The fixture was full of positives for Ibrox boss Walter Smith as his side registered their third straight SPL win thanks to a moment of genius from DaMarcus Beasley.
The American continued his recent good form and capped it with a stunning strike that will surely be a contender for Goal of the Season in May.
And when Kenny Miller secured the points with two second half goals it ensured Smith and his side would return to Glasgow once again top of the SPL pile.
Smith kept faith with the bulk of the side that had kicked off the crucial festive period with a 3-0 over St Johnstone, with only one enforced change.
The absence through injury of Kevin Thomson led to the reintroduction of Lee McCulloch to partner Steven Davis in midfield.
And that meant a second consecutive start for Kirk Broadfoot on the right hand side of the back four as Neil Alexander continued to deputise for Allan McGregor in goal.
But it was Alexander’s opposite number who was called in to action first when he beat away an excellent effort from Beasley from the edge of the area.
It was a fine hit from Beasley but Nicky Weaver was equal to it and neither Novo nor Miller could capitalise as the shot stopper spilled the shot.
That effort was indicative of the positive start Walter Smith’s men had made to the match and McCulloch was next to try his luck.
Sasa Papac through a cross in to the area, from a similar spot to the one from where he had delivered for Steven Davis’ goal on the Gers’ last ill-fated trip to Tannadice.
Boyd did well to win the ball in the air and when it fell to McCulloch he took a touch and fired a shot toward goal that Weaver was grateful to see skid just wide of the post.
Rangers were enjoying huge success down the left flank with Smith urging Novo and Papac to make the most of United’s narrow midfield.
The little Spaniard took heed and once again left Mihael Kovacevic in his wake as he made for the touchline where he cut back to Davis, but the midfielder’s connection wasn’t great.
Smith’s opposite number wasn’t happy with his side’s start to the game but would have been pleased with their reaction midway through the opening period.
Their two best chances came shortly after that Davis chance when Garry Kenneth rose highest to win the aerial battle from a United corner only to be penalised for pushing when he thought he had beaten Papac on the line.
Jon Daly then really should have done more to work Alexander when he got his head on Craig Conway’s free kick from the left.
But he headed straight at the Gers goalkeeper and was made to pay within a minute when Beasley produced his moment of magic.
Cutting in from the right wing the American opted to go himself and curled a wonderful left footed shot high past Weaver, leaving the Utd keeper with no chance.
It was just reward for another performance full of improvement from the US star.
That gave Rangers further confidence and Davis might have helped double the advantage when he was set away on a break by Broadfoot.
But the Ulsterman couldn’t pick out either Novo or Miller who were busting a gut to offer him options in the middle.
With the visitors so comfortably in control of the match it was only a matter of time before Kris Boyd became a threat and he might have had a chance to add to his SPL tally when Miller tried to pick him out after more good work from Beasley.
But he tumbled in the six yard box with the goal gaping and he and Miller made strenuous appeals to Mike Tumilty for a penalty but nothing was forthcoming.
Boyd channelled the frustration in the right manner a minute later when he showed great sharpness to fire in a curling effort from the edge of the box that had Weaver scrambling to watch it wide of his upright.
It was no surprise to see United forced in to a change at the interval with Kovacevic removed in favour of Scott Robertson.
That allowed Sean Dillon to move to right back to try to contain the threat posed by Novo.
Initially Dillon saw little of the action in the early stages of the second period as the home side tried to force their way back in to the match.
But ultimately it was that man Novo who did the damage again when he tormented Dillon and two United team mates before forcing enough room to deliver a cross.
It was an inch perfect one and left Miller with the simplest of tasks to nod the ball past Weaver and give his side a more comfortable cushion with just under an hour on the clock.
And it would be the two goal scorers who would combine to put the result beyond doubt with just 15 minutes left.
Miller picked out Beasley wide on the right and when the American fed him again in the box he turned his marker well, made the most of come luck to collect the loose ball and fired past Weaver low in to the corner.
That produced scenes of delight on the Rangers bench as they again looked set to enjoy a comfortable win over United at a venue that hadn’t been kind to them in recent years until last season’s title triumph turned that on its head.
The margin of the lead allowed Smith to make three late changes, resting Beasley, Novo and Boyd and introducing Lafferty, Naismith and Fleck as the Light Blues’ thoughts turned to their next match.