Manchester United players arrived at Old Trafford in tribute tracksuits to George Best. Then they were at their worst. This was United's fourth 3-0 defeat in the Premier League at Old Trafford within a year and already their second of the season.
Erik ten Hag can carp on about a debatable red card for Bruno Fernandes until it stops raining in Manchester yet that cannot mask the parallels between the United of this season and last.
Ten Hag's tenuous excuses have long since expired. United were two players shy of arguably their strongest XI and one was among the substitutes.
They have won three out of nine games and lost three. With Old Trafford pockmarked by empty seats in the 84th minute, Tottenham's followers revelled in United's plight. "Can we play you every week?" they requested. READ MORE: United ratings vs Spurs as Fernandes terrible READ MORE: United vs Spurs as it happened Many United supporters sang relentlessly.