Patrick Dorgu said that Ruben Amorim was to thank for his renewed confidence after his first goal for Manchester United earned three points against Newcastle. Dorgu’s first-half volley was enough for a 1-0 win on Boxing Day at Old Trafford as United moved up to fifth in the Premier League table.

United were riddled with injuries and were missing three players due to the Africa Cup of Nations but still came through to win. Dorgu was an unlikely match winner, having never scored for United in 37 games prior, yet took his goal expertly, volleying in a dropping ball after Diogo Dalot’s long throw-in was partially cleared.

His first goal wasn’t for lack of trying, with the left wing-back having attempted 30 shots previously without success. Confidence has been an issue for the Denmark international, who joined for £25million in February and has admitted to working on the mental side of the game with his manager.

Asked about the goal by Sky Sports, he said: “It was a good hit. I didn't know I could do that, but I was very happy to score my first goal in this stadium as well. It was amazing.

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“I just took what he (Ruben Amorim) told me to work on my confidence and stuff. I think I did well today. I just looked at the ball, saw it drop, and I just hit it. I've been practicing in training, so I think that's what helped me.”

His words echoed what Amorim had said in November about Dorgu. “He needs to be calmer playing the game,” the United boss said. “You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touched the ball, I can feel it, the anxiety.

“And I remember the shot [missed] against Everton. That was easier than the decision that he had to make when the guys from Scotland were there, when he made a great decision. And I saw it when he played in Italy. But, again, here is different and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning, but he has time to improve.”

Amorim added: “What I feel when I see them training, they are doing so much better than in games. When I see him playing for the national team, he’s scored a great goal against Scotland, the decision that he made under pressure was different to the decision that he’s making in our team.

“So I just need to understand the context in trying to help them. I think they are far from the best, and they know it. Like a lot of players in our team, like myself. I think they have so much more to give. Let’s see this week if we improve that.”

That improvement has been evident of late, with United now level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Liverpool, albeit their rivals have played a game fewer.

The raised performances are desperately needed, given United are currently without the injured Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, while Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are away at AFCON.

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