Ruben Amorim, manager of Manchester United, lauded the 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Boxing Day as one of the most satisfying of his tenure. This sentiment stemmed from the challenging circumstances under which the win was achieved, with Manchester United severely depleted due to a multitude of injuries and international call-ups. The crucial goal came from a stunning strike by Patrick Dorgu, a natural left-back who was deployed as a makeshift right winger, marking his first goal for the club.

Amorim's squad faced significant hurdles, missing key players such as Bruno Fernandes due to a hamstring injury, and his identified replacement, Kobbie Mainoo, also sidelined. Senior centre-backs Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire were unavailable, alongside Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui who were away on AFCON duty. Further complicating matters, Mason Mount was withdrawn at half-time, replaced by 18-year-old Jack Fletcher. Lisandro Martínez, making his first start since a knee ligament injury in February, and Luke Shaw also had to be substituted before full-time, as did Casemiro. These extensive absences forced Amorim to rely on a blend of youngsters and outcasts, including Tyrell Malacia, who made his first appearance since January after being frozen out over the summer, and Tyler Fredricson, who primarily plays with the Under-21s.

Despite the adversity, Amorim's tactical adjustments proved effective. For the first time since his arrival from Sporting CP more than a year ago, he started a game with a back four. While the system worked well, particularly in the first half, Amorim emphasized his profound satisfaction with the desire and determination displayed by his players in such a difficult moment. He highlighted the team's spirit and togetherness, stating, "If we have always this spirit we are going to win so many games. I think it is something we need to feel. That we can win games with the spirit and togetherness." This collective effort saw United secure only their second clean sheet of the season and, notably, win a Premier League game without Bruno Fernandes for the first time since March 2022.

Newcastle United, meanwhile, struggled to capitalize on their opponents' vulnerabilities. Despite firing 16 shots, Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens only had to make a few saves, with just three efforts hitting the target. Full-back Lewis Hall came closest in the second half, striking the crossbar. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed his disappointment, acknowledging his team's inability to create outstanding chances and their continued struggles away from home, having scored just seven goals in nine away games and winning only once away from St James' Park this season. United's victory was achieved with just 33% possession, their lowest in a league match ending in victory since beating Manchester City in January 2023.

The victory allows Amorim's United to quietly build a run of performances, providing much-needed comfort as he navigates a challenging period without several key players. The win has pushed United up to fifth in the table, hinting at the possibility of Champions League qualification if they can maintain consistency. The manager has also identified players like Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, and the returning Martínez, along with Matheus Cunha stepping up in Mbeumo's absence, as individuals he can increasingly rely upon. While this current strategy is a temporary plan to cope with immediate challenges, Amorim remains hopeful that his depleted squad can sustain their challenge for European places until Mbeumo, Amad, De Ligt, and crucially, Fernandes are fit to make their comebacks. The fight and spirit shown against Newcastle offer a promising sign for the remainder of the season.