Updated 00.11 | Published 2025-12-26 22.58
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Patrick Dorgu, 21, needed 38 games.
Then the Dane scored his first goal for Manchester United.
– I just looked at the ball and saw it coming down so I tried to hit it, says Dorgu.
The ball came from a failed clearance. Dorgu volleyed home to give Manchester United the lead against Newcastle after just 24 minutes.
– It was a good shot, I didn’t know I had it in me. But I’m very happy to score my first goal, said Dorgu to Sky Sports after the match.
Dorgu arrived from Lecce during the last January window and has functioned as a wingback in Amorim’s much-vaunted playing system. When the elves were released ahead of the year’s only “Boxing Day” match, Amorim had turned things around. Against Newcastle, Dorgu was instead seen starting as a right winger, a move that proved to pay dividends.
The goal was the only one of the match – and Dorgu’s first in the red shirt. Manchester United eventually won 1–0. The match did not immediately offer any beautiful play, but became a grumpy battle for the points until the end.
– It really wasn’t pretty to look at. An ugly victory, but a hugely important victory for them, says club legend Roy Keane in Sky Sports.
The last time they won at Old Trafford was against Brighton on October 25th, so over two months ago.
With the victory, the Manchester club moves up to European place in the table.
The Swedes were missing
It was two very injured United that clashed on Boxing Day.
The home side were missing Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and perhaps most notably Bruno Fernandes through injury, while the likes of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui are missing due to the African Championships.
In Newcastle, it is the back line that is worst affected. Important cogs such as Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Swedish Emil Krafth are all sidelined with injuries.
Before the match, the club also confirmed that Newcastle’s other Swede, Anthony Elanga, is also struggling with injuries and was therefore out of the squad.
– It was a big night for them (Manchester United). We talk about the players they are missing, and still keeping a clean sheet, with many young players who got the chance, Keane continues in Sky Sports.
For Newcastle, the result meant the third straight match without a win. They are in 11th place in the table. Next, Burnley awaits as opposition.
