Boxing Day’s sole Premier League fixture tingled the senses and was graced by Patrick Dorgu’s finish that moved Manchester United up to a season-high fifth.
They could – and maybe should – have been limited to a draw because Newcastle United dominated the second period. The visitors’ problem was a lack of cutting edge. Towards the end Joelinton pulled the trigger with the goal begging but drilled only into Senne Lammens’ gloves. Joe Willock did the same with a cross. Then, Anthony Gordon spurned one more clear chance.
So, missing Bruno Fernandes for only the fourth time of a five-year, 308-appearance United career, Ruben Amorim’s men finished the night happy, particularly as the captain was one of seven unavailable.
Factor in how they ended with a backline containing the 20-year-olds, Leny Yoro and Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven (19), plus Tyrell Malacia, who last featured in January, and you understood why the head coach was pleased.
“Yes, especially if you see the second half, we managed to defend sometimes with a back six [were forced to] 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.
Of Dorgu, he said: “Maybe the game today with a lot of transitions is good for his ability to drive with the ball. He did well.”
For the first time, Amorim’s configuration featured a flat back four even when defending and stationed Dorgu as a right-winger, with Mason Mount chief orchestrator in attacking midfield.
The former Chelsea man was a cocktail of industry and creation A gilded chance for Casemiro came when Mount’s corner dropped on to his head: unmarked, the Brazilian twitched his neck muscles and missed – poorly. Then Mount hassled Lewis Hall, pilfered possession, and passed to Dorgu. The Dane’s cross went to Benjamin Sesko whose pivot was followed by an aimless shot.
Punch and counterpunch was the pattern. Sandro Tonali popped a corner in from Newcastle’s left, Bruno Guimarães nodded on, and in a near-post thicket Lammens squeezed the ball away.
Eddie Howe’s unchanged XI were on top so Dorgu’s blistering strike was succour for United. Matheus Cunha’s devilry claimed a throw-in which Diogo Dalot lobbed into Newcastle’s area, Nick Woltemade’s header looped to Dorgu, and an instant left-foot volley flashed past Aaron Ramsdale in the visitors’ goal.
One-nil to United and a feather in the Amorim cap for switching the effervescent Dorgu to attack. He and his teammates now hurtled at their visitors in a red blur. Balletic Dorgu feet bedazzled on the right and brought Mount in but his touch was laboured. Luke Shaw careered along the left and hoped to put Sesko in but failed. Cunha, too, tried to locate the Slovenia forward and was thwarted. A Dorgu break followed by an effort that Ramsdale saved, and the sight of Manuel Ugarte scheming were all part of the show Amorim’s men were putting on.
They were breathless and exhilarating, direct and potent – in attack. Yet as the goals against column showed at kick-off – 30 conceded – defence is their issue. When Sesko dawdled and was robbed in his own half, instantly United were turned. The ball went to Jacob Murphy and a skimming ball over was missed by a stranded Lammens.
United were missing Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, and Fernandes, all injured, plus Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo, who are on Africa Cup of Nations duty. But at the interval Amorim’s team – captained by Lisandro Martínez, in his first start since February – walked off to applause, fine tidings for the head coach as his bench was crammed with five academy youngsters, including the Fletcher twins, Jack and Tyler, who were together in a matchday squad for the first time.
Jack was brought on for Mount by Amorim who saw a slick Woltemade backheel find Jacob Ramsey. He manoeuvred into space then fell over, comically, in instalments.
United’s bad habit of falling asleep directly after the break was again present. Newcastle, scenting blood, forced a medley of corners. At one, the ball bounced to Fabian Schär and his snapshot was deflected away by Dorgu.
Amorim, seeing enough, brought Joshua Zirkzee on for Sesko, whose final act was to crash the ball off Ramsdale’s bar, as Yoro replaced Casemiro. None of this halted Newcastle’s flow. Hall skirted past Ugarte and also hit the bar. Schär wanted handball by Martínez but the video assistant referee ruled this was inadvertent, the defender’s effort hitting him on the underarm.
Newcastle have won away from home only once in the league this season, 4-1 against Everton. Howe said: “You could make an argument we should have got something today but ultimately we haven’t.”
He needs to remedy this – fast.
