Premier League: Amorim praises Manchester United’s spirit in Boxing Day victory over Newcastle

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admitted his team’s Boxing Day victory over Newcastle United on Friday was far from pretty, but praised the grit and togetherness that got them over the line.

Patrick Dorgu struck in the first half before Amorim’s men fended off an onslaught of Newcastle chances after the break, especially in the final minutes, to move up to fifth in the Premier League standings.

Amorim said Friday that desire and solidarity were the difference.

«Especially if you see the second half, we managed to defend, sometimes with six at the back, but we suffered together and that is a good feeling,» he told reporters. “If we always have this spirit, we will win so many games.

“I think it’s something we need, to have the feeling that sometimes we can win without playing so well, that we can win games with the spirit and with the togetherness in the team.”

READ | Man Utd rises to fifth place with victory over Newcastle

It was United’s second clean sheet of the season and came despite 32 percent possession and with a depleted team without a number of key players, including captain Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo.

“The feeling is good, but if you compare it to other games, today we suffer so much more, but at certain moments we risk everything,” Amorim said. «We were in the penalty area, we put our body in front of the goal, we defended every cross. So that’s a good feeling to have the clean sheet.»

“But if you look at the game, we have had so many games where we controlled the opponent so much better and we got (a) goal – sometimes you just need a bit of luck.”

Amorim praised Dorgu, 21, who scored his first goal for United – a stunning volley into the bottom corner – after starting in an advanced role on the right wing.

“You put him in a position more up front, the responsibility is not the same,” the manager said. “He has more freedom to lose the ball and I think that has allowed Patrick to play better.”

He also had kind words for 19-year-old defender Ayden Heaven, who is becoming a mainstay in United’s backline largely thanks to injuries and was named man of the match.

“I’m very happy with Ayden,” Amorim said. «You feel that he is getting better every game. It will be very difficult (for another player) to take his place.»

The only negative of the night was the loss of Mason Mount after the first half due to injury.

“He felt something at halftime,” Amorim said.

Published on December 27, 2025