Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle: Ruben Amorim’s side provisionally up to fifth place with win over Magpies
At times this season Ruben Amorim has felt that Manchester United have put in a good performance but not quite got the points out of a game that they deserve. On Boxing Day, the United coach will feel that his side caught a break, securing all three points even when it looked like Newcastle deserved something.
Patrick Dorgu’s first goal for United lifted his side to a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford, ending a lukewarm run that had seen his side pick up only two wins in eight.
United were without seven senior players, including captain Bruno Fernandes, and Amorim responded by switching to a back four for the first time as United head coach. United fielded Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot as full-backs, while Dorgu was pushed high on the right flank and Mason Mount was given licence to run the game from an advanced midfield role that would normally have been occupied by Fernandes.
Newcastle started brightly and looked the more settled side early on. Sandro Tonali’s deliveries from set pieces caused problems and Bruno Guimaraes went close with a near-post header that forced Senne Lammens into action. Yet for all their control, Eddie Howe’s team struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
United grew into the contest as the first half progressed. Mount carved out an early opening when his corner found Casemiro unmarked, only for the Brazilian to head wide. Moments later, he pressed Lewis Hall into a turnover that ended with Benjamin Sesko firing off target after a low cross from Dorgu.
The breakthrough arrived against the run of play. United scored from yet another set piece after a long throw from Diogo Dalot was only partially cleared and Nick Woltemade’s looping header dropped invitingly for Dorgu. The Dane unleashed a volley that flew past Aaron Ramsdale into the corner, Amorim vindicated for his choice to start the player high on the right side.
United played with freedom for most of the first half after the goal. Jacob Murphy sent a dangerous low ball across the box that evaded everyone, and then after the break the Toon piled on more pressure. United were pinned back and forced to defend a succession of corners and half-chances. Fabian Schar saw a shot deflected just wide by Dorgu, with Lammens already wrong-footed. Lewis Hall, whose only two career goals have been against United, came close twice and struck the crossbar from distance.
Amorim shuffled the pack, introducing Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro. It didn’t make things better. But Newcastle were let down by their finishing and United had ordered a dose of luck on Christmas day. At the end, Dalot had the chance to box up the win but blazed over after superbly controlling Martinez’s long ball.
