Dorgu strike gives Man Utd nervy win over Newcastle | OneFootball

Patrick Dorgu's first Manchester United goal gave his side all three points at home to a wasteful Newcastle United.

The Manchester side were a much-changed from their usual starting eleven with players out for AFCON and injury, including talisman Bruno Fernandes and likely replacement Kobbie Mainoo.

However, necessity did force Ruben Amorim into a slight tactical change with United playing much closer to a 4-4-2.

Both sides had chances early on with Casemiro heading over from a corner and Bruno Guimarães at the other end forcing Senne Lammens into a good save.

The home side took the lead in the 24th minute with a superb finish from an unlikely source. It came from a Diogo Dalot long throw that eventually dropped to Patrick Dorgu, being deployed at right wing, who struck excellent from the edge of the area.

Jack Fletcher was brought on in the second half for Mason Mount but it was Eddie Howe's men who looked vastly improved with a series of corners soon after the restart.

Despite Newcastle's strong start in the second half, United almost doubled their lead with just under an hour gone when Benjamin Sesko hit the bar.

That was the Slovenian's final touch of the game before being replaced. Meanwhile, Casemiro was brought off for Leny Yoro with the Brazilian visibly confused by the change.

Shortly after, it was Newcastle's turn to hit the bar, this an excellent dipping effort from Lewis Hall that had Lammens beaten.

The pressure continued with Anthony Gordon having a low effort drag just wide of the post ahead of a triple change from the Magpies with Joelinton, Harvey Barnes, and Yoane Wissa all being introduced.

At the other end, a freekick from the halfway line found Diogo Dalot who did well to take the ball down but blazed his effort over as United desperately hoped for a second.

Clean sheets and Manchester United don't mix but that's a rule that doesn't apply to teams from the North East seemingly. Somehow, Newcastle couldn't find a way through against a United team that ended the game with a defence including youngster Tyler Fredricson and the lesser-spotted Tyrell Malacia.

It's a big three points for Amorim's side who go back up above Liverpool into fifth. Newcastle meanwhile remain inconsistent and struggled to create too many clear-cut chances against a weakened Red Devils team, especially considering their second half dominance.