A heavily stretched Manchester United side did just enough to secure a narrow Premier League victory over Newcastle United, with Patrick Dorgu’s spectacular first-half volley sealing a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and lifting the hosts back into the top five.
Ruben Amorim’s team entered the contest severely undermanned, missing seven senior players through injury and international duty, including captain Bruno Fernandes.
Their problems deepened further when Mason Mount was forced off at half-time, leaving United to manage the remainder of the match with limited options.
Dorgu delivers decisive moment
Despite Newcastle controlling possession, it was United who produced the game’s defining moment.
Patrick Dorgu opened his account for the club with a superb volley after Diogo Dalot’s long throw was only partially cleared.
Advancing confidently to the edge of the area, Dorgu met the dropping ball cleanly and guided an unstoppable effort beyond Aaron Ramsdale into the corner.
The goal provided United with a cushion they would spend much of the evening defending, as Newcastle struggled to convert territorial dominance into clear chances.
Missed chances and mounting pressure
Newcastle came closest to equalising when Lewis Hall unleashed a fierce strike that crashed down off the underside of the crossbar.
United also had opportunities to extend their lead, with Benjamin Šeško striking the bar and Dalot failing to keep his effort down when through on goal early in the second half.
As the match wore on, Newcastle committed numbers forward, pinning United deep inside their own half for long periods.
United hold firm as Newcastle falter
The hosts, however, remained disciplined and organised, repelling sustained late pressure to record only their second clean sheet of the league season.