Dorgu volleys in opener for first Man Utd goal
Win takes Man Utd fifth, having played a game more
Hosts without injured captain Fernandes
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Manchester United have won 23 times on 26th December in the Premier League era.
Here's how Ruben Amorim's depleted side climbed back into the Premier League's top five courtesy of a wonderful volley from Patrick Dorgu.
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was the opposite of many games at home when we played better and created more chances and didn't get three points. We did a good first half and then in the second half we suffered with the fans.
"They are a very good team and I think we put some players in positions they are not used to. We put players in who don't have a lot of experience at this level. The context of the game was hard for us but we won and tomorrow people just remember the result.
On Patrick Dorgu: "Really happy and also with Manuel Ugarte, who is struggling but today he did a very good job. I liked the way all the bench was living the game. I think everyone stepped up with that role of leadership and helped to win the game.
"First of all, the players spend every day with me. They know when I say something is from a good place. They know I will defend my players until the end but I am really honest and I think it is important the fans understand. I don't see any problem with that. He played in a different position today and played where he can make more mistakes and it is not so dangerous for the team and he can take more risks and that helped Patrick play well."
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
More reaction from BBC Radio Newcastle reaction with visiting boss Eddie Howe, who says he was pleased with the performance but not the result.
Eddie Howe reacts to Newcastle's 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League.
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I felt we should have come away with something but we only have ourselves to blame for that.
"It's a frustrating game. In the first half it was there for us to grab and we didn't and I was disappointed with our performance at half time. Second half was a lot stronger. I thought we dominated the game in terms of possession and chances. It was that elusive first goal, if we get it the win is there for us."
"I always hold myself accountable first and of course then i look at the players as well. I thought the performance was good today. I am not stood here going, 'we were miles off'. If we win everyone is saying, 'it's an outstanding performance' but of course we haven't and we are going to get criticised for that. We have to do more to win today."
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
More from Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to Sky Sports on Patrick Dorgu scoring: "You put him in one position that is more in front the responsibility is not the same. He has more freedom to lose the ball and I think it helped Patrick to play better, so they just need to understand. Even Manu [Ugarte], I think Manu did a very good game today. They need to understand you can have a good day and the next day can be worse, and you have to deal with that and train well and go forward."
On Mason Mount going off at half-time: "He felt something at half-time. He wanted to go, and that is also a good thing. He wanted to go in the second half, but cannot lose more players, and if you are not 100 per cent, Jack [Fletcher] did a very good job.
"It's a very important moment for any kid. He's going to hear from his father. He's going to talk a lot about a lot of things, but he needs to calm down and just praise the kid because he's really humble, works really hard, and he deserves this."
On keeping a clean sheet: "Clean sheet, back four, so I think I don't need a press conference. I think everything [is covered], Kobbie Mainoo is injured, all the subjects, and we can go home to enjoy the Boxing Day I think."
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to Sky Sports: "We need to suffer all together in the stadium. In the game really difficult for us. I think we did a good first half, and then the second half, we just defended, tried to do something with [Matheus] Cunha. We had the opportunities in the second half with transitions, but it was a good win. But I had so many games here saying we played very well and didn't get the three points, today was the opposite. I think we suffered together and we managed to win the game.
"I think we spent a lot of time with each other. We had some low moments and that sometimes can bring good things to the group, but it's good to have that feeling to have the experienced players helping the kids in helping the team understanding we are suffering. It doesn't matter if you're outside the pitch, you can play the game, and I think everyone played the game."
On changing the formation tonight: "In the first half, I think we showed that I felt that was the only way to create more danger, to have more opportunities was with the back four with a lot of guys inside. Even to keep the ball, because I remember the game last year we lost one against one outside. We just tried to imagine the game and to help the players to feel comfortable."
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Without Isak, Newcastle are a shadow of the team they once were.
Antony, Gosport
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "Second half was a lot better than the first but we didn't do enough, we have to do more. It was not through a lack of effort, we were very dominant in that second period and I thought if we scored we would go on to win.
"We started very well in the first 15 minutes, we were slightly rocked with the goal and we didn't react well to that. The game was there for us to take.
"We didn't look as good physically as we did against Chelsea when we were excellent. There wasn't a tactical problem for us at any stage of the game, we're disappointed with how we defended the goal and long throws was something we prepared for and then disappointed with our actions.
"We cut through them a lot of times, put in a lot of crosses and the chances were not there. If we had scored that equalising goal the momentum was with us but it was not to be.
"I thought Anthony [Gordon] played well, direct, full of running, yes the goal was not there. We need more goalmouth action and to be clinical in front of goal. They [Manchester United] managed the game well, but they were allowed to."
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I think Amorim deserves credit and patience. He’s still in the process of building his team. The results so far have been much better this season compared to last. And aside from Man City away, they could have easily got results in every game where points have been dropped.
Alex, Reading
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Ruben Amorim says Mason Mount was withdrawn because he "felt something at half time and wanted to go into the second half," but Manchester United elected not to risk him.
His quotes are to follow.
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Lots of stick on the Man United performance but to win without Bruno, Mbeumo, Amad, Kobbie, Maguire, De Ligt (Kobbie would be important in Bruno's absence) is impressive. Fair few games we've deserved to win and haven't so I won't feel any guilt with this one.
Robin, Wimbledon
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Newcastle have won just one of their last 12 away league games (D4 L7), which was a 4-1 victory at Everton in November.
If you go back to the start of that run at Aston Villa on 19th April, only Wolves ( with four points) have taken fewer points than the Magpies, who have claimed seven from a possible 36 on offer.
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Not sure this will make you feel any better Matthew but Eddie Howe has just said that if Newcastle had won that game people would be saying it was an "outstanding performance".
We'll have those quotes with you shortly.
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In away games you have to do the basics right, too many times Newcastle misplaced simple 5-yard passes and a countless number of our crosses picked out absolutely nobody. Gordon poor again.
Matthew
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Manchester United goalscorer Patrick Dorgu, speaking to Sky Sports about scoring the winner: "It was a good hit. I didn't know I could do that, but I was very happy to score my first goal in this stadium as well. It was amazing.
"I just took what he [Ruben Amorim] told me to work on my confidence and stuff. I think I did well today. I just looked at the ball, saw it drop, and I just hit it.
"I've been practicing in training, so I think that's what helped me."
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven, speaking to Sky Sports: "Finally, clean sheet, we've been waiting for this, and I'm just so happy. This guy [Patrick Dorgu] here helped us get there, so thankful to everyone that helped us."
On a change of system in defence: "It was different again, I was playing on the right side, obviously, my weaker foot. The manager, we play loads of formations with him, whatever he does we know it's going to work, you saw today. I'm so proud of the team.
"I think as Manchester United, we belong in Europe. We want to get back there next season so we can even push for top four, possibly win the league, anything's possible. We want to keep trying."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Now if you fancy some reaction from the visitor's side BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck and summariser and former Newcastle defender John Anderson have been chewing the fat over this result.
And they have delivered a pretty withering assessment of both sides.
John Anderson and Matthew Raisbeck react to Newcastle's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
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Utterly dire performance from Man Utd second half. Not many players worthy of the shirt and faith in Amorim (his substitution’s bewildering) is waning rapidly. Man Utd lack bite, ideas, pace and rely on individual moments. If Newcastle were good, it was theirs to win. Poor. Frustrating watch. Little progress under Amorim.
Geoff, Manchester
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Manchester United move up to fifth with that win over Bournemouth this evening.
Newcastle remain 11th and could drop lower than that tomorrow when seven more Premier League matches take place.
Image source, BBC SportFT: Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle
Manchester United finished that game without Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko.
And still somehow took all three points.
At a glance
Patrick Dorgu volleys Manchester United ahead with his first goal for club
Benjamin Sesko and Lewis Hall hit the crossbar
Wins sends Manchester United fifth in Premier League
Newcastle have now lost six of past nine away games in all competitions
Badly depleted Manchester United clung on to climb back into the Premier League's top five as Patrick Dorgu's stunning volley proved enough to beat Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Missing seven senior players through injury and international duty including skipper Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Amorim's side also lost Mason Mount at half-time.
But despite Newcastle having 66% possession and Lewis Hall's thunderous strike bouncing down off the underside of the bar, Eddie Howe's side could not come up with a leveller as their dismal recent form continued.
In fairness, Dorgu's first Manchester United goal was worthy of winning any game.
As Diogo Dalot's long throw was cleared to the edge of the Newcastle area, Dorgu strode confidently forward and hit the loose ball as it dropped, giving goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale no chance as he touched it into the corner.
Benjamin Sesko struck the crossbar before Dalot had a chance to double the home side's lead in the second period, but arriving at speed behind the visitors' defence he could not keep his shot down with only Ramsdale to beat.
Newcastle ended the game camped around their opponents' box.
But the home side stood firm to claim only their second clean sheet of the season, and win without Fernandes for the first time since March 2022.
In contrast, Newcastle have now lost six of their past nine away games.
If you are going to wait until your 38th appearance and 31st shot to score a goal for your club, you might as well make it memorable.
In fairness to Dorgu, he gave a glimpse of his potential at Hampden Park last month when he calmly tucked home a late equaliser that would have qualified Denmark for the World Cup at Scotland's expense were it not for the dramatic ending in Glasgow that sent Steve Clarke's men to the finals instead.
Amorim's first signing as Manchester United head coach, Dorgu has flattered to deceive in the left wing-back role, occasionally being a real weapon, at other times looking out of his depth in one of the key positions in the 3-4-3 grand plan.
On the night Amorim chose to select an orthodox back four for the first time, he moved Dorgu over to the right side of attack and effectively asked him to provide the threat Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo were responsible for prior to departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
He did not let his boss down.
Aside from his goal - Dorgu had the confidence to usher Manuel Ugarte away from the ball as he lined up his shot - he was in the way when Fabian Schar's goalbound effort, one of numerous Newcastle chances, was deflected for a corner.
If someone was going to burst forward and stretch the Newcastle defence, the former Lecce player was generally the man.
His last surge downfield was six minutes into stoppage time - his legs must have been burning - as Manchester United clung desperately to only their second clean sheet of the season.
This has turned into a pretty desperate period for Newcastle.
Defeated by Sunderland, throwing away a two-goal lead against Chelsea and now this.
Manager Howe can rightly point to his own injuries in justification that Manchester United should not be made a special case.
Yet this was a night when the home side finished with an 18-year-old, a 19-year-old and two 20-year-olds on the pitch, plus Tyrell Malacia who had not played all season and would have been sold in the summer if a suitable buyer had been found.
Despite this - and the fact they had two-thirds possession, more shots and smothered the home penalty area for the last half hour to the extent they had three times as many touches in the opposition box - Newcastle's goal threat was not extensive.
Aside from Schar's deflected shot and Hall's ferocious effort, Anthony Gordon sent a shot across goal and narrowly wide and there were a couple of penalty claims, one against stand-in home skipper Lisandro Martinez, that the video assistant referee (VAR) examined.
In the end, they just ran out of ideas and Newcastle are again licking their wounds at another bitterly disappointing outcome which keeps them in the bottom half of the table.
Manchester United are next in action against bottom club Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday, 30 December (20:15 GMT).
Newcastle travel to Burnley on the same night (19:30).
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 31 | 10 | 21 | 39 |
| |
| 17 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 41 | 16 | 25 | 37 |
| |
| 17 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 27 | 18 | 9 | 36 |
| |
| 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 29 |
| |
| 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 29 |
| |
| 17 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 29 |
| |
| 17 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 27 |
| |
| 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 26 |
| |
| 17 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 25 | 23 | 2 | 24 |
| |
| 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 24 |
| |
| 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| |
| 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 24 | 25 | -1 | 23 |
| |
| 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 24 | 26 | -2 | 23 |
| |
| 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 22 |
| |
| 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 26 | 29 | -3 | 22 |
| |
| 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 31 | -7 | 19 |
| |
| 17 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 26 | -9 | 18 |
| |
| 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 35 | -16 | 13 |
| |
| 17 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 19 | 34 | -15 | 11 |
| |
| 17 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 37 | -28 | 2 |
|
Manager:Ruben Amorim
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Eddie Howe
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
Manager:Ruben Amorim
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Eddie Howe
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
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Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Newcastle United |
2' | Newcastle United |
3' | Manchester United |
4' | Manchester United |
5' | Manchester United |
6' | Manchester United |
7' | Manchester United |
8' | Manchester United |
9' | Manchester United |
10' | Manchester United |
11' | Manchester United |
12' | Manchester United |
13' | Manchester United |
14' | Newcastle United |
15' | Newcastle United |
16' | Newcastle United |
17' | Newcastle United |
18' | Newcastle United |
19' | Newcastle United |
20' | Newcastle United |
21' | Newcastle United |
22' | Newcastle United |
23' | Newcastle United |
24' | Newcastle UnitedGoal |
25' | Newcastle United |
26' | Newcastle United |
27' | Newcastle United |
28' | Newcastle United |
29' | Manchester United |
30' | Manchester United |
31' | Manchester United |
32' | Manchester United |
33' | Manchester United |
34' | Manchester United |
35' | Manchester United |
36' | Manchester United |
37' | Manchester United |
38' | Newcastle United |
39' | Newcastle United |
40' | Newcastle United |
41' | Newcastle United |
42' | Newcastle United |
43' | Newcastle United |
44' | Newcastle United |
45' | Newcastle United |
45'+1 | Newcastle United |
45'+2 | Newcastle United |
45'+3 | Newcastle United |
Half time 45'+4 | Newcastle United |
46' | Newcastle United |
47' | Newcastle United |
48' | Newcastle United |
49' | Newcastle United |
50' | Newcastle United |
51' | Newcastle United |
52' | Newcastle United |
53' | Newcastle United |
54' | Newcastle United |
55' | Newcastle United |
56' | Newcastle United |
57' | Newcastle United |
58' | Newcastle United |
59' | Newcastle United |
60' | Newcastle United |
61' | Manchester United |
62' | Newcastle United |
63' | Newcastle United |
64' | Newcastle United |
65' | Newcastle United |
66' | Newcastle United |
67' | Newcastle United |
68' | Newcastle United |
69' | Newcastle United |
70' | Newcastle United |
71' | Newcastle United |
72' | Manchester United |
73' | Newcastle United |
74' | Manchester United |
75' | Newcastle United |
76' | Newcastle United |
77' | Manchester United |
78' | Newcastle United |
79' | Newcastle United |
80' | Newcastle United |
81' | Newcastle United |
82' | Newcastle United |
83' | Newcastle United |
84' | Newcastle United |
85' | Newcastle United |
86' | Newcastle United |
87' | Newcastle United |
88' | Newcastle United |
89' | Newcastle United |
90' | Newcastle United |
90'+1 | Newcastle United |
90'+2 | Newcastle United |
90'+3 | Newcastle United |
90'+4 | Newcastle United |
90'+5 | Newcastle United |
90'+6 | Newcastle United |
90'+7 | Newcastle United |
Full time 90'+8 | Newcastle United |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Manchester United have lost four of their last five Premier League games against Newcastle (W1), as many as they had in their previous 38 against the Magpies (W25 D9).
Newcastle did the league double over Manchester United last season, including a 2-0 win in this exact fixture. They’ve not won consecutive visits to Old Trafford since March 1935, while they last won three in a row against the Red Devils in January 1922.
Manchester United have won all three of their Premier League Boxing Day games against Newcastle, with all three coming under different managers – 4-3 in 2012 (Ferguson), 3-1 in 2014 (van Gaal) and 4-1 in 2019 (Solskjaer).
This is the first Boxing Day in Premier League history to see as little as one game being played. It’s between the team with the most Boxing Day wins in the competition (Man Utd, 22) and the team with the joint-most Boxing Day defeats (Newcastle, 16).
Manchester United have lost their last three Premier League matches played between Christmas and New Year, as many as they lost in their previous 43 games between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve (W32 D8 L3).
Newcastle United have won their last two away league matches played between Christmas and New Year, beating Leicester on Boxing Day 2022 and Man Utd on 30 December last year. They had won just two of their previous 34 away league games played between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve (D6 L26).
Manchester United have lost 14 Premier League games for the third consecutive calendar year, but the Red Devils haven’t suffered more league defeats in a year since 1989 under Alex Ferguson (18).
Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade has scored seven Premier League goals this season – the only German players to net more often in their debut campaign in the competition are Jürgen Klinsmann in 1994-95 (20), Lukas Podolski in 2012-13 (11) and André Schürrle in 2013-14 (8).
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has won seven of his 13 Boxing Day league games as a manager (D3 L3) – he won all five outside of the top-flight as Bournemouth and Burnley manager between 2009 and 2014, though only has a 25% win ratio in the Premier League (P8 W2 D3 L3).
Manchester United have failed to win any of their seven Premier League games since the 2022-23 campaign without Bruno Fernandes in the starting lineup, losing six of those (D1). The Red Devils have netted just four goals across those matches.
