Newcastle United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, with Patrick Dorgu’s first-half volley settling a close contest. Eddie Howe’s side dominated long spells, especially after the break, but left without a point despite creating the better chances. Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim surprised both teams by deploying a […]
Newcastle United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, with Patrick Dorgu’s first-half volley settling a close contest.
Eddie Howe’s side dominated long spells, especially after the break, but left without a point despite creating the better chances.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim surprised both teams by deploying a back four for the first time in over a year. Left wing-back Dorgu was shifted to the right wing and scored what proved to be the only goal after 26 minutes, volleying in after a Newcastle defensive header from a corner dropped kindly inside the area. It was Dorgu’s first goal for United in nearly 40 appearances.
Newcastle started brighter, forcing an early save from Senne Lammens when Bruno Guimaraes headed on target from a corner. Jacob Murphy also saw a shot deflected over, but that was pretty much it for the Magpies.
The Red Devils’ goal came against the run of play as Matheus Cunha’s drive was stopped by Aaron Ramsdale, and from the resulting corner, Dorgu put the ball past the Newcastle keeper.
Man Utd gained momentum for the rest of the half, with Cunha and Dorgu both going close. Newcastle struggled to regain control before halftime, losing their composure and conceding territory.
After the break, Newcastle responded strongly. Fabian Schar’s shot hit the post and a powerful strike from Lewis Hall hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear, denying NUFC from tying the game.
The visitors kept up the pressure and had a penalty shout after Lisandro Martinez appeared to hand the ball on a corner, but VAR did not award a penalty kick.
Nick Woltemade and Lewis Miley missed good opportunities late on, Man Utd remained dangerous on the break—with Benjamin Sesko hitting the bar and Diogo Dalot volleying over—and Newcastle spent most of the second half on the front foot without capitalizing.
The Geordie boys have now lost five of their last six away matches and have not kept a clean sheet in 11 games. Their issues defending set pieces continued, with Dorgu’s winner coming from a corner.
“The second half was a lot better than the first but we didn’t do enough, we had to do more and it wasn’t due to a lack of effort,” Eddie Howe said. “We were very dominant during that second period and if we’d scored we could have gone on and won the game, but it didn’t happen and we’re hugely disappointed.”
Newcastle travel to Burnley on Dec. 30 for their final match of 2025 in another Premier League clash.
Category: General Sports
