Patrick Dorgu's first-half volley sent Manchester United fifth in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim went to a back four.
Amorim's tactical change to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Dorgu playing on the right wing appeared to confuse Newcastle early on, with Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko going close. And though Eddie Howe did adjust, Dorgu's wonderful volley beat Aaron Ramsdale.
The 21-year-old Denmark international has had his struggles since arriving from Lecce last winter but he impressed here even beyond his spectacular goal, although it was Matheus Cunha with his driving runs from deep who lit up the first half at Old Trafford.
"Newcastle will fancy their chances," former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had told Your Site beforehand. That the hosts had failed to win any of their previous seven Premier League matches without Bruno Fernandes offered further encouragement.
Although Sesko did hit the crossbar on the counter-attack, Howe's side certainly stepped up the pressure in the second half with Lewis Hall striking the underside of the bar himself. Amorim had Dorgu and Diogo Dalot as his wingers in a 4-4-2 formation.
Dalot even came close to doubling the lead but it was Newcastle pushing - Lisandro Martinez, on his return to the starting line-up, surviving a VAR call for a penalty against him. They lacked the cutting edge to break down a resolute defensive effort.
The three points lift Manchester United up to fifth in the Premier League table, above Liverpool and out of the top four on only goal difference. Newcastle, with only one away win in the Premier League all season, remain in the bottom half of the table in 11th.
Manchester United finished this game with a back four of Leny Yoro, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven and Tyrell Malacia - a trio of youngsters and a left-back making his first appearance of the season. Martinez had earlier shone on his first start.
The midfield two were Jack Fletcher and Manuel Ugarte, the former having come on for the injured Mason Mount at half-time. On the wings were Dalot and Dorgu. Joshua Zirkzee was up front. That Amorim was able to fashion this into a rearguard action that kept out Newcastle was a minor Christmas miracle.
On the night that Amorim changed his formation, something he had once said he could never do, he comes out of it strengthened. By the victory, of course. But, in a curious way, the manner of it too. It was not fluent but resolute. They are battling to improve.
If they can stick together and show flexibility, this season does feel like an opportunity for United and for Amorim. "Anything is possible," the hugely impressive Heaven told Your Site afterwards. Perhaps not. But United are now in fifth. And looking up.
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim speaking to Your Site:
"We had to suffer altogether in the stadium. It was really difficult for us. We had a good first half and then the second half we just defend and tried to do something with Cunha. We had our opportunities in transitions.
"It was a good win, but I had so many games here when we played well and didn't get the three points. Today it was the opposite."
Your Site' Roy Keane:
"We have seen a big win for Man Utd. To come out and win an ugly game, specifically from a defensive point of view, keeping that clean sheet. There has to be pride in your defending.
"The goal was fantastic, a special goal. But if you want to make progress, it has got to be about being defensively solid. It is a start in terms of momentum for the younger players but you have to find something.
"Digging out results. The teams I played in, we didn't play well every week but we dug in.
"They have to kick on now. Getting a win under their belts will give them huge belief and confidence going forward."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to Your Site:
"Second half a lot better than the first but we didn't do enough. It was not for a lack of effort. Felt if we scored we could have gone on to win the game."
Asked if he had been caught out by the change of formation by Amorim, Howe replied: "Caught out? I actually thought we started the game really well for 15 to 20 minutes.
"But we didn't respond well to the goal. I was disappointed at half time with our inability to grab control of the game because I thought it was there for us to take.
"I don't think it was a tactical issue for us. I don't think we looked as physically good as we did against Chelsea when we were physically outstanding.
"I don't think there was a tactical problem for us at any stage of the game. We are disappointed with the way we defended the goal. Long throws were something we prepared for.
"We are disappointed with our actions in terms of trying to score because we created the chances, put a lot of crosses in their box. The chances were there.
"If we score that equalising goal then that momentum is there with us."
