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.
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).