Patrick Dorgu netted a stunning volley to help badly depleted Manchester United climb back into the Premier League’s top five with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford.
The Red devils who were missing seven senior players through injury and international duty including skipper Bruno Fernandes also lost Mason Mount at half-time.
But despite Newcastle having the larger chunk of possession and Lewis Hall’s thunderous strike bouncing down off the underside of the bar, the Magpies could not come up with a leveller as their dismal recent form continued.
Injury chaos inspired Ruben Amorim to change things up, but Patrick Dorgu was still one of the livelier United players as a makeshift right winger in the early stages.
Benjamin Sesko fired wide after receiving the Dane’s low cross, while Newcastle worked Senne Lammens for the first time when it went low towards the near post off a combination of Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro.
Fellow Brazilian Matheus Cunha then struck powerfully from a tight angle to call Aaron Ramsdale into action, but the England international’s night wasn’t about to get any easier.
Nick Woltemade headed away the resulting throw, only for Dorgu to meet it in the centre of the area with a wonderful, left-footed volley which nestled into the bottom corner. In fairness, Dorgu’s first Manchester United goal was worthy of winning any game.
Benjamin Sesko struck the crossbar before Dalot had a chance to double the home side’s lead in the second period, but arriving at speed behind the visitors’ defence he could not keep his shot down with only Ramsdale to beat.
Newcastle ended the game camped around their opponents’ box.
But the home side stood firm to claim only their second clean sheet of the season, and win without Fernandes for the first time since March 2022.
In contrast, Newcastle have now lost six of their past nine away games.
