Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester United: 5 tactics from Solskjaer that won the game

Manchester United travelled to St James' Park at the start of the new year for their first game of 2019. It was supposed to be the first real test for new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had won all of his first three games in charge and was looking to equal a 73-year-old record set by Sir Matt's Busby, of winning the first four games in charge of United.

Keeping in mind the busy schedule, Solskjaer made three changes to his team once more, drafting in club captain Antonio Valencia in at right back in place of Ashley Young, putting Jones in place of the suspended Bailly and replacing Lingard with Mata.

The rest of the team from the win at Bournemouth remained the same. Even though Newcastle were struggling in the Premier League, Rafa Benitez's side had the ability to upset Solskjaer's plans and the Norwegian was wary ahead of the game. The availability of Alexis Sanchez on the bench would have given him a lot of confidence.

Manchester United carried on where they had left off against Bournemouth but failed to find the back of the net in the first half. Solskjaer brought on Lukaku and Sanchez in the second half and the Belgian gave United the lead in the 64th minute. Rashford doubled the score in the 80th minute as United comfortably saw off the Newcastle pressure to earn 3 points.

Solskjaer continued his brilliant start as a Manchester United manager and will have hopes building at Old Trafford right now. It was these 5 brilliant tactics by the Norwegian that ultimately won United the game

#5 A back 4 instead of a back 5

Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League

After a fantastic start to his managerial career at United, Solskjaer could have been forgiven had he crowded up his defence in a bid to keep out Newcastle. In fact, United fans were used to seeing this under Mourinho, however, Solskjaer did not budge from his tactical preferences at all.

The game at Saint James' Park was supposed to be his first tough test in his new role at United, however, the Norwegian brushed aside any cause of concerns and fielded an extremely attacking team. He was aware of the physical presence of Rondon, yet put his trust on his two centerbacks to deal with him effectively.

United started the game well, but Newcastle had their moments in the first half. However, the pairing of Lindelof and Jones were on song to keep them at bay. Even though Jones was a little sloppy at times, Lindelof was magnificent on the night. It was Solskjaer's decision to start with a back 4 that allowed him to set his team in an attacking formation, which won them the game.

#4 Alert midfield

Even though he opted for the same three men in the middle from the Bournemouth game, the players were extra alert on the night to the threat of the opposition. In fact, they were perhaps a little too wary of the opposition. Matic, especially, was culpable of giving too much respect to the opposition and his rampant forward passing from the previous game was absent.

Herrera did look lively as always, and also slotted in effectively between Jones and Lindelof to provide added stability. The Spaniard also dictated the play well from the deep and sent in a couple of great through balls that the forward players could not capitalize on. However, he was also guilty of sitting a little too back and his manager could be seen urging the Spaniard to get ahead because United missed his wiz in the first half.

Even though the midfield did not have their best day while going forward, they still created enough chances and also dominate the middle of the park. By setting up his midfield to be alert, the Norwegian had won the battle in the middle of the park and had guided his team to 3 points.

#3 Intelligent changes to the team

Mata was not the most effective but did enough to see off Newcastle

With the busy festive season and the FA Cup tie ahead in the weekend still to play, Solskjaer was tasked with keeping his team fresh as well as continue their winning form. He did have Sanchez and Lukaku available again, but also knew the dangers of throwing them right in the midst of the action. As such, the Norwegian had to make smart, effective changes to his team that would get the job done, with one eye on the weekend's match against Reading.

He opted for Valencia in place of Ashley Young, almost a like for like replacement in terms of experience and defensive steel. The Manchester United Skipper had a decent run, even though he was not as adventurous as his manager would have liked him to be. Phil Jones coming in for the suspended Bailly was an enforced change, but resting Lingard was important as the Englishman had started all of the last three games. Mata was drafted in his place and even though the Spaniard wasn't as effective in the final third, he did well to complement the forward players.

Solskjaer showed stellar squad management skills to make the necessary changes and still come away with the win and for that, he deserves all credit.

#2 Smart Substitutions

Manchester United were feeble in attack in the first half and even though they did barge forward at every opportunity, they were not as effective as the previous three games. At halftime, the teams were still tied at 0-0 and while United had looked the better of the two, they lacked composure in the final third. As a result, Newcastle were still in the game and United were getting nervy.

By the 63rd minute, Solskjaer had seen enough to know that changes were required to get the results. He put in Lukaku for Martial and replaced Mata with the fit-again Sanchez. Within seconds of coming on, the Belgian had sealed the deal for his manager. A Rashford free kick was parried away by Dubravka, and Lukaku showed outstanding stealth and alertness to react the quickest. Before the goalkeeper could collect the ball, the Belgian had tapped in to give United a deserved lead.

Sanchez also looked lively since coming on and his moment arrived in the 80th minute. After receiving the ball near the box, with all the Newcastle defenders preparing for him to shoot, the Chilean was aware enough to notice Rashford totally free in the box. Sanchez set up the Englishman, who had the time to take a touch and then finish smartly to take the game away from the opposition.

Solskjaer's clever substitutions works brilliantly on the night and it was the hallmark of a capable manager who understands his team and the requirements of the game well.

#1 Attacking intent in an away game

This used to be a feature of the United teams of old, which had been lost in the recent managerial turmoils. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived to wipe off the dust, clear the debris and return the shine to the Manchester United shrine. The way United are playing under him already reminds us of the heydays of Sir Alex Ferguson and against Newcastle, the Norwegian showed another great quality which would have pleased even the legendary Scot.

Solskjaer fought fire with fire, taking the game to the Newcastle team, even though his midfield were a little sceptical of the opposition. The Norwegian gave his forward players all the freedom in the world to influence the game and his players responded well. Rashford's development has been striking in the recent games and the English youngster was one of the best players on the night, harrowing the Newcastle defense continuously. This desire of the youngster, of the entire team, was a reflection of the attacking intent of their manager.

Against Newcastle, the Norwegian showed the world that he was not changing his style of play depending on the opposition. Instead, it was his courage to inflict his attacking weapons on the opposition even in an away game which won all 3 points for United.

Edited by Sripad