There's been a distinct lack of creativity from the team and that had been the case before Longstaff's goal had gone in. Steve Bruce's side deservedly took the lead and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mike Phelan, who spent the majority of the first half in the technical area, were not happy.
While there have been games this season where the United coaching staff have been criticised for their decision making, be it substitutions or tactical errors, Solskjaer and Phelan oversaw every kick of the win against Newcastle.
There were only nine minutes on the clock when Solskjaer had urged Wan-Bissaka to overlap on the right wing and push forward. It paid off for United's third goal when the full back produced a perfect ball for Marcus Rashford to head home. Even at 4-1 up Phelan was still out on the touchline urging tactical tweaks and encouragement.
They were clearly keen to ensure there would be no repeat of the capitulation at Vicarage Road where all Solskjaer could do was sit on the bench in bewilderment at what he was witnessing.
Anthony Martial
A clinical display from the Frenchman as he bagged his first Premier League brace at Old Trafford. Rashford remains United's leading goal scorer, and added to his tally again on Thursday night, but Martial will be keen to catch him.
He was denied his first hat-trick for the club when his shot came back off the inside of the post shortly before he was brought off for Juan Mata in the 67th minute.
Martial's movement, hold up play and goals made him a sure contender for man of the match. Impressive from the forward and Solskjaer bringing him off before the end allows for a rest before Burnley on Saturday night.
In the end it was a convincing attacking display from United and while it was an important three points Solskjaer will no doubt be annoyed at his side's inability to keep a clean sheet.
They've had two cleans sheets in the last 30 in the Premier League and are currently on a run of 14 in the league without one, their worst ever record. Whichever way you want to dress the stat up, it's bad.
And this comes after United invested heavily in their back line in the summer by bringing in Harry Maguire and Wan-Bissaka. As good as United can be going forward they need to tighten up at the back or they're going to struggle to climb the table further.
Mason Greenwood
There was plenty who criticised United's decision not to bring in a replacement for Romelu Lukaku after he left for Inter Milan, especially given the club had months' notice that the forward wanted to leave.
Solskjaer said the decision allowed Greenwood the opportunity to push through and he didn't want to block the pathway for the teenager. A player who had been given one Premier League start up until the start of this season - and it would be fair for some to think this was Solskjaer taking his commitment to bringing through youth a bit far.
But the 18-year-old has already repaid the faith shown in him by his manager as he netted his eighth goal in all competitions against Newcastle.
He pounced on a sloppy ball from Fabian Schar and it was a brilliant struck left footed shot from 20 yards out to put United 2-1 up, not even the deflection off Federico Fernandez was enough to take away from his skill.
The only teenager in Europe's big five leagues with more goals than him is Jadon Sancho with 12 and to be fair to Greenwood he has only started nine times.
Festive cheer
United haven't lost a Boxing Day league match since 1978 and that continued as they dispatched Newcastle with ease on Thursday. The festive fixtures keep on coming and it will be another difficult test for United at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Solskjaer will look to rotate his squad with a trip to Arsenal coming up on New Year's Day too and it will be a test of their strength in depth as to how well equipped they are to navigate the next festive hurdle.
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