Match Report
As much of the UK tucked in to their Christmas dinner left overs, for football fans they have been starved of usual Boxing Day football extravaganza. As only one Premier League game was scheduled for Friday evening. The game in question was being played under the bright lights of Old Trafford as United played host to another United; Newcastle United.
As is so regularly the question since Amorim took the helm, what shape would Manchester United take? This considering the notable injury absentees and other first teamers being in Morocco for the African Cup of Nations.
Despite the warm up suggesting the much maligned 3-4-3. As the game kicked off the side in red took a more conventional 4-4-2. Which caught everyone out. None more so than their opposition, who after being pushed back for the first quarter of the game appeared to utilise an injury to Ramsdale to switch their own formation to try to get a foot hold in the game.
The message seemed to work for the away side and they started to mount some pressure and attack the Stretford End, and could've found themselves ahead from a corner, but the keeper kept it out and was assisted by his defenders who cleared their lines. Huge let off.
A watchable game, but with limited big goal mouth situations. That was until the 24th Minute where a long throw in was headed out but volleyed quite beautifully by Patrick Dorgu. Who gets his first goal for the club, and in what fashion. The Dane on the scoresheet who appeared to prosper from the changes more than any other player in the first half.
The first half wound down without any additional consequence or real situations of note for either side. Half time 1-0.
Mason Mount did not appear in the second half and was replaced at the break by Jack Fletcher; son of Darren.
The game itself after the restart saw the away side dominate, as they now were the ones pressing their opponent back. They were the side in the ascendency creating nearly moments through Schar, Gordon, and Lewis Hall; who whipped his strike against the bar.
United had some moments of their own on the counter as Šeško hit the bar himself and Dalot fired over despite being one on one with Ramsdale. Their was no doubt though that the home side were holding on. At times playing with a back six and struggling to get out. Gordon being the main threat for Newcastle.
An equaliser and even a winner felt almost inevitable, and had United fans fearing once again for that half time Old Trafford record. The tension from the stands was palpable as the home fans tried their best to get their team over the line.
Miley too had a golden opportunity as the match clock hit 90, but leaning back he fired over. 7 minutes of added time, and with the changes United had made throughout the half. It left the 11 left out on the pitch full of players with inexperience, whilst the away side had the likes of Wissa and Joelinton, both game changers who were trying to do just that.
It was defence versus attack, but time was running out for the away side. United were digging in and fighting hard. Heaven was very impressive at the heart of that Manchester United defence, and appropriately it was his headed clearance which signalled to Anthony Taylor to blow the whistle for full time. He also walked away with the Man Of The Match.
It was by no means pretty, but the red United took all three points to propel themselves up to 5th, for the time being at least, and keeping an elusive clean sheet in the process. The team can sit back and enjoy the rest of the festive football, whilst Newcastle will be asking themselves how they lost that match?
