Patrick Dorgu’s maiden Manchester United strike secures a 1-0 Premier League win against Newcastle, moving the Red Devils up to fifth place.
MANCHESTER: Patrick Dorgu’s first Manchester United goal earned a depleted side a 1-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United.
The victory at Old Trafford propelled Ruben Amorim’s men up to fifth in the table.
Shorn of captain Bruno Fernandes due to injury and the absent Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, a tactical change for Dorgu paid dividends.
The Danish international connected sweetly with a looping ball on his left foot for the only goal on 24 minutes.
It compounded Newcastle’s miserable away form despite the visitors dominating the second half.
A first home win in two months takes United level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
Newcastle remain down in 11th place after failing to score.
United secured just a second clean sheet of the season despite a rearguard second-half action.
Amorim responded to the loss of Fernandes by switching to a back four with Dorgu in a more attacking role.
Diogo Dalot’s cross was cleared high into the air before the 21-year-old volleyed past Aaron Ramsdale.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe made an early formation change to adapt to United’s fast start.
Howe has struggled all season for answers to the Magpies’ woeful form on the road.
Newcastle have won just twice in 12 games away from Tyneside in all competitions.
Ramsdale denied Dorgu a second at the end of another dangerous United counter-attack before half-time.
Amorim’s forward options were dealt another blow when Mason Mount did not reappear for the second half.
Jack Fletcher, son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, was introduced for his first appearance at Old Trafford.
Newcastle penned the home side inside their own half for practically the entire second half without reward.
Amorim tinkered his system once more, but his substitution of Casemiro left the Brazilian befuddled.
United still had two huge chances to kill the game off despite being under pressure.
Benjamin Sesko smashed off the bar from a narrow angle before Dalot blazed over from a free-kick.
Lewis Hall crashed a strike off the crossbar with Newcastle’s best effort.
Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley both fired wastefully high over the bar after intricate play.
Newcastle joined local rivals Sunderland as the only sides to not score against United this season.
