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- Man United vs. Newcastle score
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A glorious strike by Patrick Dorgu was enough to see Manchester United past a spirited but ultimately wasteful Newcastle at Old Trafford on Friday by a 1-0 score.
Dorgu’s goal, his first for Manchester United, was all Premier League fans had to savour with their famous traditional Boxing Day schedule reduced to just one match.
Dorgu was sent free thanks to Ruben Amorim’s change to a 4-2-3-1 system, moved to a winger role and allowed to attack at will. The Denmark international took full advantage, consistently hounding the Newcastle full-backs with his pace and combination ability. While Newcastle put forth a spirited effort through the second half, it wasn’t enough to breach United’s goal, with Lewis Hall striking the crossbar on the hour mark.
The win for Man United pushed the Red Devils into fifth in the Premier League table, their third win over their last six league matches and just their second clean sheet of the season. Newcastle, meanwhile, remained stuck in 11th, unable to put their consistent road struggles to bed.
AllSportsPeople followed the Man United vs. Newcastle match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
Man United vs. Newcastle final score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| Man United | 1 | Dorgu (24') |
| Newcastle | 0 | – |
Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Keep track of every game and every goal via SN's live Premier League scoreboard
Starting lineups:
Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Lammens (GK) — 2. Dalot, 6. L. Martinez (Fredericson, 88'), 26. Heaven, 23. Shaw (Malacia, 88') — 25. Ugarte, 18. Casemiro (Yoro, 61') — 13. Dorgu, 7. Mount (J. Fletcher, 46'), 10. Cunha — 30. Sesko (Zirkzee, 61').
Newcastle (4-3-3, right to left): 32. Ramsdale (GK) — 67. Miley, 12. Thiaw, 5. Schar, 3. Hall — 39. Guimaraes, 8. Tonali, 41. Ramsey (Joelinton, 68') — 23. Murphy (Barnes, 68'), 27. Woltemade (Wissa, 68'), 10. Gordon.
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Man United vs. Newcastle stats
| Man United | Stat | Newcastle |
| 9 | Shots | 16 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 3 |
| 1.17 | Expected goals | 1.18 |
| 34% | Possession | 66% |
| 245 | Accurate passes | 509 |
| 2 | Corners | 11 |
| 9 | Fouls | 5 |
| 2 | Yellow cards | 1 |
Man United vs. Newcastle live updates, highlights from Premier League match
FULLTIME: Man United 1-0 Newcastle
That's the final whistle, and Man United survive! It's an odd one, as United felt both under consistent pressure and completely comfortable at the same time. Newcastle were in completely command through the entirety of the final 45 minutes, but never really created many true chances on net other than a couple of nervy moments for Senne Lammens of his own making.
It was highly disappointing from a Newcastle perspective, as they created the pressure they wanted but were unable to capitalise on it whatsoever.
Ruben Amorim's change of shape did the trick in Bruno Fernandes's absence, as Man United are right in the thick of the European battle now!
88th min: Lisandro Martinez is applauded off and replaced by Tyler Fredericson. Tyrell Malacia also takes over for Luke Shaw.
Newcastle are still very much in control, as Patrick Dorgu takes an absolute RIP of a shot straight between the eyes. He's fine.
Seven minutes of added time are shown.
85th min: Chance, Newcastle! There's a HUGE opportunity for the Magpies, who are in full control, but it's wasted! A lovely move sees Harvey Barnes get free down the right on a vertical run, and he cuts the ball back to Anthony Gordon near the top of the penalty area, but the Newcastle man blazes his open shot well high!
78th min: YIKES! Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens leaves his net wide open to come and punch away a corner at the near post, and he fails to get the ball clear whatsoever. The home defensive unit manages to pick up the slack, however, and hoof the ball away before anyone from Newcastle can deposit the ball into the open net!
77th min: Eddie Howe brings on Joe Willock to replace Sandro Tonali, with the Italian having been booked about 10 minutes earlier.
73rd min: A big chance for Man United goes begging as Diogo Dalot receives a wonderful cross-field pass and strikes it just inches over the crossbar on the volley. However, replay shows he was likely offside on the pass so it probably would have been wiped it off had he converted the opportunity.
73rd min: Sandro Tonali is booked for sending Patrick Dorgu flying to the turf.
68th min: Eddie Howe makes his first changes of the game, with a triple substitution. He brings Yoane Wissa on to replace Nick Woltemade, while Harvey Barnes takes over for Jacob Murphy and Joelinton enters in place of Jacob Ramsey.
Luke Shaw receives the first yellow card of the match shortly after, shown a caution for taking too long with a throw-in.
63rd min: There's a long check by VAR for handball, as a Fabian Schar shot off a Newcastle corner strikes the outstretched arm of Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine is in the process of pushing the Newcastle player he's marking, and Schar's effort strikes him in the elbow. It's cleared, however, as the ball hit Martinez's chest first and directed onto his arm.
62nd min: Chance, Newcastle! NOW LEWIS MILEY SMASHES THE WOODWORK! The Newcastle full-back takes aim from outside the penalty area, and it's a wonderful dipping effort that just doesn't quite come down enough, clattering the crossbar at real pace! Senne Lammens was nowhere close with his dive!
60th min: Chance, Man United! BENJAMIN SESKO HITS THE CROSSBAR! Bruno Guimaraes is caught in possession and Sesko ends up on the ball one-on-one with a defender, and after doing a few stepovers he rips a left-footed effort towards the upper-left corner but gets just a hair under it and rattles the woodwork!
It's his last action of the match, as Sesko is replaced by Joshua Zirkzee. Casemiro also exits in favour of Lenny Yoro, likely sending Lisandro Martinez into midfield.
51st min: Chance, Newcastle! A shot from Fabian Schar off a corner looks to be trouble for Senne Lammens at the near post, but Patrick Dorgu blocks it clear before the ball reaches his goalkeeper! A key intervention on a shot that would have been real trouble had it found its way through!
2nd half kickoff: They're back under way at Old Trafford! There's one change to report, as Jack Fletcher, one of the two twin sons of Darren Fletcher on the bench today, comes on for Man United to replace Mason Mount.
Will Man United put themselves in a further position of strength in the race for European places? Or will Newcastle mount a comeback and negate the slim United lead?
It's Boxing Day's most successful side against the least successful one!
The team with the most Premier League victories on Boxing Day?
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 26, 2025
Manchester United (22).
The team with the most Premier League defeats on Boxing Day?
Newcastle United (16, level with Aston Villa).
Follow the action from Old Trafford with us.Https://t.co/ntlsNs9mz1 pic.twitter.com/0GCOXUSRM1
HALFTIME: Man United 1-0 Newcastle
A relatively sleepy first half saw Patrick Dorgu's impressive strike give Man United a deserved lead.
Newcastle have succumbed to their usual road woes so far, as they do not look up for the match. It's largely been United who have had the majority of the little attacking impetus in this match so far.
Can Eddie Howe spark a comeback in the second half?
35th min: Matheus Cunha takes a shot from a tight angle that hooks well wide of the near post. Patrick Dorgu looks an absolute menace right now, freed of his defensive responsibilities in this back-four.
24th min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! PATRICK DORGU OPENS THE SCORING! THAT'S TOP CLASS!
Manchester United force a save from Aaron Ramsdale at the near post, and on the ensuing throw-in the Red Devils take it long, and with the ball headed up in the air, Dorgu rips it on the volley and deposits a beautiful finish past the goalkeeper at the near post!
The goal survives a quick VAR check for offside, but Benjamin Sesko isn't interfering with play, so the goal stands! It's the first of Dorgu's Man United career!
Watch Dorgu goal in USA:
PATRICK DORGU STRIKES WITH A SENSATIONAL HIT. 💥 pic.twitter.com/QQIToewKFs
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 26, 2025
VIDEO: Watch Dorgu goal in UK | Watch in Canada
12th min: Chance, Man United! Benjamin Sesko misses the target with a chance near the penalty spot! He receives a lateral ball with his back to goal, and knowing he would be closed down imminently, decides to shoot while doing a pirouette, but can't hit the target.
9th min: There's an early problem for Newcastle as Aaron Ramsdale is down on his knees holding the back of his left hamstring and requiring treatment. The broadcasters indicate that they quietly heard the Magpies' goalkeeper wasn't feeling 100% before the match, and he may have to come off early on.
Nick Pope, who himself just came back from a knock, is warming up on the touchline. Surely Ramsdale can't continue like this, right? Seems it would be a misstep from Eddie Howe not to concede his goalkeeper is less than fully fit...
2nd min: Ruben Amorim, who once famously said not even the Pope could convince him to change his tactics, appears to have instituted a back four, with Diogo Dalot on the right and Luke Shaw on the left. The broadcast immediately indicates United have trained a back four all week. A wrinkle!
Kickoff: They're under way at Old Trafford! The only Boxing Day fixture on the 2025/26 Premier League calendar is now in play!
Man United vs. Newcastle: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more
15 mins to kickoff: Manchester United have been, unquestionably, horrific without Bruno Fernandes. Since the 2020/21 season when Fernandes first became a regular in the United squad, he has been absent from the starting lineup seven times — the club has lost six of those games, drawing the other and failing to win any of them.
Lately, however, the numbers are even worse. They have lost each of their last five Premier League games without Fernandes in the starting XI, outscored 15-4 against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Wolves, shut out in three of those matches.
30 mins to kickoff: One surprise absentee for Newcastle is Anthony Elanga, who has been left out of the squad entirely after picking up a knock against Chelsea last time out.
Eddie Howe backed Elanga's recent poor form, saying "you'd see a showreel of a player who has some unbelievable attributes" if fans would look at his positive moments in a Newcastle shirt, instead of focusing on the negative. Unfortunately, it won't be today where he gets his next shot to showcase those abilities.\
45 mins to kickoff: Lisandro Martinez makes his first start since February 2, when he started against Crystal Palace and tore his ACL in the 82nd minute.
He also wears the captain's armband with Bruno Fernandes out injured. Martinez last wore the armband in a December 30 match last season against — Newcastle! He played 65 minutes in a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Foreshadowing?
1 hour to kickoff: Ruben Amorim in the Manchester United programme says that the Red Devils "were unfortunate to lose at Villa Park," last time out. 'We had control, played well and were the better team for long periods of the game."
This is quite simply untrue. While Man United had 57% possession, football is about far more than that. They lost the expected goals battle 1.54 - 1.33, had the same amount of corners, and just three more shots than Aston Villa. United will have to be better than that to beat Newcastle today at home, end of!
🚨🗣️ Ruben Amorim in the match day programme:
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) December 26, 2025
"Good evening and welcome back to Old Trafford. I hope you all had a great Christmas Day and enjoyed
the time with your loved ones.
This is always a special time of the year to play football, and tonight, as we welcome Eddie Howe… pic.twitter.com/lVW88UvT9Z
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Lineups are in! Newcastle name an unchanged side from last time out, with Aaron Ramsdale still in goal while Joelinton remains on the bench.
For Manchester United, the only surprise is the presence of Lisandro Martinez in the starting lineup, as he replaces Bruno Fernandes as the captain while making his first start for the club in 327 days. He plays along the back in place of Lenny Yoro, who is on the bench.
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade is excited to be involved in the only Boxing Day match in the Premier League this year. He says his entire family is traveling to England to watch him play at Old Trafford!
"I always watched it when I was in Germany," Woltemade said. The Premier League's festive fixtures are a hit even with players in other countries!
"My full family is coming to England!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 26, 2025
Nick Woltemade is looking forward to being involved in Boxing Day football for the first time as Newcastle United face Manchester United! 🎁 pic.twitter.com/apuKqkQFI7
2 hours to kickoff: Manchester United will be missing Bruno Fernandes today, as the captain is sidelined with a hamstring issue.
United have not won any of their last seven Premier League games without the Portugal international in the starting lineup, dating back to the 2022/23 season, losing six and drawing one.
They'll need to improve that number if they wish to remain afloat in the race for European places through January, as Fernandes is expected to miss around three weeks.
"We have a plan [for January], we will look to sign a player if we believe he's the future of the club"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 26, 2025
Ruben Amorim on Man United's plans for January and says he expects Bruno Fernandes to return from injury in three weeks 🔴 pic.twitter.com/O5CtvYIZt5
Man United vs. Newcastle kick off time
This Premier League match kicks off from Old Trafford on December 26, also known as Boxing Day, at 8 p.m. Local time in Manchester, England. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Fri, Dec. 26 | 3 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Fri, Dec. 26 | 12 p.m. PT |
| UK | Fri, Dec. 26 | 8 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Dec. 27 | 7 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, Dec. 27 | 1:30 a.m. IST |
Man United vs. Newcastle lineups, team news
Manchester United are without intrepid captain Bruno Fernandes who went down with a hamstring injury and will likely miss about a month of action.
They are also missing a host of players to AFCON duty, including Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui all of whom are regulars within the squad.
Additionally, Kobbie Mainoo and Matthijs de Ligt are both down with slight injuries and face a fitness test to be ready for today's match.
Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Lammens (GK) — Dalot, L. Martinez, Heaven, Shaw — Ugarte, Casemiro — Dorgu, Mount, Cunha — Sesko.
Man United subs: Bayindir (GK), Fredericson, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee.
Newcastle have a lengthy injury list, and while it has not affected the starting lineup to a significant degree, it has massively sapped the club's depth.
The most notable injury absences include Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles, and Kieran Trippier, while Sven Botman picked up a back injury. Starting goalkeeper Nick Pope, who was a game-time decision, is on the bench while Aaron Ramsdale starts. Emil Krafth will need a bit longer to make it back from a knee issue.
The club has not yet given any information on the knee injury Tino Livramento picked up recently, but manager Eddie Howe indicated they're "hoping for good news" which relayed some positivity. Anthony Elanga was not risked after taking a knock against Chelsea.
Newcastle starting lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale (GK) — Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall — Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey — J. Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
Newcastle subs: Pope (GK), A. Murphy, Sharar, Joelinton, Willock, Barnes, Alabi, Neave, Wissa.
Man United vs. Newcastle live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | USA Network | Fubo |
| Canada | — | Fubo Canada |
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League | Sky Go |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| India | Star Sports Select 1 | JioHotstar |