MANCHESTER UNITED EDGE NEWCASTLE: PATRICK DORGU’S SCREAMER SECURES VITAL BOXING DAY WIN
Patrick Dorgu's stunning volley earns Manchester United a 1-0 win over Newcastle, moving Ruben Amorim’s side into fifth place.
Manchester United squeezed past Newcastle at home on Boxing Day, putting pressure on teams above them. Patrick Dorgu scored the winning goal, clearly benefiting from the freedom given by coach Ruben Amorim.
Early on, Casemiro almost scored with a header from a corner, but he couldn't keep it down. United kept pushing, and eventually, Dorgu volleyed in a great goal midway through the first half.
Near the hour mark, Benjamin Sesko nearly made it two, but his shot hit the top of the bar. Shortly after, Newcastle's Lewis Hall hit the bar from 25 yards out.
Newcastle kept up the pressure, with Anthony Gordon shooting wide. Eddie Howe brought on Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes, and Joelinton to try and get an equaliser.
Diogo Dalot then missed a great chance to seal the game, shooting over the bar, while Matheus Cunha also shot wide after a good run. Still, one goal was enough. Here's what we learned at Old Trafford.
Dorgu makes his mark
Almost a year after joining United, Patrick Dorgu scored his first goal for the club. It was a screamer, with the Dane smashing the ball past Aaron Ramsdale after Nick Woltemade's headed clearance.
Dorgu looked hungry for more after his first goal, testing Ramsdale with a low shot before halftime. He spent the whole game up the pitch, causing Newcastle problems on both wings.
Earlier this season, Ruben Amorim said he wanted Dorgu to show the form he had in Denmark. This game was probably what he had in mind.
Fernandes's curse broken
Bruno Fernandes went off injured against Aston Villa, which worried fans because United had only picked up one point in the last seven league games without him in the starting lineup.
Amorim knew it would be hard to replace him, but said United had options. For the first half, you wouldn't have guessed that a key player was missing.
United looked stretched late in the game, and Tyrell Malacia even made a rare appearance from the bench. It wasn't easy, but they got the win.
United's defence surprises Newcastle.
After rejecting the idea before, Ruben Amorim seemed to ditch his usual back three, at least at the start. Patrick Dorgu played on the right wing in front of Diogo Dalot, with Luke Shaw at left-back and Ayden Heaven partnering Lisandro Martinez in the middle.
The change might have been out of necessity since Noussair Mazraoui and Amad weren't available.
Newcastle seemed caught off guard. During a break in play, Lewis Hall got a message, and the visitors changed their approach.
United stayed on top before bringing on another centre-back, Leny Yoro. But it was another switch, with the Frenchman moving to right-back and Dalot going to the wing.
Fletcher's chance
Before the game, some United fans wanted Jack Fletcher to start. The teenager made his debut on Sunday and might have had a shot with Fernandes injured, but he started on the bench.
At the start of the second half, Mason Mount's substitution gave the youngster his chance. He started in an attacking role, but then had to be flexible as others were subbed off.
Fletcher's twin brother, Tyler, was also on the bench for United, and Tyler Fredricson came on late in the game. United might not be at full strength, but the future seems bright.
Man Utd gets revenge.
Last year, United had a terrible first half against Newcastle. They were 2-0 down within 20 minutes, and Amorim subbed Joshua Zirkzee off before halftime.
This time it was different. Amorim's team started quickly, and Newcastle didn't really get into the game until the second half.
Zirkzee got a chance to redeem himself in the last half-hour. Newcastle did most of the attacking, and the home team had to defend, but it will feel good to get revenge.
GARETH BARRY URGES MANCHESTER UNITED TO SIGN ELLIOT ANDERSON FOR £100M
Gareth Barry identifies Elliot Anderson as the ideal Casemiro replacement as the Brazilian prepares to leave Man Utd.
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Gareth Barry, the former Premier League midfielder, thinks Manchester United should target Elliot Anderson to take Casemiro’s place. Casemiro, now 34, already said he’s leaving Old Trafford when his contract ends this summer.
United’s decision not to extend Casemiro’s deal fits with their plan to shake up the squad. They paid Real Madrid an initial £60 million for him in 2022, and with add-ons, the deal reached £70 million. Casemiro’s on big wages around £300,000 a week, which gets closer to £350,000 if United make the Champions League. There’s also uncertainty about Manuel Ugarte’s future. With both potentially on the way out, plenty of names are being floated as replacements.
Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Adam Wharton are all in the conversation, but Barry sees Anderson as the best option.
Talking to BOYLE Sports, Barry explained, “Manchester United will definitely be searching for someone to fill Casemiro’s shoes. Anderson isn’t the same kind of player, and there’s a big age difference, too. What he brings is pretty unique.
“I really rate Elliot Anderson. If you’re a United scout, you’re talking about him. Off the ball, there aren’t many better. He presses, he shuts down space, and he’s great at winning the ball back. Plus, he can play forward too.
“That’s why Thomas Tuchel starts him for England over some big names, and why he could easily start at the World Cup. I’m sure he’s getting discussed in various boardrooms, not just at Manchester United.
“If a move’s going to happen, it’s better to get it over the line quickly. It just makes everything smoother for both clubs and the player, especially with a big tournament coming up.”
Barry added, “No one wants uncertainty hanging over Anderson while he’s focused on England at the World Cup. It doesn’t help anyone. And if he has a standout tournament, his price could easily go up.
“So if everyone agrees it’s time for a move, getting the deal sorted before the World Cup just makes sense.”
Even so, Nottingham Forest won’t be keen to let Anderson go. Since joining Newcastle in 2024, he’s become a vital part of their midfield. Forest supposedly set its price at £100 million, but their relegation fight could change things. Right now, Vitor Pereira’s squad sits 16th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone with seven games to play. names and
FA CHARGES HARRY MAGUIRE FOR "IMPROPER BEHAVIOR" FOLLOWING COSTLY BOURNEMOUTH DISMISSAL
Michael Carrick’s side faces a defensive crisis as Harry Maguire is charged by the FA for improper conduct.
Harry Maguire has been charged by the Football Association over his conduct following the red card he received in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
The defender was sent off after officials judged that he pulled back Evanilson inside the penalty area during their Premier League meeting last month. Maguire challenged the decision with both referee Stuart Atwell and fourth official Matt Donohue once VAR confirmed the call.
That penalty allowed Junior Kroupi to score the equaliser, helping Bournemouth claw back a point against Michael Carrick’s side.
According to an FA statement, Maguire faces charges relating to improper behaviour and/or the use of abusive or insulting language towards the fourth official after his dismissal. He has until April 2 to respond to these allegations.
As things stand, Maguire is due to serve a one-match ban for the red card, which would rule him out of Manchester United's game against Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13. If his ban is extended following this charge, he could also miss the clash with Chelsea on April 18, an encounter that could be crucial, given United sit third and hold a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for Champions League spots.
Earlier, Daily Mail Sport reported that Manchester United lodged a formal complaint with the PGMOL after the Bournemouth draw. The club were particularly frustrated over a denied second penalty, where Amad Diallo appeared to be brought down in the box while they led 1-0. Bournemouth then equalised through Ryan Christie in the ensuing play, and a VAR review did not overturn the decision, which may have swung momentum considerably.
Inside the United camp, there’s a sense that Maguire’s foul, which led to Bournemouth's second equaliser, mirrored the unpunished challenge on Diallo involving Adrien Truffert. That comparison fuels their belief that some decisions during the game didn’t go their way.
