Manchester United defeated Newcastle in the penultimate game of 2025 and moved up to fifth place with 29 points, level with Chelsea in fourth place. The Red Devils were without captain Bruno Fernandes and fellow key players Brian Mbeumo, Amadou and Matthijs de Ligt, but they still put up a tenacious performance at the back and defeated the Magpies 1-0 at Old Trafford.
Patrick Dorg scored United’s first goal in the 24th minute and Ruben Amorim’s side switched to a back four and changed their system in the second half to challenge the game. The defense was put on the back foot as Newcastle dominated possession in search of an equaliser, but United hung on and snatched a hard-earned clean sheet and victory. Express Sport rates and predicts United players…
Manchester United vs Newcastle player ratings
Senne Ramens – 6
A good save denied Bruno Guimarães’ header at his near post, but he appeared to be beaten by Lewis Hall’s curling shot, which hit the crossbar. He made two late saves from Joelinton and relieved the pressure in stoppage time by latching onto Guimarães’ long ball into the box. First clean sheet since October 4th.
Diogo Dalot – 7
He also helped keep Anthony Gordon quiet in the first half. After a change in formation, he strangely moved to the right wing, but before the shoot-over he should have made a sensational first touch with his chest to make it 2-0. However, if he had scored it could have been ruled offside.
Aiden Heaven – 8
It was the teenager’s fifth start in the Premier League and his first clean sheet. It was a truly spectacular performance, with the highest pass completion rate (97 per cent) of any Red Devils player who started the match. There are some really important contributions in the second half.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
He led the defense well and achieved his first shutout in the Premier League since January 26th. He may have missed out on a goal after a second-half handball, but he played a vital role in repelling Newcastle’s cross. It was also his pinpoint long pass that found Dalot before the Portuguese defender could take a shot.
Luke Shaw – 7
As a left-back, he provided width on the left side from the first half and did a good job in his own half after half-time. Yellow card for taking too long to take a throw-in, the only flaw in his performance.
Casemiro – 6
We should have done better with our early heading chances in the corners, but our defense was solid. Even though I looked comfortable in the middle, I surprisingly got stuck at the 1 hour mark. He looked confused as he left the pitch.
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Although he lost the ball a few times due to deflected passes and trouble, he played a key role in United’s clean sheet, winning a number of tackles while managing valuable interceptions and clearances.
Patrick Dorg – 8
A superb low cross to Benjamin Sesco went awry, but Dorg put United ahead 1-0 with a well-controlled volley. He forced another good save from Aaron Ramsdale and also deflected Fabian Schaal’s goal-bound shot wide before evading the danger in the resulting corner. It’s going to be dangerous for the entire game. Probably his best 90 minutes for the club.
Mason Mount – 7
He led the way with his off-the-ball work and great coordination, but was sent off at half-time for a probable knock. If so, it raises other concerns for Amorim.
Matheus Cunha – 6
It looked like he played an active role as a talisman for United’s attack in the first half. He tested Aaron Ramsdale with a low attack before hitting it further wide at his near post. However, his influence waned in the second half when Newcastle dominated. He still had some difficult yards off the ball, but ended up making a late challenge in stoppage time.
Benjamin Sesco – 6
Better display. He could have taken a better shot from Dorg’s low cross, but some good footwork saved Cunha’s shot, which unfortunately hit the crossbar from 12 yards and seconds in front of goal.
substitute
Jack Fletcher (for mount, 46) – 6
He started on the bench at Aston Villa and was replaced by Mount at half-time. I didn’t see much of the ball.
Joshua Zirkzee (on for Sesco, 60) – 6
Like Fletcher, he didn’t have many opportunities to play in games.
Lenny Yolo (substitute for Casemiro, 61) – 6
He helped United achieve a hard-earned clean sheet.
Tyler Fredrickson (Martinez replacement, 88 years old) – N/A
Another senior outing for the 20-year-old.
Malasia (Shaw, 1988) – N/A
First Premier League appearance since January.
