Erik ten Hag's increasing influence on Manchester United was in evidence as Tottenham went the same way as Liverpool and Arsenal in front of an Old Trafford gallery growing in optimism and confidence.
Manager Ten Hag's catastrophic start at United, which began with the embarrassment of a home defeat to Brighton followed by the fiasco of a 4-0 loss at Brentford, is now a bad memory rather than current reality.
And this was the finest performance of a managerial tenure still in its infancy.
The sight of pouting substitute Cristiano Ronaldo stalking down the tunnel before the end of a 2-0 victory that flattered mediocre Spurs must not overshadow a highly impressive performance.