Erik ten Hag hails Joshua Zirkzee after debut goal handed Man United three points in season opener… as he also explains why Jadon Sancho didn’t make the matchday squad
- Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench to score the winning goal for Manchester United
- Jadon Sancho was absent despite playing in last week’s Community Shield
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Erik ten Hag praised debuting Joshua Zirkzee, who came on as a substitute to lead Manchester United to victory in the season opener against Fulham.
Zirkzee came on with 30 minutes to go and scored the only goal of the game when he turned in a cross from Alejandro Garnacho in front of the Stretford End.
While Ten Hag was pleased that his £36.5million signing made a splash on his debut, he is keen to show him more as he looks to continue his exploits at Brighton next weekend.
“It doesn’t matter whether he is Dutch, English, Russian or South American, he is a Manchester United player,” Ten Hag said.
‘It’s really nice to score the winning goal as a striker in your first match.
Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench to score a late winner for Manchester United on his debut
Erik ten Hag has praised the impact of his summer signing Zirzkee after the striker’s crucial goal
‘I remember Rasmus Hojlund [scoring] in his first game (against Brighton) and then the VAR came to the conclusion. He was so frustrated. For [Zirkzee]I’m very happy for him, it will give him belief and the fans. It’s a very good start.’
Zirkzee has had to take it easy since joining from Bologna. He was an unused substitute in the Community Shield at Wembley last weekend as Ten Hag demanded more of him.
When asked what was so attractive about Zirkzee to bring him in this summer, Ten Hag replied: ‘He has so many qualities that we didn’t have and he showed that straight away.
‘He is very good in his linking up, his combinations. We have good attacking players and they can take advantage of this.’
What else he wants to see from Zirkzee, he added: ‘He has to get into the penalty area and score goals, that’s the most important characteristic of a striker.’
One player who was not in the matchday squad at all was Jadon Sancho, who had a difficult relationship with Ten Hag during his time at the club.
It was said that had been rectified in the summer, but his absence here after missing a penalty in the Community Shield raised eyebrows.
For Ten Hag, there is still a role for Sancho this season.
Ten Hag explained that Jadon Sancho was struggling with an ear infection this week
“First of all, we need a strong squad. This season it’s a matter of survival and I can only include 20 players in the squad,” he said.
‘Jadon had an ear infection this week and was not 100% fit.
‘He could play, but you have choices and you make the choice that we preferred other players on the bench. That can change and it will change.
“You saw today how important substitutions are. We need the right balance. It’s frustrating for the player, but it’s about the team, about the club. We expect players to fight for the club and everyone gets their minutes and they have to prove it.”