Emmanuel Petit claims Manchester United star was ‘lucky’ with dream debut

After scoring the winner off the bench in his Manchester United debut, Joshua Zirkzee is the talk of the town.

It was the perfect introduction for Zirkzee. Scoring a winner in the Premier League curtain-raiser at Old Trafford against Fulham. The stuff of dreams, fittingly at the Theatre of Dreams.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Petit is one of many pundits to air his thoughts on Zirkzee’s first goal for United. He became the third Dutchman to score on his Premier League debut for the Reds, like his assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will benefit his development greatly over the coming season.

Speaking to Android Poker Apps, as cited by the Manchester Evening News, Petit said: Joshua Zirkzee’s goal was very lucky but his start could be a sign of many things to come for him. If you’re scoring a last-minute winner with your first shot on goal, it could be seen as destiny or fate. Man United could have killed the game earlier on, Zirkzee saved the three points for them and I think Erik ten Hag will be very pleased that he’s already contributed. The start of the season is always the most important time for a player, if you start well then you can avoid the noise and continue playing how you are.

We can only hope that it’s a sign of things to come, but I don’t see Zirkzee being a goalscorer. He’s going to make a lot of goals happen through contributions no doubt.

Technically, he looks very good. To say he was unlucky takes away from the brilliant finish and the fact he was involved in the build-up play.

Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.