Jonjo Shelvey, wearing the captain's armband, left his mark on a number of Wolfsburg players.
The home side had a lot of the possession in the first half, and Shelvey, looking fit and sharp, put in a series of tough challenges.
The midfielder got a warning, but not a booking, from the referee. And the official appeared to signal to United's bench that Shelvey should be taken off in the second half.
Before Benitez could make a change, he had set up Newcastle's third goal, which was scored by Christian Atsu.
Shelvey is up for this season.