Manchester United emerged as victors on the opening night of the Premier League season, as Joshua Zirkzee’s late debut goal bagged all three points against Fulham.

It was a decent enough display from Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils, who started the game with new signing Noussair Mazraoui at left-back, but Fulham had their moments on the counter attack and will feel aggrieved at their lack of composure in key moments.

Zirkzee’s late strike separated the two sides – the Dutchman turning home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross with a flick of the left leg – and there was a feel good factor after the final whistle as United got their campaign up and running in positive fashion.

There have been plenty of changes at United, both in terms of playing personnel and structural management, and the same can be said for the way decisions made by VAR are communicated to audiences.

A new X account called ‘Premier League Match Centre’ is intended to explain the decision of officials when it’s not abundantly clear why a ruling has gone one way or another, and its first use came in the 13th minute of the game.

United wanted a penalty when winger Amad Diallo clashed with the retreating Alex Iwobi and Antonee Robinson in the area, but on-field referee Robert Jones waved away the appeals and allowed the game to continue.

Typically, fans would not receive context as to why VAR would not overturn a decision, but a post on the social media account revealed that Jones’ initial call of no penalty was backed because there was ‘no impactful contact’ made on Amad.

The clarification may set a precedent for the 2024/25 campaign, indicating a degree of force will be required for VAR to overturn decisions made by on-field referees, rather than awarding penalties for the merest contact.

VAR’s match centre was again in use before the half-time whistle, confirming the yellow card issued to Harry Maguire for simulation was the correct decision – the Englishman having assumed contact was coming before falling to the ground in Fulham’s box.

Tune in to The Promised Land Podcast  as Scott Saunders goes through the main talking points of Manchester United’s opening day win against Fulham at Old Trafford.

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