Manchester United needed a strong collective effort to beat Newcastle United on Friday, showing backs-against-the-wall resilience to maintain a decisive lead that was carved out by Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s first-half strike, the only goal of the game.
That match-winning volley likely went a long way to seeing Dorgu named as our fans’ Man of the Match, while Ayden Heaven collected the Premier League’s equivalent prize, for his contribution towards our second clean sheet of the season.
Dorgu and Heaven were recognised with awards, but several other individual performances have also got fans, staff and players talking in the aftermath of the Boxing Day victory.
Senne Lammens made a number of important stops in goal and has subsequently drawn praise, as has Lisandro Martinez for the way he captained the side on his first start of the season, in the absence of injured skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes couldn’t play but was there at Old Trafford watching and singled out the display of Heaven on his Instagram Story, along with that of an unsung performer on the night: Manuel Ugarte.
The Uruguay international was making his second successive start in midfield and his tenacious qualities shone through in a game that United required character, resilience and physicality to get over the line.
A brilliant recovery tackle early in the encounter, on Bruno Guimaraes, was enjoyed by the home crowd in M16 and seemed to set the tone for what was an individual showing deserving of recognition.
Fernandes called it a “top performance”
while, on Ugarte’s own Instagram post, Martinez commented “this is the one I know” and Harry Maguire said “brilliant tonight mate”.
“Manu [Manuel Ugarte] did a very good game today,”Amorim stated.
“They [speaking about Dorgu too] must understand that, sometimes, you can have a good day, and the next day can be worse. You have to deal with that and train well to go forward.”
FAN COMMENTS ON UGARTE’S POST
@utdsnaps: Brilliant performance tonight Manu. Keep it up ❤️👍
@goodvibesjohn: Well done Manu 🔥🔥
@ksfootball7: Brilliant tonight! 💪🏼
@naehaal: This is the Ugarte we knowwww
@mufcfamily: Keep working hard bro ❤️
@fasoffja: Keep the energy man💪🇺🇾
@yotam.levy1: Cruyff turn was a warning yeah he's back and balling🔥😍
@greysonbowers6666: Class performance today manu🙌🙌
Manuel will be hoping to help the Reds make it back-to-back wins when Wolves come to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Tuesday – buy tickets here!