Manchester United edged past Newcastle United on Boxing Day in the only Premier League match of the day. Patrick Dorgu scored the winning goal and lifted United to fifth place, their highest spot this season.
United took the lead against the run of play. Newcastle controlled most of the second half but failed to finish their chances. Joelinton shot straight at Senne Lammens with the goal open. Joe Willock wasted a good cross. Anthony Gordon also missed a clear chance late on.
Ruben Amorim had to cope without Bruno Fernandes, who missed only his fourth match in five years. Seven senior players were unavailable. United ended the game with a very young defence. Leny Yoro and Tyler Fredricson are both 20. Ayden Heaven is 19. Tyrell Malacia made his first appearance since January. The coach was pleased with the effort.
“Yes, especially if you see the second half, we managed to defend sometimes with a back six and we suffered together. If we always have this spirit we are going to win so many games. It is something we need to feel that we can win games with spirit and togetherness,” said Amorim.
He also praised Dorgu. “Maybe the game today with a lot of transitions is good for his ability to drive with the ball. He did well.”
Amorim used a flat back four while defending and pushed Dorgu forward on the right. Mason Mount played a key role in attack. He worked hard and created chances. Casemiro missed a free header from a Mount corner. Mount then won the ball high up the pitch and set up Dorgu. His cross found Benjamin Sesko, who turned but shot weakly.
Newcastle also threatened. Sandro Tonali swung in a corner. Bruno Guimarães flicked it on. Lammens did well to push the ball away at the near post.
Newcastle were on top when United scored. Matheus Cunha forced a throw in. Diogo Dalot sent the ball into the box. Nick Woltemade headed it on. Dorgu met it first time and fired a left foot shot past Aaron Ramsdale. United led one nil.
The goal gave United confidence. They attacked with pace and energy. Dorgu caused problems on the right. Luke Shaw tried to create from the left. Cunha also looked for Sesko but could not find him. Dorgu later broke free again but Ramsdale saved his shot.
United still looked shaky at the back. Sesko lost the ball deep and Newcastle almost punished them. Jacob Murphy sent a dangerous ball across the box but it went untouched.
United were missing several key players through injury and international duty. At half time they left the pitch to applause. Lisandro Martínez wore the armband in his first start since February. Amorim named five academy players on the bench, including twins Jack and Tyler Fletcher. They were in a matchday squad together for the first time.
Jack Fletcher came on for Mount. Newcastle kept pushing. United again started the second half slowly. Newcastle won a series of corners. Fabian Schär had a shot blocked by Dorgu.
Amorim made more changes. Joshua Zirkzee replaced Sesko, who hit the bar just before going off. Yoro came on for Casemiro. Newcastle did not slow down. Lewis Hall beat Manuel Ugarte and struck the bar. Schär appealed for handball against Martínez but the referee and video review waved it away.
Newcastle have won only once away from home in the league this season. Eddie Howe felt his side deserved more.
“You could make an argument we should have got something today but ultimately we haven’t,” he said.
He now faces pressure to fix that problem quickly.
