28/12/2025

SUNDAY | DEC 28, 2025

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

Malaysian Paper

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon (centre) is challenged by Manchester United’s Mason Mount (left) and Manuel Ugarte during yesterday’s English Premier League clash at Old Trafford. – REUTERSPIC

Boxing Day cheer for Devils Amorim says spirit shown against Newcastle can win Man Utd ‘so many games’

MANCHESTER UNITED had to weather a second-half storm for a 1-0 Boxing Day win over Newcastle but for Ruben Amorim the performance showed his side are ready to take another step forward. Patrick Dorgu’s superb 24th minute volley was a worthy winner of the game but United spent most of the second half defending as Newcastle had 16 attempts at goal in all – tellingly only three of them on target – while United had just 33.4% pos session, their lowest in the League this season. This was United’s first clean sheet in 10 games, with the last coming on Senne Lammens’ debut in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Oct 4. Amorim has already seen his side take wins over Liverpool and Chelsea this season but, when asked if the manner of this one made it one of his most satisfying at the club, he agreed. “Especially if you see the sec ond half,” he said. “We managed to defend sometimes with a back six but we suffer together and that is a

good feeling. “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 sometimes without playing so well, we can win games with the spirit and with a togetherness in the team.” On a night when United were looking for somebody to step up in the absence of injured talis man Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu put in arguably his best 45 min utes in a United shirt in the first half, highlighted by the decisive goal. Only a month ago Amorim was demanding more from the Denmark winger, saying: “You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball”. Asked about the turnaround in the 21-year-old’s fortunes, Amorim said: “It is the normal life of a player, sometimes you are in the good moments, some times you struggle, sometimes it depends on the team or the game. “Maybe the game today with a lot of transitions is good for his pace, for his ability to drive

with the ball. “He played in a position where he could take more risks and sometimes that helps when you don’t feel the responsibility. I think he did well.” Several Newcastle players collapsed to their feet at the final whistle after failing to break down a United defence that looked much stronger lining up with a back four and with Lisandro Martinez making his first start since February. Mason Mount impressed in the first half but was taken off at half-time and replaced with Jack Fletcher – son of former Man United midfielder Darren Fletcher. The

tially losing more players to injury. “He felt something at half time. He wanted to go on, and that is also a good thing, but we cannot lose more players.” Defeat leaves Newcastle with only one win and six points from nine games on the road this season. “It’s a difficult one for us to work out because I thought there was a real opportunity for us tonight, especially in the first half, to grab the game, espe cially in midfield,” Howe said. “I felt we turned the ball over too often to gain the control we wanted. The second half was much better, we controlled the game much better, we created chances but not the outstanding chances you need to score so we’re desperately disappointed. “You could make an argu ment we should have got some thing today but ultimately we haven’t. We have had that feel ing too many times this season. “Today was a step forward in terms of performance but nobody really wants to hear that.” – The Independent

older Fletcher was at Old Trafford to see his son play in the game. With United miss

ing a handful of players including Bruno Fernandes, Amorim told Sky Sports Mount was taken off to avoid poten

United’s Patrick Dorgu celebrates after scoring the opening goal yesterday. -AFPPIC

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com