Manchester United finally scored another victory at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Boxing Day, taking down Newcastle 1-0 in a battle to stay alive in the European qualification spots.
Ruben Amorim shook things up with the mounting injury crisis and AFCON trio away for international action, and the shifting lineup resulted in Luke Shaw moving up to left wing back with Patrick Dorgu on the right wing. Diogo Dalot slotted in at right back as the formation evolved into a back four, out of possession.
Up top, Benjamin Sesko started with Matheus Cunha at the left-sided No. 10 spot, and a midfield duo of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro policed the center with Mason Mount behind the striker.
Casemiro had an early opportunity from a corner, missing with a header, and United’s pressing led to a couple more opportunities in the opening 15 minutes for Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, but neither could get a clean shot away.
The deadlock was broken by a surprise candidate, with Dorgu arriving at the top of the box and volleying on the turn to send a strike low and through the crowd, right into the bottom left corner. It was a spectacular hit for his first United goal, and a late but leading candidate for Goal of the Month.
It resulted in a more positive sequence of play for United, a stretch of 10 minutes or so after the goal where there was space to attack and a forward-thinking approach from United. Matheus Cunha took his chances to run at defenders, and Dorgu’s confidence was flowing. He had another effort on the right wing, which was parried away by Ramsdale.
The second half saw a bit of a let-off in terms of United’s momentum. Jack Fletcher came on for Mason Mount, and it wasn’t long before Casemiro was off as well. Benjamin Sesko saw a shot at the hour mark whack against the crossbar, followed immediately by his substitution, and from there the traffic was mostly towards United’s goal.
The Reds held their own defensively, with Senne Lammens making a few stops. VAR checked a potential handball on Lisandro Martinez, but the replay showed it wasn’t a serious offense.
Diogo Dalot missed on an opportunity with just Ramsdale to beat, sending a left-footed shot over the bar, but that was about it for the hosts. Amorim’s changes were in character as defensive moves to hold onto a lead. The Magpies struggled to find anything truly threatening until late, missing on some decent opportunities in the process.
The fourth official was met with some groans as he named seven minutes of stoppage time, but United didn’t skip a beat despite several personnel changes. Senne Lammens claimed a couple of crosses and that was that.
It was the first home win for two months, and kept the Reds up in the table at a critical moment in the season. Positive performances from Cunha and Dorgu were very welcome for a team short of options, and the defensive work to limit Newcastle was much-needed as well after some chaotic finishes.
United (briefly) move into fifth place, level on points with Chelsea and Liverpool in contention for a UEFA Champions League spot. They go again on Tuesday at home against Wolves.
