The result also allowed for a more considered assessment from pundits who, as former United captains, seem to have spent so long criticising their old club.
Gary Neville has welcomed the general sense of control and momentum at the club, thanks to the presence of a new chief executive in Omar Berrada and sporting director in Dan Ashworth.
“Manchester United need to be a serious football club and it at least looks like that is happening,” he said.
“The prices (paid for players) seem to be better. It was embarrassing for a lot of last season and pathetic in some games. Where they are now is in a strong position. I feel more optimistic.”
Zirkzee’s performance included a nonchalant celebration that matched the manner in which he took the goal, sweeping Alejandro Garnacho’s right-wing cross into the bottom corner with the minimum of fuss.
“It was a brilliant finish,” said Roy Keane. “He was clean and crisp in his passing. United need to punish their opponents more but they have been a threat and to score on his debut is huge.”
There were complications around Zirkzee in the summer.
Ten Hag revealed the 23-year-old ended last season with an injury that would rule him out of Euro 2024, but other injuries in the Netherlands squad meant he was chosen by Ronald Koeman anyway.
That meant Zirkzee had an extended break due to his lack of fitness, meaning he had to be managed carefully when he did report for pre-season training, which is why he was on the bench throughout the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
“We had to look at each individual and each one had to accumulate deficits,” Ten Hag said.
“He has qualities that we didn’t have and he showed them straight away. He’s very good in his combinations, but he has to get into the box to score goals. That’s what he did today.”
