After coming off the bench to help Manchester United beat Fulham in the first game of the season, Joshua Zirkzee was praised by Erik ten Hag as the game’s most valuable player.

Before the Stretford End, Zirkzee scored the only goal of the game by turning in Alejandro Garnacho’s cross. He came on with 30 minutes left to play.

It made Ten Hag happy to see his £36.5 million signing score on his first game, but he wants him to do even better next weekend when they play Brighton away.

“He is a Manchester United player whether he is Dutch, English, Russian, or South American,” Ten Hag said.

“It’s great for a striker to score the game-winning goal in his first game.”I remember Rasmus Hojlund scoring in his first game, which was against Brighton, and then VAR decided the game. He was really angry. I’m happy for [Zirkzee], because it will give him and his friends hope. It’s a great beginning.

Since he joined from Bologna, Zirkzee has had to wait his turn. Last weekend, he was an unused replacement in the Community Shield at Wembley because Ten Hag wants him to be fitter.

Ten Hag was asked what it was about Zirkzee that made them want to sign him this summer. “He has so many qualities that we didn’t have, and he showed them right away,” he said.

“He is very good at putting things together and linking them up.” Our offensive players are good at playing with the ball, and this will help them.

What else does he want to see from Zirkzee? “He has to get into the box and score goals; that’s what a striker does best,” he said.

One player who wasn’t even on the practice team was Jadon Sancho. He has had a rough time with Ten Hag during his time at the club.

That was said to have been worked out over the summer, but his absence here after missing a chance in the Community Shield made people look twice.

He still has a part to play this season for Ten Hag.

He said, “First, we need depth in the squad. This season is survival of the fittest, and I can only put 20 players in the squad.”

“Jadon had an ear infection last week, so he wasn’t fully healthy for this.”

He could play, but you have options, and we chose to leave other players on the bench instead. That will change, and it can change.

“Today you learnt how important subs are.” We need to find the right pitch. The player is upset, but it’s for the team and the club. We want people to fight for the team, and everyone will get a chance to show what they can do.