Man United vs Newcastle live: Hosts survive onslaught to claim victory and clean sheet in Premier League’s Boxing Day battle | OneFootball

Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates scoring their first goal (AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United withstood a second-half onslaught from Newcastle United to move level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League as Patrick Dorgu’s stunning volley secured Ruben Amorim’s side a first home win in two months.

Dorgu’s first United goal was a beauty as the 21-year-old wing-back thundered a headed clearance from Nick Woltemade past Aaron Ramsdale and into the net on the full volley.

It was all Newcastle after the break as Eddie Howe’s visitors pinned the hosts into their own half, with Lewis Hall cracking the underside of the crossbar and Anthony Gordon dragging wide.

But United, who were without captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes, held on to claim just their second clean sheet of the season and could have added to their tally on the break as Benjamin Sesko also struck the crossbar and Diogo Dalot fired over on the counter-attack.

What next for Newcastle?

Eddie Howe’s side have another away game - this time at Howe’s former club Burnley - on 30 December. If they don’t add a second Premier League away win against a team struggling in the relegation zone then I would imagine Howe starts to come under some pressure...

Jamie Braidwood27 December 2025 07:00

What next for Manchester United?

It’s Wolves at home next for Manchester United - the perfect opportunity to wrap up up 2025 with back-to-back wins and consolidate their place in the top five.

(Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood27 December 2025 06:00

Eddie Howe defends Newcastle's lack of goalscoring threat

“Second half was a lot better than the first but we didn't do enough, we have to do more. It was not through a lack of effort, we were very dominant in that second period and I thought if we scored we would go on to win.

“We cut through them a lot of times, put in a lot of crosses and the chances were not there. If we had scored that equalising goal the momentum was with us but it was not to be.

“I thought Anthony [Gordon] played well, direct, full of running, yes the goal was not there. We need more goalmouth action and to be clinical in front of goal. They [Manchester United] managed the game well, but they were allowed to.”

Eddie Howe: 'We didn't look as good physically'

Eddie Howe defended his team from suggestions that they struggled tactically with facing Manchester United today, with the Newcastle boss explaining that he felt there was a physcial drop-off from the 2-2 draw against Chelsea.

He told Sky Sports: “We didn't look as good physically as we did against Chelsea when we were excellent. There wasn't a tactical problem for us at any stage of the game, we're disappointed with how we defended the goal and long throws was something we prepared for and then disappointed with our actions.

“We cut through them a lot of times, put in a lot of crosses and the chances were not there. If we had scored that equalising goal the momentum was with us but it was not to be.”