Patrick Dorgu’s first goal for Manchester United gave a depleted Red Devils a 1-0 win over Newcastle United, pushing Ruben Amorim’s side up to fifth in the Premier League.
With captain Bruno Fernandes missing through injury and Brian Mbemo and Amad Diallo absent for the Africa Cup of Nations, Amorim’s changing role for Dolgu paid off.
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Although the visitors dominated the second half, the Denmark international added to Newcastle’s troubled away form by scoring the only goal with a curling shot from his left foot.
A first home win in two months moved United level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea, while Newcastle United remain behind in 11th place.
After a series of promising performances in recent weeks that went unrewarded, this time United managed to do so despite having to play at the back to ensure just their second clean sheet of the season.
Amorim responded to Fernandez’s departure by eventually switching from his favored 3-4-3 system to a back four, with Dolgu taking a more attacking role on the right side of the back three behind Benjamin Sesco.
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Dolgu duly scored his first goal for United after joining from Lecce nearly a year ago.
Diogo Dalot’s cross was cleared high in the 24th minute, before the 21-year-old volleyed past Aaron Ramsdale.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe himself made changes to his formation early on to suit United’s fast start.
But Howe has struggled all season to find answers to the Magpies’ poor away form.
Newcastle have won just two of their 12 away games against Tyneside in all competitions.
Just before half-time, Ramsdale stopped Dolgu’s second attack on another dangerous United counterattack.
However, Amorim’s forward options took another hit when Mason Mount did not feature again in the second half.
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Jack Fletcher, son of former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, has made his Old Trafford debut.
Newcastle sensed their chance and they kept the home side inside their own half for almost the entire second half without getting anything in return.
Amorim once again modified his system to try to turn the situation around, but his replacement Casemiro confused the Brazilian.
Despite barely escaping their own half, United still had two great chances to kill the game.
Sesco’s shot from a tight angle hit the crossbar and Dalot shot over after being picked out by Lisandro Martinez’s free-kick.
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Newcastle’s Lewis Hall hit the crossbar with a shot.
Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley both fired over the crossbar after a complicated play that ultimately created some space in the United penalty area.
But Newcastle United join city rivals Sunderland as the only team not to score against Manchester United this season, dealing the latest blow to their hopes of returning to the Champions League next year.
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