Dorgu's delightful volley gifts Man Utd gritty win over Newcastle

0:08Thanks for joining us on the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Boxing Day football came from Old Trafford as Manchester United went up against Newcastle. Here's how we saw things at the end of the night.

0:32Old Trafford feels the festive move. Patrick Dorgou. certainly a man ready to party and Ruben Amarim too off the back of a victory for which Manchester United have truly had to dig in one special moment the purest of volleys from Patrick Dorgou brought them the winning goal but the story really is around A. Manchester United's formation and B. Newcastle United's failure to score despite a domination particularly in the second half which under almost any other circumstance might have proved irresistible but United come away with the points Garrett yeah an incredible second half that Manchester United edged the first half thought they played really well but the substitutions came the shape the players on the pitch got even more bizarre but they hung in there and they really didn't he was absolutely outstanding that young man he was absolutely brilliant he headed everything clear and he gets rightly gets a hug from luke shaw and the coaching staff but those newcastle players i think four or five of them just collapsed to the ground at the end of the game he had a good night patrick dogoo and a great goal he will not believe what he's seen and that his team haven't scored in that second half a shrug of resignation from eddie howe which is reflected in the facial expressions of those Newcastle players who threw everything at it and got no return.

2:08The night Manchester United changed their shape and perhaps changed the shape of their season. Up into the top five, Manchester United, Dave, joyful and triumphant by a goal to nil. Peter, and when all said and done in a few weeks' time, the score sheet will say Manchester United won the game and they kept a clean sheet as well, Roy. and that's what it's all about. You're a big knife from, again, we've talked about the players, we're missing particularly Bruno, so to get a clean sheet, a lot of young players getting an opportunity, it certainly wasn't pretty to watch, but I've said it many times before, give me the points of the crowd, it's a new year of the week.

2:46A big win for them, we've got some games coming up, and you're thinking, can they get some momentum, and get on a proper run, and obviously they've got to now keep this momentum going. Big win, an ugly win, but a huge win for them. How would you sum up that second half, Jamie? me? Listen, great fighting qualities and Gary's just mentioned then that Eddie Howe wouldn't believe that his team haven't scored but listen, Newcastle dominated the second half possession wise, territory, but they never worked the goalkeeper, you know they didn't create enough champs, the only one I can think was Anthony Gordon's one, where he flashes across the...

3:21They know they've missed a massive opportunity here, don't they? Yeah they have, listen when you look at the Manchester United team's second half and what they finish with but listen, that's great credit to United, we've all being there, you know, backs against the wall, second half, you're playing against a team that are better than you, you know, but no, they didn't do enough Newcastle, you know, I think if you're going to come anywhere, to a big round, to Old Trafford, in that second half and you think you deserve something from the game, they didn't do enough in terms of creating chances and that has been a big problem for them away from home all season, it's a complete contrast at home, so for me, Manchester United deserve it, yes, they were in great second half and we can, you know, sort of scratch our heads a little bit around some of the substitutions and what the manager did but Newcastle didn't do enough, didn't create enough.

4:04Well he would say the substitutions paid off because they managed to win the game. Well every time you win a football match your decisions are justified but it was confusing for everyone and listening to a back four at the start again we weren't expected of chopping a change in substitution towards the end particularly we've said it before he's got previous changing position defenders and that's to confuse a bit obviously they'll be happy one of them with the night's work it's lovely listen great for the young players and It's great for the young players to get a taste of winning at Man United because that's the expectation.

4:35But Newcastle didn't turn off quality. Final pass, decision-making, not good enough. And that's what's come, I guess, from this situation where so many key players are missing. They're having to turn to these young players and they're having to step up. But listen, Roy knows this better than me. There's an unbelievable tradition at this football club with young players. I still think one of the greatest things in football is that record Manchester United have, of having a homegrown player, part of the squad in the team or on the bench, it's fantastic. It really is. And listen, that looks like it's going to continue in years to come with the two Fletchers involved there, so it was nice to see one of them get on.

5:10But Roy mentioned earlier on, you know, there's been a lot of talk about the formation, and maybe the manager's been forced into it in some ways because of people injured, people away in the AFCON. But then it might be something that you end up falling onto. You think, OK, you know, maybe it is the time that we move forward, we haven't got the options, maybe like before. And That's happened to many managers over the years They've almost been forced into something Because of injuries players away And you know from the start of the game Yeah it wasn't pretty in the second half But it was a nice shape to them Again a clean sheet There was a bit of desire People were happy to put their head in it I was critical with the Villa game Where I was talking Are players showing enough desire To not give up any goals Or so many chances And they had that So for all Again Newcastle will leave I suppose with one or two plaudits But it's the point That was key for United Yeah not the prettiest but a vital three points for Manchester United.

6:01A full weekend programme coming your way. Forest City, Arsenal, Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Burnley, Everton, Liverpool, Wolves and West Ham, Fulham all tomorrow 5.30. Live with us, Chelsea, Villa, Super Sunday, Sunderland, Leeds and Crystal Palace up against Spurs. And don't forget the Sky Sports app is ready and waiting. You can scan that QR code and it will keep you up to date with all the Premier League football this weekend. And doesn't that look good for Manchester United? Up to fifth place above Liverpool. Fifth may well be Champions League place again by the end of the season. That's what Gary Neville was talking about before kick-off tonight.

6:39That's what he thinks is a realistic target for Manchester United this season. Where would they be if they'd managed to, I don't know ifs, buts, if they'd managed to win the previous three home games here as well? Can we say that by every team? Where would Liverpool be? Newcastle United in 11th place and still just one away win on the board this season for Eddie Howe's side. Frustration will be there for a second half in which they had 13 shots, 13 of their 16 on the night.

7:23Hi everyone, Tom White here. Welcome to Sky Sports FC, the place to have your say on the biggest football stories. Join me and the very best Premier League pundits Monday to Friday, 10 till 12 on Sky Sports News or listen on our brand new podcast, which drops as soon as we come off air. On the pod, you can expect hot takes, fierce debate and some more of your messages. Just search for Sky Sports FC wherever you get your podcasts. Give us a like, follow or subscribe. That's Sky Sports FC, a Sky Sports podcast.

8:04Welcome back to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get back to the studio for more reaction to today's game. Yeah, well worth the wait from Patrick Dorgou. Sonning goal in the first half and Manchester United were able to hold on to their lead despite sustained Newcastle United pressure in that second half in which we saw 13 of their 16 shots. Three of those 16 on target and just one graded by Opta as a big chance. That fell to Anthony Gordon, but he couldn't manage to get that one on target. But they did have 43 searches in the opposition box, a season high. Another season high for crosses, 46, the fourth most we've seen from any team this season.

8:47And Manchester United's lowest possession percentage this season as well, just 34%. But they held on for an all-important victory that has them climbing to fifth place, missing so many senior players tonight. It was time for some of the understudies to step up, and they absolutely did that. There's two of them, Patrick Dorgon, 19-year-old Aidan Heaven, who repelled attack after attack at the centre of United's defence. We can hear from both of them with Juliet Farrington. Aidan, Patrick, congratulations. Aidan, first of all, that felt big tonight. It was finally a clean sheet, you know. We've been waiting for this for a couple of weeks, and I'm just so happy, you know.

9:30And, yeah, this guy here, you know, helped us get there. So, yeah, I'm just so thankful for everyone that helped us. And this guy here, Patrick, I spoke to you before the game. You were feeling confident. You said you'd yourself had watched Newcastle and you thought of a way of trying to expose them. What a hit. Yeah, it was a good hit. I didn't know I could do that, but I was very happy to score my first goal in the stadium as well. So it was amazing. Yeah, just talk us through that goal though, because Ruben Amarin has spoken about perhaps maybe a little bit of nervousness and not so much confidence.

10:04But in the last few games and tonight you just look so comfortable. Yeah, I just took what he told me to work on my confidence and stuff. And yeah, I think I did well today. And I just looked at the ball and I saw it drop and I just hit it. Did he talk to you about your finish or how to finish even? No, I've been practicing and training. So I think that's what helped me. And Aidan, in terms of the defence, you talk about the clean sheet and so much has been made about this formation, whether it's a back three, a back four, and goodness knows what it was by the end. Did it feel more balanced for you tonight?

10:41Yeah, it was different again. Obviously, I was playing on the right side. It's obviously my weaker foot. But the manager, we played loads of formations with him. And whatever he does, we know it's going to work. And obviously, you saw today. I'm just so proud of the team. And so much has been made as well about the opportunity to go fifth in the Premier League. and you've had chances before, but you did it tonight. Just talking about being in the top five or fifth, what does that do for confidence? Yeah, obviously, I think as Manchester United, we belong in Europe and we want to get back there next season.

11:18So obviously, we can even push for the top four, possibly win the league, you know. Anything's possible and, yeah, we're just going to keep trying. But do you feel you are progressing and you are developing to be that top five, top four team? Yeah, for sure. You see the fighting spirit we show today the whole game, defending as a team, so for sure. And when we get players back as well, we'll be even stronger, so yeah. Well, you scored the goal. You were the match winner. Aidan is player of the match. I mean, you want to share it as well, but what would you like to say? What would you like to say about Patrick first?

11:49I just want to thank him, you know, because I was just in front of him when he volleyed it and I knew as soon as it dropped, he was going to score. But yeah, I'm just thankful, you know, to him. And yeah, that's it. And what would you like to say about Aidan? Yeah, Aidan did really well today. He cleared a lot of balls and defended really well, so I'm happy for him. Well done. Let you go back in the dressing room. Would you like to do the honours? Yeah, yeah, bro. Sorry, bro. It's fine. He deserves it, but it's my first one. If it was my second one, it would be his, bro. Your first and his first goal.

12:23Yeah, it's fine, bro. We share it. Thank you. Thank you. Well done. Thank you. always go to forward players or goal scorers, especially when Gary Neville is on commentary. I like the confidence. Maybe we could win the league this season, but let's not... Bit of a stretch, I think. Let's not dwell too much on that. Simplify this for us, Roy. What have we seen here tonight? We've seen a big win for United. We've seen all the stats before the game when Bruno's missing, etc. So for to come out, win an ugly game. And what the players have mentioned there, particularly from a defensive point of view, keeping that clean sheet.

13:00We saw the stats, the amount of crosses that were going into the box, amount of times they had to clear their lines. Obviously, that's what they're supposed to do. But there has to be pride in your defending. We've spoke many times over the last few months about how good United are going forward. The goal was fantastic, a special goal, great moment for him. But if you really want to make progress at a football club, it's got to be about being defensively solid and keeping clean sheets. It has to be. Second clean sheet of the season. Yeah, of course, but it's, listen, it's a start in terms of getting momentum for these younger players because they would have heard over the last few days about the constant chat in the media is about players who are missing and Bruno.

13:35That's what happens when your top lads are missing. So I said before the game, but you still have to find something. Yeah, you change your system, they roll their sleeves up towards the end, but that's part of football, surviving, hanging in there, digging out results. Your memory can play tricks. People go back to the teams I played and as if we played well every week, we didn't. But we dug in and you found results. You mentioned there about winning league titles, keeping clean sheets. Again, they're not quite ready for that. But they have to start somewhere. And what I enjoyed a little bit about it, there was certainly pride in it.

14:02I've not seen that pride. There's no good us sitting here like a few weeks ago, 4-4 against Bournemouth. It was a mad game. Chances are, that's fine every now and again, but you're not going to go anywhere with that type of kind of attitude. So they almost had a reething, I think, the last week or two. We have to go back and be hard to beat. They've done that tonight. They obviously have to kick on now. Are you surprised by the outcome, Jamie, given the personnel that have been involved for both teams, really? Yeah, I think you asked me at the start of the game who I thought was favourites for the game, and I couldn't see how United were favourites when you see the team.

14:32And when you think of the team that finished the game, no way. So it'll be a huge disappointment, I think, for Newcastle to not get anything from the game. But as I said before, I don't think they deserved it. I know when you look at the stats, they're so far in Newcastle's favour. But you've got to take into account who you're up against and what that Manchester United team was at the end. so you'd expect those types of numbers. But the big one for me was the obvious one, no goals, but only one big chance. And you think of how many crosses they put in, the most Newcastle have put in in any game this season.

15:01There's only one I can remember with real quality from Murphy in that first half. The amount of times, so the lack of quality from Newcastle around the box, not so much with the finishing, but the creation means that they didn't deserve anything from the game. We've talked a lot about tactics and formations and setups tonight as well. What part, if any, did that play in the outcome of the game? I think you'd have to say it played a part in the first half. Manchester United played well. But listen, I think they've played well in the last couple of weeks and we've almost been second-guessing them.

15:30And is it a system change? We've been trying to look at it. I wasn't quite sure looking at it on Monday Night Football. I just thought he was asking people to do different things within the same system. But as I said before, the game, most teams now with and without the ball almost have a different set-up. But tonight it was just so easy to tell. There was no sort of interchanging sort of systems. but what happened second half, even though I'm saying Newcastle didn't deserve anything, that's not the plan. That's not the plan for Manchester United to play like that second half and to be dominated so much without the ball and to be forced back so much without the ball.

16:02And then the manager made changes and substitutions. It looked like at times, did he go back to the system at Yoruba right back, something he did, and asked him Villa. But he probably had to do something at that time. I was surprised at the substitutions at the end in terms of Martinez and Shaw. Not so much because he brought them off, because who knows what the fitness issues are. If he brought them off 10 or 15 minutes earlier, you might say, OK, there might be an injury issue. But because it was so late, it felt strange. But listen, tonight is not a night for that. When you think of what United have been through, the players they've been missing.

16:37AFCON, the problems they've had tonight, bringing obviously young Fletcher on, Mount going off at half-time. It's a brilliant win for them all. The players would have felt the pressure. It was definitely a bit of relief as well at the end. and I'm not a great one for the players going on the pitch applauding everybody, but there was a feeling tonight, you're going, this is an important game for the club. It really is. For all the negativity the players are missing, again, particularly Bruno missing. And there was that vibe before the game going, probably Newcastle are almost slight favourites.

17:04So I think the players would have felt that pressure. And when you get young players coming on and performing, again, getting a win under the belts, that would give them huge belief and confidence going forward. Because when you get a result in front of the fans, and it gives them a good taste for it because they've had too many setbacks, particularly going back to last year. And this year has still been in negativity, even though the signs have been a little bit better. So I think the players will certainly enjoy that tonight. And we were asking the question before the game, who would emerge as a potential match winner tonight?

17:32I don't think any of us were talking about Patrick Dorgue, were we? No, no, but what a brilliant goal. We said it at half-time. He had a long time to think about it. He's come across him, but his technique at the very end was absolutely fantastic. Now we've been critical since he's come to the club about his technique, about his end product, but that was absolutely brilliant. I think he's grown in confidence from his last couple of games and this is absolutely a brilliant goal. Keepers should maybe do better, but if you watch him here, you have a long time to think about it. Look, anything could happen here and he's thinking, fair play to him, kept his eye on the ball, got over it.

18:04And to be the winning goal as well on the top of the clean sheet, happy days for the kid. Yeah, I mean, listen, he's got the winning goal tonight. I know Manchester United a few days ago for Villa Park, he was involved in that goal, wasn't he, in terms of being really aggressive, wearing the ball, then getting it into Cunyre as well, playing a big part in that. So, yeah, it hasn't been easy for him. At times, he's going to play wing-back. He's played both sides, hasn't he? Wing-back position as well. Could that work for him right midfield? I mentioned at half-time that the three goals that he scored previous to tonight, it all came playing on the right side, the right midfield for Lecce.

18:37Well, that's the way, isn't it? You know, your players, you know, left foot to play on the right, don't he? You know, cutting in on that left foot. It remains to be seen. I think the big question for the manager is, is this a system that he's going to stick with or is it because of the position he's found himself in in terms of players that he's got, players who are out injured? So, I think it remains to be seen what he'll be doing over these coming weeks. But one thing we should say, if fuel does before the game, and it definitely fuels Eddie Howe and Newcastle, because there was a little mention about his goalkeeper going down, wasn't he?

19:04In that first half to try and get that message on. So, if Ruben Amner can go forward and almost keep that way. You're going into games, you're not 100 % sure what the opposition are going to do. That's never an easy place to come up against an opposition where you're not quite sure what they're going to do, who they're going to play. And maybe that can be something that can add to improve United. Yeah, maybe they'd catch them out. Yeah, maybe they have been a bit predictable. You know what's coming with them. But tonight, yeah, definitely cut everybody out. Well, how about the emergence of Aiden Heaven as well?

19:33The absence of Willic to Maguire, two senior figures at the back. Martinez was back tonight. but what about the game that he had Roy? He'd done very well and I think the game suited him, sometimes it was nice to be particularly in the first half up to be against an out-and-out strike and enjoy that physical challenge, he's certainly got a lot of composure in the ball and he's learned his trade, you know these are all different tests for him, obviously clearing your lines and these type of things, these are basic parts of defending, because you've still got to do it and then when you back it up with a clean sheet, it just gives you loads of confidence you saw his interview after the game, they're obviously very naive talking about winning the league, etc.

20:09But you love that in young kids as well. They bring a raw energy. And even their balls come into the area. The old-fashioned centre-halves get your head in it. And you see the reaction after the game. It means a lot to the kid. And their clearance is outstanding. I thought he was brilliant. And listen, the big thing that stands out, I think in these last few weeks, he's playing alongside Euro. Two young centre-backs. It's not going to be easy being there myself. You make mistakes. You have to learn on the job a little bit. But let's not forget, Euro costs£50 million. and he's the one who's actually step out you know sit out and also I think an interesting point that we made before the game we weren't quite sure where Alessandro Martinez was going to play so you've got two left footed players playing alongside each other in the back yes we thought it was a back three but when it's a back four the younger guy's the one who's sort of playing on the right side normally it'd be maybe the more experienced player maybe take that little bit of responsibility but credit to him it wasn't easy for him it wasn't on his natural side as well and it didn't seem like a problem for him at all yeah we thought it was it was going to be a back three.

21:05It would have been an old left-footed back three. Is that possible? Listen, that might be one of the reasons why. The change, you know, we don't know. You know, only the manager will know the reason why he did it. And that could be one of the reasons also.

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21:59so Newcastle United drew a blank tonight how they could have done with this man in his pomp Alan Shearer and you can hear all about his transfer to his hometown club in a special show that comes next after us on Sky Sports Premier League I'm afraid it's another defeat for Newcastle United on the road it's turning into a very frustrating season of travel so far for Newcastle United who on Boxing Day will head back to the North East empty-handed we can hear from Eddie Howe with Juliet Farrington Eddie I guess the most frustrating thing about that game tonight was nearly every single stat was in your favour but you just couldn't convert in those final moments yeah second half was a lot better than the first I think from our perspective but we didn't do enough.

22:51We had to do more and it wasn't through a lack of effort. I thought we were very dominant in that second period. I felt if we scored we could go on and win the game but it didn't happen and we were hugely disappointed. If we go back to the very start were you caught out a little bit by the way that Manchester United set up tonight? I actually thought we started the game really well for the first 15-20 minutes but then I think we were maybe slightly rocked by the goal I don't think we responded well to that moment. And I was a bit disappointed at half-time with our inability to grab control of the game because I thought it was there for us to take.

23:27And I don't think that it was a tactical issue for us. I don't think we looked as physically good as we did in our last game against Chelsea where we were physically outstanding. But we got better in the second half and played with good rhythm, dominated the ball and it was just the goal that was missing. When you talk about that physicality then, what do you put that down to? It can be a huge number of things. I don't know. I just didn't think we looked... I mean, against Chelsea, I thought physically we were excellent, but we weren't as physically good. Because you did control those large parts.

23:56In the second half, you were a lot better in the game. After Aaron Ramsdale went down, I think it was in the ninth minute or so, you did seem to get to grips a lot more with what was going on here tonight. Yeah, I don't think there was a tactical problem for us. At any stage in the game, I think we're disappointed with how we defended the goal. Long throws were something that we prepared for, so we're disappointed with that action. And then we're disappointed with our actions in terms of trying to score that final finish because I think we created the moments in the second half. We cut through them a number of times.