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

#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.