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Ruben Amorim’s bold decisions vindicated as Man Utd dig deep to beat Newcastle
Manchester United welcomed Newcastle to Old Trafford as the two sides played the only Premier League game on Boxing Day, where Ruben Amorim celebrated a huge three points
Manchester United had to dig incredibly deep to beat Newcastle United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Patrick Dorgu opened the scoring after 25 minutes with his first goal for the club. The Dane fired home a brilliantly struck volley in a first-half dominated by the hosts. But the second 45 was a completely different story as a Newcastle onslaught was unable to force home an equaliser.
United were without Bruno Fernandes, who missed just his fourth game in his United career through injury or illness after picking up a hamstring injury at Aston Villa last time out, and Amorim took the initiative to change his shape.
Without Fernandes, Amorim named Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte alongside each other in the middle of the park, losing the creative spark. Today was a glimpse of how United could fare without Fernandes, albeit without the transfer fee the club would receive and re-invest in his replacement.
Amorim defied his own staunch stance of playing a back four with United clearly lining up with four in defence, bizarrely with Patrick Dorgu taking up a position at right-wing. The new shape left Mason Mount able to freely operate in the No.10 position – a role he has been unable to play in his two-and-a-half years at the club due to injury and Fernandes’ imperious form.
The change in system saw Eddie Howe caught cold as he rushed to get instructions to his players to alter their system. Plenty of space was afforded on the pitch as the game became a man-to-man contest.
And it didn’t take long for the first goal to arrive when Dorgu proved why he was playing in an advanced role when he smashed home a volley from a corner. Catching the dropping ball perfectly and too powerfully for Aaron Ramsdale to keep out.
The new system saw Matheus Cunha dropping into the space off the left of the attack, showing his technical brilliance in tight spaces as well as being able to stretch the play. With Fernandes out and Bryan Mbeumo and Amad at AFCON, all eyes are on the Brazilian to step up and play a catalytic role like he did for Wolves.
United deservedly led at half-time but the fear was that the same old story was about to write itself again: The Red Devils leading and on top but failing to kill the game off before dropping points has been a regular narrative this season.
Amorim wasn’t helped at the break as Jack Fletcher replaced Mason Mount, presumably due to injury. And the opening stages of the second half saw an onslaught from the visitors.
Reacting to the situation, Amorim replaced Benjamin Sesko with Joshua Zirkzee, with the Slovenian’s last touch seeing him strike the bar. While the system changed when a perplexed Casemiro was replaced by Leny Yoro.
Initially, it looked as though United might revert to a back five. Instead, it appeared to remain a back four with Dorgu and Diogo Dalot as wingers and Yoro at right-back. An incredibly defensive switch by Amorim with United already under the cosh.
Newcastle threw the kitchen sink at trying to find an equaliser. And Amorim continued to get itchy on the bench, taking off Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw for Tyler Fredricson and Tyrell Malacia in a bizarre change with both defenders crucial to the team's staunch rear guard at that point.
United held on with Ayden Heaven lauded by his team-mates for a colossal display at the heart of defence.
Daily Star Sunday
Manchester United welcomed Newcastle to Old Trafford as the two sides played the only Premier League game on Boxing Day, where Ruben Amorim celebrated a huge three points
Manchester United had to dig incredibly deep to beat Newcastle United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Patrick Dorgu opened the scoring after 25 minutes with his first goal for the club. The Dane fired home a brilliantly struck volley in a first-half dominated by the hosts. But the second 45 was a completely different story as a Newcastle onslaught was unable to force home an equaliser.
United were without Bruno Fernandes, who missed just his fourth game in his United career through injury or illness after picking up a hamstring injury at Aston Villa last time out, and Amorim took the initiative to change his shape.
Without Fernandes, Amorim named Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte alongside each other in the middle of the park, losing the creative spark. Today was a glimpse of how United could fare without Fernandes, albeit without the transfer fee the club would receive and re-invest in his replacement.
Amorim defied his own staunch stance of playing a back four with United clearly lining up with four in defence, bizarrely with Patrick Dorgu taking up a position at right-wing. The new shape left Mason Mount able to freely operate in the No.10 position – a role he has been unable to play in his two-and-a-half years at the club due to injury and Fernandes’ imperious form.
The change in system saw Eddie Howe caught cold as he rushed to get instructions to his players to alter their system. Plenty of space was afforded on the pitch as the game became a man-to-man contest.
And it didn’t take long for the first goal to arrive when Dorgu proved why he was playing in an advanced role when he smashed home a volley from a corner. Catching the dropping ball perfectly and too powerfully for Aaron Ramsdale to keep out.
The new system saw Matheus Cunha dropping into the space off the left of the attack, showing his technical brilliance in tight spaces as well as being able to stretch the play. With Fernandes out and Bryan Mbeumo and Amad at AFCON, all eyes are on the Brazilian to step up and play a catalytic role like he did for Wolves.
United deservedly led at half-time but the fear was that the same old story was about to write itself again: The Red Devils leading and on top but failing to kill the game off before dropping points has been a regular narrative this season.
Amorim wasn’t helped at the break as Jack Fletcher replaced Mason Mount, presumably due to injury. And the opening stages of the second half saw an onslaught from the visitors.
Reacting to the situation, Amorim replaced Benjamin Sesko with Joshua Zirkzee, with the Slovenian’s last touch seeing him strike the bar. While the system changed when a perplexed Casemiro was replaced by Leny Yoro.
Initially, it looked as though United might revert to a back five. Instead, it appeared to remain a back four with Dorgu and Diogo Dalot as wingers and Yoro at right-back. An incredibly defensive switch by Amorim with United already under the cosh.
Newcastle threw the kitchen sink at trying to find an equaliser. And Amorim continued to get itchy on the bench, taking off Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw for Tyler Fredricson and Tyrell Malacia in a bizarre change with both defenders crucial to the team's staunch rear guard at that point.
United held on with Ayden Heaven lauded by his team-mates for a colossal display at the heart of defence.
Daily Star Sunday