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Premier League: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (AP)
Erik ten Hag said Manchester United have to be ‘more composed and kill teams’ after needing a late winner against Fulham in the Premier League.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said wasted chances remain a major concern after his side laboured to a 1-0 win over Fulham in their Premier League opener on Friday.
An optimistic Old Trafford crowd fell flat for much of the first game of the English top-flight season after watching their team struggle to create openings.
When they did present themselves, they were mostly squandered, until substitute Joshua Zirkzee netted a late winner on his debut.
“I think one area we have to get right is how to kill (games) in the box,” Ten Hag told reporters. “We saw it in the friendlies and last week against (Manchester) City (in United’s Community Shield loss).
“We created enough chances and should not to have wait for a late winner. We have to be more composed and kill teams.
“Maybe it is because it is the start of the season, players have to come into full speed. We have enough players with scoring abilities.”
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That late winner came via the boot of Dutch forward Zirkzee, stepping off the bench to convert a late Alejandro Garnacho cross.
“He (Zirkzee) had an injury at the end of his career at Bologna and he was not selected for the European Championship (for the Netherlands).
“We have to build up some deficits. He has some attributes we didn’t have and straight away he showed it.
“He is very good in his linking up combinations. We have some very good ball-playing combinations in the team. But he has to arrive in the box to score goals and he did that tonight. He is a Man United player and it is very good for a striker coming in and scoring his first goal.”
The Dutch striker poked out his left foot to guide home a cross by fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford.
Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna for a reported $47 million last month, was one of three offseason signings to make their first appearances for United, along with defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt.
“To win here in my first home game and to grab a goal, it couldn’t be better,” Zirkzee told Sky Sports.
“I’ve been told (scoring at the Stretford End) is one of the best feelings at Man United. I’m so thankful and blessed I could experience it in my first game. It’s an amazing feeling.
“Manchester United is a huge club. You should always strive for the best. It’s all good vibes,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
