some good
claims. Made a pretty good save on Tete early on. He didn’t really have much to do
though. He didn’t really have to make any tough saves so I think a 7 is fair.
Mazraoui 7.5/10
What a debut from Mazraoui. He came into the squad having only trained with them for
a couple days and put in a performance like that. If he continues like this he could be a
steal of a signing at 15 million. Good game though, played it safe with the passes and
good interceptions on defense and a good slide tackle in the box.
Harry Maguire 6/10
Harry Maguire starts off his season with a good performance. Its not that I think
Maguire didn’t play good because he did. He just can’t play the United and Ten Hag want
to play. He isn’t able to to play a high line but he played a good game.
Lisandro Martinez 6.5/10
Licha to start off the season played a great game. Now I think he could have played
better but there are two factors why he didn’t. First he is a high line defender and he
can’t play a high line with Maguire. Second he is probably not match fit yet. Great first
game for him though
Diogo Dalot 7/10
Diogo Dalot’s new nickname is Mr. Consistent. He seems to never have a bad game, and
here was another good game from him. Again first game so there was some things to
work on. Like the passes were a bit off, but he played a good game to start the season.
Casemiro 8/10
I honestly don’t know what to say here. That is now two good games in a row from
Casemiro. Two weeks ago I was so upset that we were going to have to keep Casemiro,
but now if he keeps this up it will be great to have him. His game today was great, good
passes, good tackles, but just needs to keep the shots down.
Kobbie Mainoo 8.5/10 ★
What a start to the season for the 19 year old Mainoo. He looked great on both ends in
the first half. He did look a bit tired in the second half, but again first game of the
season. For that performance he gets the Man Of The Match.
Marcus Rashford 6.5/10
Not a terrible game for Marcus Rashford today. He was tracking back and made a good
pass to Mount and Garnacho that should have been goals. Although he did end up given
the ball away a lot so that’s why his rating is low. I feel like Zirkzee helps Rashford a lot
as well. We are not hating on Rashford, we just expect a lot from him because we know
what he is capable of.
Mason Mount 5.5/10
Mason Mount starts the first game of the season not well. He didn’t get very involved in
the play and missed that sitter from Rashford. Then he got subbed of for Zirkzee who
immediately scored. Not a great game form Mount.
Amad Diallo 6/10
After all this time and everyone crying about how Amad needs to start. Now he gets the
start and it was underwhelming. He wasn’t bad, but he did try to do too much and
wasn’t playing it simple. He seemed like he wanted to prove and point and didn’t.
Bruno Fernandes 6.5/10
The captain Bruno Fernandes had an up and down game. He played pretty bad in the
first half and missed two big chances. Then he was much better in the second half.
Would have gotten a higher rating if he was consistent throughout the whole game.
Substitutes
Joshua Zirkzee 8/10
Could you even ask for a better debut from him? Scored a last minute winner at Old
Trafford. Besides that goal too, he was great. He was getting involved in the build up
play, which offers us something that Hojlund doesn’t. Great debut from Zirkzee.
Alejandro Garnacho 7.5/10
Why is Garnacho not starting. He always makes things happen when he is out there.
Anyways he played a great game and provided the assist to Zirkzee. He would have
been higher but he missed that goal. Good assist to Zirkzee though.
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