1 goal, 6 duels won, 2 crosses: United star had the game of his career in chaotic win over Newcastle

Manchester United secured three points on Boxing Day in a pulsating win over Newcastle United. Ruben Amorim finally caved and moved to playing a back four, the first time he’s deviated from a 3-4-3 starting lineup at United. After a difficult second half, United held out for a 1-0 win. Dorgu unleashed The most notable beneficiary of the different formation was Patrick Dorgu, who was deployed on the right wing instead of at left wing-back. The Dane was the difference maker, providing the only goal of the game with his crisp first-half volley. He totalled two shots on target, more than anyone else in red, and also led the way with crosses, finding his man with one of the two he attempted. It wasn’t a match in which United saw much of the ball, but only Manuel Ugarte in the midfield took more touches than Dorgu’s 57. The 21-year-old found his man with 16 of his attempted 23 passes for a success rate of 70%, including one key pass. Defensive contribution Despite playing a more attacking role than usual, Dorgu was still one of United’s most effective defenders as the whole team rallied to hold on to their slender lead. Only Ugarte and Diogo Dalot made more defensive contributions than the 21-year-old, who made five clearances, two interceptions and one blocked shot. He won two tackles and wasn’t once dribbled past, gave away no fouls and was fouled three times as he continued to be a thorn in Newcastle’s side. Dorgu was characteristically tough in the duel, winning six of eight ground duels contested and two of five in the air. PlayerPatrick Dorgu Goals1 Expected goals (xG)0.13 Assists0 Expected assists (xA)0.07 Key passes1 Crosses (accurate)2 (1) Accurate passes16/23 (70%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)9/15 (60%) Passes in own half (acc.)7/8 (88%) Total shots2 Expected goals on target (xGOT)0.23 Shots on target2 Shots blocked0 Touches57 Unsuccessful touches4 Dribbles (successful)2 (1) Was fouled3 Possession lost14 Def. contributions10 Tackles (won)2 (0) Interceptions2 Clearances5 Blocked shots1 Recoveries4 Ground duels (won)8 (6) Aerial duels (won)5 (2) Dribbled past0 United ended up scraping past the Magpies by the skin of their teeth and the second half was all one-way traffic in the wrong direction. But if Amorim chooses to stick with four at the back, Dorgu should expect to reprise his more attacking role. Stats taken from sofascore. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Joe Ponting Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried. He cut his teeth working in print media for local newspapers and entered football journalism covering the grassroots game for the Non-League Paper. Here he achieved a career high, interviewing United legend Sir Bobby Charlton to get his views on the lower echelons of the football pyramid. To kill time during international breaks Joe writes album reviews and has strong views on post punk for Plus One Magazine.