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Manchester United lead Newcastle in the Premier League’s only Boxing Day fixture.
Patrick Dorgu fired a superb volley into the bottom-left corner to record his first goal for the club (24').
Benjamin Sesko struck the crossbar moments before Lewis Hall did the same at the other end.
77' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
Joe Willock is on for the booked Sandro Tonali in midfield for Newcastle, by the way.
I'm half-reluctant to mention his name, I think we could all do with a night off, but I can't help but feel Kobbie Mainoo's composure with the ball in tight spaces when under pressure deep in his own half would come in handy right now…
75' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
With around a quarter of an hour left, it's hard to tell if Manchester United are going to hang on. The game is open and it feels like it won't finish 1-0.
The latest Man United subs now see natural full-backs Dorgu (left) and Dalot (right) flanking Zirkzee up front, with Cunha and Fletcher packing the midfield in front of Ugarte.
Leny Yoro is a little out of position at right-back. Does that shape just invite pressure? The final score may give us our answer.
74' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
Sandro Tonali shoves the flying Patrick Dorgu down from behind and is booked for it.
Newcastle switch off, Lisandro Martinez pumps it long in search of Diogo Dalot with a fantastically aimed long pass.
Dalot chests it down, Lewis Hall is sleeping, and Dalot bears down on goal.
With his weaker foot, he lifts it over the onrushing Aaron Ramsdale… but it's over the bar.
If he hits the target there it's a goal. That could have been 2-0 and the game over!
Casemiro looked especially confused when he was taken off in the 61st minute for Leny Yoro.
Manchester United are similarly perturbed.
Ruben Amorim doesn't have another player in his squad who can turn defence into attack with the Brazilian's verve, and the team are beginning to get overwhelmed in the middle of the park.
Newcastle keep knocking on the door. Can Manchester United rebuff them?
Newcastle have been so much better since the break, but they are not brilliant at breaking down low-block defences.
Anthony Gordon should have scored and Newcastle look threatening when they actually cross the ball, but hopefully their three substitutes will be a little more direct and get more efforts off on goal.
Casemiro looked surprised that his number went up when he came off earlier and the last 10 minutes have only made that decision more curious.
He's regularly been substituted around the hour mark this season but often when carrying a yellow card.
And the pressure Manchester United have been under second half, they could do with him right now.
68' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
And that non-run is Nick Woltemade's last action.
He comes off for Yoane Wissa, with Harvey Barnes on for Jacob Murphy on the wing, Anthony Gordon switching from left to right, and Joelinton replacing Jacob Ramsey in midfield.
Caution to the wind from Eddie Howe.
67' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
Clever ball from Jacob Murphy, a little golf chip inside for the underlapping Anthony Gordon, who chips it across the six-yard box.
It drifts wide. Narrowly.
Striker Nick Woltemade could have got there for a tap-in and certain goal if he'd have continued his run but he stopped!
66' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
Yeah, replays show the ball did strike Lisandro Martinez's outstretched arm from Fabian Schar's shot.
However, the crucial context is that he was semi-grabbing and wrestling (mutually) Malick Thiaw inside the area.
That's why his arms were up, not to deliberately block the shot.
It was outside the silhouette of his body but it was a natural position in the sense of his physical battle with Thiaw.
VAR checks and clears it. Right decision for me, though Newcastle can consider themselves a bit unlucky in general terms.
65' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
This match has exploded into life.
Again, Fabian Schar at the back post, he strikes it on goal from the corner and it appears to hit Lisandro Martinez's arm.
Martinez down in pain, players from both sides protesting.
What happened there? Let's take a look…
63' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
It's all happening now!
Lewis Hall picks the ball up outside the box and sends a gorgeous shot dipping and swerving on the Manchester United goal but it bounces off the crossbar with Senne Lammens beaten.
Corner.
61' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
Pretty much on the hour mark and a double change for Manchester United.
United have been a bit penned back and Ruben Amorim seemingly wants a physical presence up front.
On comes Joshua Zirkzee for Benjamin Sesko.
At the back, defender Leny Yoro replaces midfielder Casemiro.
Casemiro cannot believe he's coming off, pointing to himself incredulously. He's played OK, to be fair.
61' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
Newcastle lose it and the tackle from Manchester United in midfield falls to Benjamin Sesko, who is not offside as Lewis Hall is lazily positioned on the far side and playing him onside.
Sesko dribbles forward, a step-over to work some room around Malick Thiaw, and he rather slices it, cutting across it, and it hits the crossbar.
Decent strike. And it's his last touch on the pitch!
59' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
As we approach the hour mark, there's another fine intervention from Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, who has started his first match since February today.
To his credit, he hasn't looked rusty. Nice timing and anticipation as he snapped in to clear as Lewis Miley tried to burst into the box.
57' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
A disappointing match from Anthony Gordon so far.
The talented winger has not really been involved, too wide and too deep, and was not found by a team-mate as he made a clever run into a dangerous central area behind the Manchester United defence a few moments ago to compound his frustration.
Could we see Harvey Barnes, maybe Yoane Wissa or Anthony Elanga later in this second half?
That blocked effort from Fabian Schar, which was goalbound, is the first shot Newcastle have had since the 17th minute.
Their attacking threat evaporated during the first half after falling behind.
They have come out in far more positive fashion.
51' Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle
Ooh, close. Maybe the closest Newcastle have come.
Corner to the back post, the bouncing ball falls for Fabian Schar, who can hit them, and it looks goalbound before Patrick Dorgu gets in the way.
It hits his trailing foot, wrong-foots Senne Lammens, and whistles narrowly wide. Hands on heads from Newcastle players including Schar.
Then Dorgu rises highest to nod away Lewis Hall's inswinging corner at the back post. He's having a stormer.
Mason Mount, pictured, going off could be significant.
He was practically attached to Sandro Tonali when Newcastle had the ball during the first half.
It helped keep a lid on Newcastle's midfield. That'll be Jack Fletcher's job now and it's an important one.
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Manchester United vs Newcastle live updates: Premier League latest as visitors push for levelling goal – The Athletic – The New York Times
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