On Boxing Day this year, there was only one Premier League game: the clash between Manchester United and Newcastle United. The first half was entertaining, but the second half was quite one-sided. Once again, it was decided by a dream goal.
Traditionally, Boxing Day is a busy day in the Premier League, but not this year: due to the tight schedule and media commitments, there was only one game on Boxing Day in 2025 – which was attractive in name, as Manchester United hosted Newcastle at Old Trafford. In sporting terms, however, it was a mid-table duel, with the seventh-placed team hosting the eleventh-placed team. Both teams had won only one of their last four games, and ManUnited had also lost captain Bruno Fernandes to injury in their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in Birmingham. Coach Ruben Amorim brought in the experienced Casemiro to replace the Portuguese in midfield and also put his faith in Martinez in defense instead of Yoro (bench).
Amorim surprises with change of system
Magpies coach Eddie Howe made no changes to his lineup, fielding the same eleven that drew 2-2 with Chelsea FC. That meant that the two Germans, Woltemade, who had shone with a brace against the Blues, and Thiaw, were in the starting line-up. Newcastle initially faced a bold Red Devils side, who surprisingly played in a 4-2-3-1 formation rather than their usual three-man line-up, and had to survive one or two tricky situations. On the one hand, there were concerns about goalkeeper Ramsdale, who had to receive treatment early on for a knock to his left hamstring but was ultimately able to continue, and on the other hand, there were some decent chances for the hosts through Casemiro (3′) and Matheus Cunha (11′). At the other end, Bruno Guimaraes caused a stir with a header from a corner (12′).
Woltemade puts Man United ahead
It was an entertaining game with a lot of pace and intensity. At a stage when the Magpies had gained the upper hand, the visitors conceded the opening goal to the record champions – and it was a cracker: Woltemade headed a long throw-in from Shaw to the feet of Dorgu, who executed a technically demanding volley from 15 meters into the net, ensuring that all decibel levels around Old Trafford were probably blown away (24th minute). It was the first Premier League goal for the 21-year-old Dane, who was signed from Lecce in the summer.
That was also the score at halftime, partly because Manchester failed to capitalize on their counterattacking opportunities (Dorgu, 34th minute, Matheus Cunha, 36th minute) and Newcastle, despite their best efforts, were completely toothless in the final third and failed to get their strikers into position against an attentive defense.
Defensive battle in Manchester
The Red Devils went into the second half with 18-year-old Jack Fletcher, son of former ManUnited player Darren (292 games from 2000 to 2015), and far too much passivity. Newcastle increased the pressure and played their way into the opponent’s penalty area, but the visitors still failed to develop any real cutting edge.
It wasn’t until the 62nd minute that Hall’s shot off the crossbar really got the home fans’ hearts racing, and they must have felt a huge sense of relief shortly afterwards when a tricky handball penalty by Martinez was rightly decided in their favor after a VAR check (64′).
Manchester suddenly found themselves in a defensive battle, but held their own despite enormous pressure from their opponents. This was also due to the fact that the Magpies lacked punch and failed to capitalize on the few clear chances they had, such as Gordon (67th, 85th) or substitute Joelinton (80th). Amorim also showed courage during this phase and, in the closing stages when the Magpies had pulled out all the stops, threw another youngster, Fredricson (20), into the fray. In the end, he helped secure the narrow victory, partly because Miley missed a great opportunity to equalize in stoppage time when he found himself relatively unmarked from 11 meters out (90+1).
In England, as usual for this time of year, things are now happening thick and fast. Both teams are back in action on Tuesday: Manchester host bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton (9:15 p.m.), while Newcastle travel to Burnley FC (8:30 p.m.).
