Overview
- Patrick Dorgu decided the Old Trafford fixture with a 24th‑minute volley for Manchester United.
- This was the first Boxing Day with only one Premier League game in roughly four decades, drawing criticism from fans and media.
- The rest of Matchweek 18 is spread over the weekend, with seven games on Saturday and two on Sunday.
- The Premier League and FA say the unusual scheduling reflects this season’s calendar and indicate fuller Boxing Day slates when the date falls on a weekend.
- The match aired on ESPN and Disney+ Premium, and team selections were shaped by absences as Bruno Fernandes missed out with a calf injury, Bryan Mbeumo joined Cameroon for AFCON, and Eddie Howe benched fit‑again Nick Pope in favor of Aaron Ramsdale.