Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day may not have been a triumph of control or fluency, but it was one that carried significant meaning for Ruben Amorim. For the first time in his 13 months at Old Trafford, the United head coach abandoned his trusted back-three system, opting instead for a back four that delivered a rare clean sheet and three invaluable points.
The result was achieved in uncharacteristic fashion. United had just 33.4% possession, were outshot 16-9, and spent long stretches defending deep. Yet Patrick Dorgu’s superb first-half volley and a collective defensive effort ensured the hosts prevailed, climbing to fifth in the Premier League table with 29 points and offering evidence that Amorim’s side can now win ugly when required.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Amorim admitted the win felt different to several home matches this season. He also briefly touched on the absence of injured captain Bruno Fernandes, acknowledging the challenge of reshaping the side without its chief playmaker while praising the group’s ability to adapt under pressure.
“Yes,” Amorim said when asked if it was one of his most satisfying victories. “The feeling is good. If you compare it to other games, we suffered so much more today, but in certain moments we put everything on the line.”
“We are defending every cross. Especially in the second half, sometimes we managed to defend with a back six. We had games where we controlled the opponent much better, but it is a good feeling to have a clean sheet. We suffered together.”
“Sometimes you need to adapt and there is no tactic in that moment,” he added. “If you see the end of the game, we were defending with six players. It was about surviving and doing everything for the result.”
The tactical shift was striking. Amorim had even joked earlier in the season that not even the Pope could convince him to change shape, yet here he was unveiling a back four after warming his players up in a back three. The decision paid off, with United recording only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Dorgu’s performance encapsulated the benefits of the switch. Freed from the heavier defensive load of a wing-back role, he thrived higher up the pitch and produced arguably his best display in a United shirt. Amorim later explained that giving the young winger more freedom helped him play with greater confidence.
Beyond the formation, the bigger takeaway was unity. United defended crosses with desperation, dropped into a back six late on, and showed a collective resilience that has often been missing. It was not pretty, but for Amorim, it was proof that substance can sometimes matter more than style.
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