Did Sky TV really have to pick Manchester United v Fulham for the match to launch the new season?
True, the equivalent fixture at the end of February provided an exhilarating contest where the visitors secured victory with a 97th minute goal ending United's unbeaten run. But an opener at Old Trafford has two particular memories for me – 1950 when my father took me on a very special excursion and 2001 when Louis Saha announced himself to the Premier League with a brace of immaculate goals. Ruud van Nistelrooy (two) and David Beckham may have outgunned the Whites on that latter occasion but most newspapers carried photos of the ecstatic Saha.
Now I have to add a third date, Friday 16 August 2024. Once more our heroes travelled to Old Trafford to give a good account of themselves and once more they came away without a point. The build-up to the match had been monopolised by Erik ten Hag and his players. Marco Silva and the Whites received scarcely a mention in the media but they soon showed they had no fear of the opposition. Adama Traore easily outpaced United's Lisandro Martinez but he planted his centre somewhere between Rodrigo Muniz and Alex Iwobi.
The first genuine effort on goal came surprisingly from Kenny Tete, celebrating his 100th appearance. As referee Rob James waved away one of the home side's frivolous appeals for a penalty Kenny broke free and let fly from 25 yards. A startled Andre Onana managed to flip the ball over the bar. At the other end Bernd Leno easily gathered a shot from Casemiro but later executed a poor clearance and had to make a last ditch save from Bruno Fernandes.
Harry Maguire, who had kept a tight rein on Rodrigo Muniz, could not resist performing an extravagant dive after contact with Emile Smith Rowe. Mr Jones gave Harry a yellow – or was it bronze? I hope the England international watched Match of the Day 2 to complete his embarrassment. The first half ended goalless with Leno slightly busier than Onana.
Fulham made a bright start to the second period but Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford produced the classiest move of the match up to that point. Yet again Leno blocked the final attempt. In response Muniz produced one of his overhead kicks, which nearly gave the Whites the advantage. Indeed the visitors should have scored when Iwobi and Andreas Pereira advanced on goal with only Maguire in their path, a wasted chance that proved costly.
Yet again it was the closing stages that decided the game ('Same story' as Silva put it). Traore had two shots blocked then the Whites won three successive corners to little effect so the head coach brought on Harry Wilson and Raoul Jimenez. He must have wished he could call on Willian, the sort of player most likely to break the deadlock. Ten Hag sent on Scott McTominay, who was greeted with shouts of 'He wants to play for us' from the travelling supporters.
In the 87th minute Fernandes ghosted past Tom Cairney and found substitute Joshua Zirksee in the centre. The United newcomer switched the ball to his right and ran forward to deflect Alejandro Garnacho's centre past Leno. Scott McTominay was well positioned too but Zirksee got in first, which was a small mercy. The Fulham defence looked slow to react though perhaps they were distracted by the wily Rashford.
Either side could have scored in the final moments but United held their narrow lead. Although Fulham's strengths and frailties were plain to see, things could have been different. If Muniz had scored with his overhead kick he would have shared the headlines with Joshua. Anyway, reinforcements may arrive before September.
Women's side scores six at the Cottage
Fulham Women were invited to begin their season with a game against Barking at Craven Cottage last Sunday and they responded with a six-goal victory. Some 1500 spectators enjoyed this sun-kissed treat and with a maximum admission price of £5 they all got more than their money's worth.
Megalie Mendes started the rout in the tenth minute with a curling centre that was nodded home by Becky Stormer. Almost immediately the lead doubled when Sophie Manzi scored from close range.
Amber Webber in the Fulham goal was underemployed, barely touching the ball in the first half. With Barking already defeated the game rather lost its impetus until well into the second period when Ellie Olds bundled the ball across the line from a corner.
Fulham players on the bench must have been dying to be called into action. When Ella Tagliavini got her opportunity she created a goal for Madi Parsonson and then dived to head Ellie Olds's centre past the beleaguered Darcie Salmons. A Barking own goal completed the tally.
What an impressive start to the season.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
