Manchester United climbed to fifth in the Premier League after a gritty 1-0 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford. In the year's only Boxing Day fixture; marking the fewest top-flight games on December 26 in 43 years, Patrick Dorgu’s first-half volley proved the difference.
The decisive moment arrived in the 24th minute when Diogo Dalot’s long throw was only partially cleared by the Newcastle defense. Dorgu, playing in an advanced right-wing role rather than his usual left-back position, met the ball with a controlled volley from 15 yards that found the bottom corner.
It was a tactical departure for Amorim, who abandoned his signature back-three system for a flat back four for the first time in his 13-month tenure. "He has more freedom to lose the ball and I think it helped Patrick to play better," Amorim said of the 21-year-old’s attacking role.
Operating with a severely depleted squad, United recorded just their second clean sheet of the season despite having only 33% possession. The hosts were without captain Bruno Fernandes, injured defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, and AFCON-bound trio Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui.
"We managed to defend, sometimes with a back six, but we suffered together, and that is a good feeling," Amorim noted. Nineteen-year-old defender Ayden Heaven was named man of the match for his maturity in the back line, while Lisandro Martinez made his first start since February before being substituted late on.
Newcastle pushed relentlessly for an equalizer in the second half, hitting the woodwork through Lewis Hall and forcing several desperate blocks from a United defense that finished with academy youngsters like Tyler Fredricson.
Despite registering 16 shots and 43 touches in the opposition box, Eddie Howe’s side struggled with familiar "travel sickness," having won only once away from home this season. "We didn’t create outstanding chances so we’re desperately disappointed," Howe said. "Away from home we haven’t done well enough in front of goal."
The victory was not without cost for United, as Mason Mount was forced off at halftime with an injury. However, the result marked a rare win without Fernandes, who has missed only four games in his five-year United career.
As Amorim navigates a mounting injury list, the emergence of youth prospects like Heaven and the return of Martinez offer a path toward European qualification. If the squad can maintain this level of defensive resilience until their key players return from international duty and the treatment room, a Champions League spot remains a realistic target.
