Manchester United extended their impressive Boxing Day record with a narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Patrick Dorgu scored the only goal of the game in the first half, securing Man Utd’s 22nd Boxing Day win — the most in Premier League history. The win sees Man Utd move up to fifth in the Premier League, only outside the top four on goal difference — putting the pressure on those around them.
But the significance of the victory was more than that. It came via an unexpected tactical change from Ruben Amorim. Could it be a sign of a new era finally starting?
How Amorim’s change inspired Man Utd’s victory
New look lineup
The build up to Friday’s game was dominated by Bruno Fernandes’ injury. The Man Utd captain had to come off at half-time against Aston Villa last weekend, and has been ruled out for a few weeks. Man Utd were already missing Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo from among their attacking outlet due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The game would be just the 10th Premier League match Man Utd have had to play without Fernandes since he joined the club almost six years ago. And they don’t have a good record without their captain. The Red Devils had won three, drawn one and lost five of their nine league games without Fernandes.
No one could have guessed how Amorim would remedy the problem. For the first time under Amorim, Man Utd started a Premier League game with a back four.
Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro played in the double pivot, with Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha joined by Patrick Dorgu in the attacking midfield roles. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw were the full-backs, with Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven between them. It was a system that caught many by surprise, not least because Man Utd had warmed up with their standard back three.
Aided somewhat by having two defensive-minded players in the pivot, Man Utd looked more solid in defence. They were more compact, with the centre-backs and two No.6s all within touching distance, compared to the mini diamond of the back three and one No.6. But it could also function as a back with one of the full-backs pushing forward while the other tucked it. Man Utd had a versatility they haven’t had for a long time.
Dorgu taking his chance
Eyebrows were raised when teams saw Dorgu starting on the right wing. Some fans felt he had taken a spot in the team from Shea Lacey, who could have found himself with more playing time in the absence of Mbeumo and Dalot. And the fact that the formation hadn’t been tried when Mbeumo was available.
But there was method to Amorim’s madness. Although Dorgu is very much a left wing-back for Man Utd, he has experience higher up on the right. The Dane played 41% of his total minutes for Lecce in Serie A last season at right wing, compared to 29% at left-back and 6% as a wing-back. All three of his Serie A goals for Lecce last season came in games that he started at right-wing.
Of course, that’s mentioned because Dorgu scored against Newcastle, finally opening his Man Utd account. But Dorgu’s performance was about so much more than just his goal. Even though it was a wonderful volley from the edge of the area.
Dorgu was heavily involved in Man Utd’s play, with only Ugarte (62) having more touches for the Red Devils than his 57. He also had two touches in the opposition box, with only Cunha and Benjamin Sesko (both four) having more.
The Dane won eight duels, the joint-most of any Man Utd player, won possession four times in the middle third and still chipped in with two tackles and two interceptions.
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Far from perfection
Despite their start and first-half goal, Man Utd were left somewhat hanging on to the victory. And that’s due to their ongoing problem in controlling matches. When taking the lead, instead of asserting their dominance, Man Utd almost look to panic. It’s as if they don’t expect to hold onto the lead. And they play like a National League side who have nicked a goal against the Premier League leaders in the third round of the FA Cup.
As the above momentum chart shows, Newcastle threatened the opposition goal more. And they controlled the game for most parts. The Magpies had just three shots in the first half, but upped that to 13 after the break. That’s more than Man Utd managed across the entire match (nine).
Man Utd were fortunate for Newcastle leaving their shooting boots on the team train — hitting the target just three times. Any other day, or another team, and Man Utd could have been staring another defeat in the face. The biggest problem is, it’s entirely avoidable.
Amorim made a rod for his own back with some bizarre substitutions, including bringing Leny Yoro on at right-back to push Diogo Dalot further forward. He then made changes to his defensive personnel very late on, when Man Utd needed the consistency. These were changes that could have seen Man Utd’s defence implode. Fortunately for Amorim, they didn’t. But it’s a word of warning, alongside the general positivity of the back four.
