Joshua Zirkzee has hailed a “perfect” debut for Manchester United after coming off the bench to score a late winner against Fulham.
United won their opening Premier League game 1-0 at Old Trafford after the Dutchman came off the bench to score in the 87th minute.
It was Zirkzee's first appearance for United since his £36.5 million ($47.3 million) summer move from Bologna and it couldn't have gone better.
“It's perfect, isn't it?” Zirkzee told the BBC.
“Against the Stretford End. And with a win on top of that, it couldn't be better.
“It's been very good [since I arrived]”Zirkzee continued. “The group has been amazing, I feel very comfortable and at home here. I'm having a great time.
“Of course it's a big club, but we work hard every day and focus on what we want to achieve, which is to give our best. I don't feel much pressure at the moment.”
It looked like it could be a frustrating night for United and manager Erik ten Hag after a series of missed chances.
Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount missed chances before Zirkzee came on as a second-half substitute but eventually found a way past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno with a smart finish at the far post from Alejandro Garnacho's cross.
“The victory is very satisfying,” ten Hag told the BBC.
“Starting the season with a win is always important. We are not ready as a squad, as a team, many players are not in top form. We have only had 10 days with this team training together. I expect more from this team, but we have a base on which we can build.”
Ten Hag also clarified why Jadon Sancho was left out of the squad for the match against Fulham.
The 24-year-old has reintegrated after falling out with Ten Hag last season and played a full part in United's pre-season tour of the US.
But he was left out of the squad on Friday night when Ten Hag revealed he had been affected by an ear infection in the build-up to the game.
“First of all, we need depth in the squad,” said the United manager.
“This is going to be a season of survival of the fittest and I can only put 20 players in the squad. Jadon had an ear infection during the week. He wasn't 100% fit.”
“I could play, but I make decisions and I prefer other players on the bench,” ten Hag continued. “That can and will change this season.”
“You see how important the changes are. Sometimes it's frustrating for the player, but it's a question of the team, of the club. We have a lot of games to play.”
