Manchester United withstood a second-half onslaught from Newcastle United to move level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League as Patrick Dorgu’s stunning volley secured Ruben Amorim’s side a first home win in two months.
Dorgu’s first United goal was a beauty as the 21-year-old wing-back thundered a headed clearance from Nick Woltemade past Aaron Ramsdale and into the net on the full volley.
It was all Newcastle after the break as Eddie Howe’s visitors pinned the hosts into their own half, with Lewis Hall cracking the underside of the crossbar and Anthony Gordon dragging wide.
But United, who were without captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes, held on to claim just their second clean sheet of the season and could have added to their tally on the break as Benjamin Sesko also struck the crossbar and Diogo Dalot fired over on the counter-attack.
Follow all of the latest from the Premier League clash with our live blog below
Manchester United vs Newcastle live
- FULL TIME! Man Utd survive onslaught to beat Newcastle at Old Trafford
- Patrick Dorgu scored first-half volley before hosts hung on to victory
- 62' OFF THE BAR! Lewis Hall strikes woodwork from range as Man Utd hang on [MUN 1-0 NEW]
- 24' GOAL! Dorgu scores stunning volley for first Man Utd goal [MUN 1-0 NEW]
What next for Newcastle?
07:00 , Jamie BraidwoodEddie Howe’s side have another away game - this time at Howe’s former club Burnley - on 30 December. If they don’t add a second Premier League away win against a team struggling in the relegation zone then I would imagine Howe starts to come under some pressure...
What next for Manchester United?
06:00 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s Wolves at home next for Manchester United - the perfect opportunity to wrap up up 2025 with back-to-back wins and consolidate their place in the top five.
Mason Mount injury update as Ruben Amorim offers explanation for half-time change
05:00 , Jamie BraidwoodRuben Amorim has revealed Mason Mount “felt something at half time” and explained that Manchester United decided not to risk him in the second half after the midfielder was withdrawn during the Premier League win over Newcastle.
Mason Mount injury update as Ruben Amorim offers explanation for half-time change
Eddie Howe defends Newcastle's lack of goalscoring threat
03:02 , Jamie Braidwood“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 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.”
Ruben Amorim explains Manchester United's formation switch
01:31 , Jamie Braidwood"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."
Ayden Heaven: 'We want to push for top four, possibly the league'
00:05 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester United defender Ayden Heaven, who was delighted to keep a clean sheet, explains where he feels his team should be targeting after going fifth in the Premier League.
He tells Sky Sports: "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."
Eddie Howe: 'We didn't look as good physically'
23:38 , Jamie BraidwoodEddie Howe defended his team from suggestions that they struggled tactically with facing Manchester United today, with the Newcastle boss explaining that he felt there was a physcial drop-off from the 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
He told Sky Sports: “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.”
Ruben Amorim on Man Utd's victory: 'We needed to suffer'
23:14 , Jamie BraidwoodRuben Amorim sounds like he was pretty delighted to play rubbish but win after so many games of playing well but drawing or losing. He’s what he said while speaking to Sky Sports:
“We need to suffer all together in the stadium. I think we did a good first half, and then the second half, we just defended. 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.”
Ruben Amorim offers injury update on Mason Mount
22:43 , Jamie BraidwoodRuben Amorim has revealed Mason Mount “felt something at half time” and Manchester United decided not to risk him in the second half after the midfielder was withdrawn during the Premier League win over Newcastle.
Mount started alongside Matheus Cunha in behind Benjamin Sesko, with United already missing their injured captain Bruno Fernandes as well as Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, who are at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He was replaced at half-time by 18-year-old Jack Fletcher, the son of former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, as United ultimately saw out a 1-0 victory for their first home win at Old Trafford in two months.
Amorim explained that while Mount wanted to continue, he could not risk the former England international’s fitness ahead of facing Wolves on Tuesday 30 December.
Ruben Amorim baffles his players but new-look Man United hold on for gutsy win
22:21 , Richard JollyThe spot on Manchester United’s right wing has been filled by George Best, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. If many another has struggled to live up to their standards, they have had few more unlikely successors than Patrick Dorgu. And yet, if only for one night, he was a revelation as a right winger.
For United, there was something endearingly improbable about. A left-field choice in one respect, the right man in another, Dorgu played out of position, delivered a barnstorming display and capped it with a wonderful winner.
United, who have spent the last few weeks missing the chance to go fifth, took this opportunity with a weakened team. It was Newcastle United who were left to rue the result when a glance at the teamsheets suggested they could chalk up a sixth win in seven attempts against another United.
Ruben Amorim baffles his players but new-look Man United hold on for gutsy win
Manchester United's defenders praised after 'ugly win'
22:04 , Jamie Braidwood“A big night for them,” says former Manchester United captain Roy Keane on Sky Sports. “Clean sheet and young players get an opportunity, it wasn't pretty but it was a big win. They have some big games coming up, can they get some momentum? An ugly win but a big win.”
Gary Neville, meanwhile, is full of praise for young Ayden Heaven, who was a rock at centre-back.
FULL TIME! Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:59 , Jamie BraidwoodContrasting scenes at full-time! United are exhausted, an inexperienced, unrecognisable team collapse after hanging on to win!
Newcastle’s players also hit the floor. Eddie Howe’s side dominated the second half but could not find a way through. Their away-day blues continue.
Patrick Dorgu is the match-winner, and in style too. His remarkable volley proved the difference after United kept just their second clean sheet of the season.
FULL TIME! Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:57 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester United somehow hang on! Old Trafford celebrates!
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:56 , Jamie Braidwood90+6 mins: Last-chance saloon for Newcastle.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:56 , Jamie Braidwood90+4 mins: Gordon twists and turns on the left but his cross drifts all the way out. Does that sum up Newcastle’s day?
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:53 , Jamie Braidwood90+3 mins: Lammens comes out to claim a Guimaraes cross and Old Trafford explodes as the goalkeeper clings on to the ball.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:51 , Jamie Braidwood90+2 mins: Cunha is booked for catching Hall late and Newcastle are unhappy because it has slowed the game down. Cunha is still arguing...
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:50 , Jamie Braidwood89 mins: Another chance! Hall to the byline, Wissa flicks and it falls to Miley, but he slices off target!
SEVEN minutes added on.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:47 , Jamie Braidwood87 mins: Ruben Amorim does not subscribe to the theory of not changing a defence when attempting to close out a lead...
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:47 , Jamie Braidwood86 mins: Newcastle are furious as Miley’s cross hits Dorgu in the face and he takes the chance to stay down.
Two more changes for United: the lesser-spotted Tyrell Malacia and Tyler Fredricson for... Martinez and Shaw!
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:44 , Jamie Braidwood85 mins: Knock, knock, knock... Newcastle are getting closer and Barnes gets to the byline before teeing up Gordon, who shoots first-time over the bar!
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:41 , Richard Jolly82 mins: Can Manchester United hang on? This has been a valiant effort but Newcastle are very much on top. Yet Lammens has only had to make one genuinely good save.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:40 , Jamie Braidwood81 mins: Sunderland are the only team who have failed to score against Manchester United this season. Eddie Howe has a worried look on his face.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:39 , Jamie Braidwood79 mins: Gordon beats Dalot on the wing and tees up Joelinton... but the shot is straight at Lammens!
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:37 , Jamie Braidwood78 mins: Lammens FLAPS from the Miley corner and is very unconvincing! But the referee blows for a foul from Gordon on the goalkeeper.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:36 , Jamie Braidwood77 mins: Joe Willock replaces Tonali - Howe has emptied his deck and rolled his dice and now needs something.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:33 , Jamie Braidwood73 mins: WELL, WELL! What a goal this would have been from Dalot! He takes down a long punt from Martinez on his chest and almost steers a finish past Ramsdale with his second touch! But it goes over.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:32 , Jamie Braidwood72 mins: Another good moment for Dorgu, who is now relieving pressure by being United’s out-ball. He carries forward and draws a foul from Tonali, who is booked.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:28 , Richard Jolly69 mins: Newcastle seemed to have much the stronger bench. Now Howe has turned to it, with Wissa, Barnes and Joelinton. Meanwhile, United seem to have no one else to turn to. It may be down to this 11 to hold on.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:27 , Jamie Braidwood67 mins: CHANCE! Ooooh Gordon has to score! A lovely chip from Murphy plays in the forward, but he slides his finish across the goal and wide! Woltemade wasn’t there for the tap-in either.
Newcastle have now made a big triple change: ON come Barnes, Wissa and Joelinton. OFF go Woltemade, Murphy, Ramsey.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:23 , Jamie Braidwood64 mins: NO PENALTY! The fact Martinez was jostling with Thiaw clears him.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:22 , Jamie Braidwood63 mins: There’s now a VAR check for a handball on Lisandro Martinez. His hands were up and he blocked Schar’s shot from close range while jostling with Thiaw at the back post.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:21 , Jamie Braidwood62 mins: OFF THE BAR! Lewis Hall is so unlucky! He is allowed to carry the ball forward and takes a crack, with a dipping shot smashing the underside of the bar!
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:21 , Jamie Braidwood61 mins: Changes for United! That was Sesko’s last action. He is replaced by Zirkzee, while Casemiro looks stunned to be replaced by Leny Yoro. Amorim is going back to a back five.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:19 , Jamie Braidwood60 mins; OFF THE BAR! Was this offside? Ugarte steals the ball from Guimaraes and suddenly Sesko is through, strangely in loads of roam! He goes for the near post but rattles the crossbar!
And Sesko was onside! He was kept on by Schar on the far side! A big chance missed.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:18 , Richard Jolly59 mins: Newcastle are applying pressure but without turning it into chances. United only have one clean sheet this season but have defended well so far. Amorim has switched Jack Fletcher with Cunha, so the youngster is on the left to offer more protection to Luke Shaw.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:16 , Jamie Braidwood56 mins: Manchester United have dropped home points against Everton, West Ham and Bournemouth over the winter months and Newcastle are starting to knock on the door. Will be a big result for Ruben Amorim to get this over the line.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:14 , Jamie Braidwood54 mins: Still no joy for Newcastle despite forcing Manchester United deep into their half. Gordon’s cross drifts all the way through and is easily collected by Lammens.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:10 , Jamie Braidwood50 mins: CLOSE! It breaks to Schar at the back post. His low shot deflects off Dorgu and goes behind. Manchester United eventually clear as Dorgu heads away and stays down.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:09 , Jamie Braidwood49 mins: Newcastle have their hosts penned in at the moment. Newcastle now have a corner on the left after one from the right was cleared.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:06 , Jamie Braidwood47 mins: Oh dear. Woltemade flicks it to Ramsey but the former Villa player tumbles over his own feet just as he was entering the box.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:05 , Richard Jolly46 mins: On comes Jack Fletcher, whose brother Tyler is also on the bench. It gives their dad, United's Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher, an added reason to be here tonight.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
21:05 , Jamie BraidwoodA change at the break for Manchester United. Jack Fletcher, son of Darren, is on for his second appearance after his debut at Villa Park last weekend. He is on for Mason Mount. You have to hope that’s not another injury for the former England international.
HALF TIME! Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:55 , Jamie BraidwoodShifted to the right wing. Looked confident and a threat. Scored first goal for Manchester United with a wonderfully clean volley.
This was Patrick Dorgu’s half!
HALF TIME! Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:53 , Jamie BraidwoodNewcastle have just one win from eight Premier League away games this season. A big improvement will be needed if they are to give those travelling supporters a happy journey home on Boxing Day.
HALF TIME! Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:49 , Jamie BraidwoodTonali’s injury gave Newcastle a couple of more minutes to offer some late threat. Alas, they could not. Manchester United lead thanks to Dorgu’s wonderful volley.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:45 , Jamie Braidwood44 mins: Will we see a response from Newcastle before half-time?
There will be two minutes of added time but Tonali is down with an injury after a challenge from Sekso. He trod on his foot.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:42 , Richard Jolly41 mins: So far, Newcastle have only really had one chance of note and even that came from a corner, in Bruno Guimaraes' header. It felt for a while as though they had got to grips with this new-look Man United. But, in the last 20 minutes, they have been in the inferior side again. As it stands, there is work for Howe to do at half-time.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:41 , Jamie Braidwood40 mins: Danger! Murphy flashes a trademark cross from the right. The target is obvious but Woltemade can’t get there and Gordon should really be following it in.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:39 , Jamie Braidwood37 mins: Ruben Amorim told his Manchester United players that they would have to step up while Bruno Fernandes is sidelined and Matheus Cunha has certainly done that so far.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:34 , Jamie Braidwood33 mins: Dorgu again! It’s incredible what a shot of confidence can do. Mount and Cunha have been superb in the final third and Dorgu is found in the box. He cracks a right-footed shot and Ramsdale scoops it away.
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
20:32 , Jamie Braidwood30 mins: Newcastle haven’t really responded since the Dorgu volley slapped them in the face. But the last Premier League game to be played at Old Trafford and they will know their opponents have kept just one clean sheet all season. But a scampish Cunha skips down the left and wins Manchester United another corner.
WATCH! Dorgu's stunning volley gives Man Utd the lead
20:29 , Jamie BraidwoodStunning technique! Head over the ball, watching it all the way.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle (DORGU 25')
20:27 , Richard JollyTwo new roles for Dorgu tonight: right winger and Man Utd goalscorer. That is his first for the club.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle (DORGU 25')
20:25 , Jamie BraidwoodWHAT A WAY FOR DORGU TO OPEN HIS ACCOUNT! What a moment for the 21-year-old!
From the corner, the ball is cleared into the air by Woltemade and Dorgu catches it sweet as it tumbles back to earth! It beats Ramsdale at his near post. Wonderful celebrations.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:24 , Jamie Braidwood23 mins: Midway through the first half and the best two chances - one for Manchester United and the other for Newcastle - have come from corners. But this does still feel like an open game with plenty of space to exploit.
Speaking of, Cunha drives into the box and slices his shot towards the front post. Ramsdale pushes it wide!
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:22 , Jamie Braidwood21 mins: Gordon twists, turns, and leaves Dalot on his bum. He then finds Hall, who gets to the byline but Casemiro heads the cross away.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:19 , Jamie Braidwood19 mins: Newcastle’s threat is growing and Guimaraes and Tonali are starting to run the game. Guimaraes and Ramsey link up and the pull-back narrowly misses Guimaraes.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:18 , Richard Jolly16 mins: Newcastle may have been caught out at the start by the way Amorim set his side up. Dorgu has been prominent in his new role while Mason Mount has been particularly effective at high pressing which - albeit with Dorgu as a left wing-back - brought United's goal at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:13 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: A Tonali corner for Newcastle... and that could have gone anywhere! Lammens just about manages to scramble it away after Guimaraes flicked it on at the near post.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:12 , Jamie Braidwood11 mins: Chance for Sesko! Mount picks it off Hall and Dorgu slides a low cross for Sesko. Could he hit this first time? Instead he takes a touch, tries to wriggle, but squirms it off target.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:11 , Jamie Braidwood10 mins: Well, well. We see Daniel Farke criticise Manchester City for this a few weeks ago, because Ramsdale is absolutely fine and Newcastle appeared to tell the goalkeeper to go down in order for Eddie Howe to pass some tactical instructions to his team. Newcastle have been dealt a surprise by Manchester United’s system.
Farke accuses Man City of exploiting football rule with ‘obvious’ Donnarumma tactic
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:09 , Jamie Braidwood8 mins: Newcastle United haven’t quick got going yet, as Sesko pinches the ball away from Miley.
Oh! Aaron Ramsdale is holding his hamstring - could we see an early return for Nick Pope? Who is back on the bench?
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:07 , Jamie Braidwood6 mins: The Sky Sports cameras are quick to pick out Bruno Fernandes sitting alongside Harry Maguire in the stands, under a Manchester United beanie and wearing a warm training jacket. The captain was busy muttering some tactical observation to his team-mate.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:05 , Jamie Braidwood5 mins: Dorgu takes a tumble as he combines with Mount but Lewis Hall escapes without giving away a foul. It’s a battle of left backs on that side of the pitch.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:04 , Jamie Braidwood3 mins: A chance! Casemiro rises in the box and is totally unmarked five yards out! But he heads over.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:03 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: Remarkable scenes. I’m still digesting my Boxing Day leftovers, as well as the sight of Patrick Dorgu playing right wing for Manchester United. The hosts have a corner.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:01 , Richard Jolly1 min: Remarkably, Patrick Dorgu is playing right wing for Man Utd tonight. And Ruben Amorim has a back four, too...
KICK-OFF! Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle
20:01 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Premier League has Boxing Day football at long last.
Underway at Old Trafford.
Reminder of team news and how to watch Man Utd vs Newcastle
19:55 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester United XI: Lammens; Heaven, Martinez, Shaw; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Subs: Pope, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Willock, A. Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Alabi
How can I watch it? It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.
Newcastle United unchanged from Chelsea draw
18:51 , Jamie BraidwoodNewcastle are unchanged from the 2-2 draw against Chelsea but Eddie Howe’s side are looking much stronger on the bench - with Joelinton and Nick Pope returning from injury. Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock all add to Howe’s options, too.
Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Subs: Pope, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Willock, A. Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Alabi
Lisandro Martinez replaces Leny Yoro as Casemiro returns
18:49 , Jamie BraidwoodRuben Amorim has made two changes to his side. The injured Bruno Fernandes is replaced by the returning Casemiro, who is back from suspension, while in defence Lisandro Martinez comes in for Leny Yoro and could start in the middle of the defence. Martinez is also captain.
Manchester United XI: Lammens; Heaven, Martinez, Shaw; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee
Why is there only one Premier League game on Boxing Day?
17:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleUsed to gorging on a full spread of festive Premier League football? News of just one Boxing Day game may come as a surprise but you can understand the scheduling somewhat, as Jamie Braidwood explains:
