The day their hopes died

MAN UNITED 1

(Danny Welbeck 67)

TOTTENHAM 2

(Emmanuel Adebayor 34, Christian Eriksen 66)

The great unmasking of Manchester United took place on Thursday morning at Old Trafford.

Tottenham's thoroughly deserved 2-1 win revealed the uncomfortable truth.

The kind festive fixtures provided a soothing smokescreen, but Spurs blew it away.

United's aura is gone. So has any lingering hope of retaining the title.

Spurs' win showed at least six reasons why United's title defence died a slow death.

1. EASY FIXTURES MASKED FAILINGS

Much was made of the six consecutive victories and the tired, myopic cliche that United could only beat the teams put in front of them.

But their form was sustained by beating minnows.

Christmas bells drowned out alarm bells, but they were both ringing out.

There was Aston Villa's wretched home form and startling lack of squad depth; the non-challenge of striker-less, central defender-less West Ham; Hull's spirited, but limited challenge and relegation- threatened Norwich.

They were all defeated, but a sizeable asterisk was stamped beside the results.

United conceded two butter-soft goals against Hull before recovering.

Norwich dominated possession and should have gone ahead through Gary Hooper before Danny Welbeck hit the winner.

Winning games while playing poorly is the sign of champions?

No, it's the sign of a cliche.

United's first, legitimate test of their Premier League durability was a transitional Tottenham side.

They failed.

2. ROONEY'S BAD MOOD TELLS TRUTH

Wayne Rooney's temperament provides a barometer for his side's form.

When his teammates are flying, he's the jovial pilot leading their safe passage to silverware.

When his colleagues are floundering, he flaps around like a lost fish washed ashore.

His booking for a tug and a kick at the fleeing Mousa Dembele provided proof of individual and collective shortcomings.

When United are poor, he's petulant.

Rooney spent more time in referee Howard Webb's face, than he did anyone in a Tottenham jersey.

He drifted deeper into central midfield to support a woeful defence and build attacks from inside his own half and ended up doing neither.

There are echoes of George Best post- 1968 here.

Best always insisted that his mood and form deteriorated after the European Cup triumph as he grew frustrated at a decline in standards and quality around him.

He made passes teammates couldn't read. He made runs they couldn't reach.

Best was playing one step beyond those around him when all he craved was to be first among equals.

History is repeating itself.

3. DEFENSIVE DISASTER

Poor Patrice Evra was turned inside out more times than a pair of socks.

Aaron Lennon left him behind in the 39th minute in a move that should have led to Roberto Soldado doubling Tottenham's lead.

The slowing Frenchman was still trailing the impudent winger in the 84th minute.

As Lennon cut inside, he found himself in more space than Sandra Bullock in Gravity.

But Evra is one weak link in a broken chain. He might be 35, but Rio Ferdinand cannot find a place in a chaotic backline despite being United's most consistent defender last season.

Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans enjoyed less communication than a couple of kids making a phone out of two tin cans and a piece of string.

Forced to change his position again, Chris Smalling struggled throughout, failing to reach Christian Eriksen's cross before Emmanuel Adebayor scored.

Moyes was unlucky to inherit Sir Alex Ferguson's ageing, unsettled defence, but he didn't inherit his attacking swagger.

Switching Antonio Valencia to right back in the second half was a tactical head-scratcher, particularly when the winger went AWOL to present the unmarked Eriksen the goal that proved decisive. It's the New Year and Moyes still hasn't settled on his back four.

4. DEMBELE DOMINANT

Michael Carrick has an archer's accuracy. He arrows passes to teammates.

Destroyer-in-chief Dembele took Carrick's bow away. He denied him the luxury that the languid Carrick depends upon - time.

He shoved a clamp on Tom Cleverley, divorcing the close relationship between United's central midfielders.

Dembele's dominance was acknowledged when Rooney dropped into midfield to help regain possession.

When the frustrated forward saw yellow for kicking Dembele, Tottenham's terrier knew his job was done.

United do not have a Dembele in their ranks. They signed Marouane Fellaini instead. The Belgian would struggle to get into the Tottenham side. He struggles to get in the United side.

5. NOT ENOUGH RISK-TAKING

United were not overwhelmed by Tottenham.

On the contrary, the home side dominated possession which underlined, once again, what a pointless statistic it can be. Moyes' United often rule the possession charts.

His innate conservatism invariably means plenty of passing between the lines of defence of central midfield.

Adnan Januzaj is a popular straw to clutch right now. He's the only straw. He was a hare among tortoises.

He stood out not for his impact on the game's outcome (both Lennon and Adebayor eclipsed Januzaj in that regard), but for being the sole speedster in his side.

Antonio Valencia was inexplicably moved to right back, Shinji Kagawa does more damage picking at his leather seat on the subs bench and Wilfried Zaha is rumoured to be a transfer target for Crystal Palace.

Did Zaha merit not a place on the bench against Tottenham? If nothing else, the 21-year-old promises pace and unpredictability. United have struggled to display either.

6. NOTHING LEFT IN THE TANK

United are a Rolls Royce with no petrol.

Poor Moyes proudly wheels out the grand status symbol every week, honoured to be associated with such a distinguished brand.

He got away with it last month. The Rolls Royce gleamed alongside those old bangers. But it's running on empty now.

There is little value in the January transfer market, but there's no value in doing nothing.

Moyes should be permitted the funds to invest in a fullback, a centre back and a midfield enforcer to salvage United's season.

The title is gone. But United must be given the chance to keep their dignity.

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