If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s new-look Manchester United needed a calibration to measure how far they have come since Jose Mourinho departed then this match, despite the result, should leave them standing tall.

And in different circumstances, he believes Roy Keane could have been the man to shape that philosophy.

Tottenham 0 Manchester United 1

It’s easy to believe the FA Cup has lost a bit of its shine after Arsene Wenger lifted the famous trophy three times in four years but still lost his job because it was the ‘only’ thing he won; but that doesn’t mean there aren’t clubs going into this year’s third round desperate to reach Wembley.

The light-hearted fidgeting of Christmas 2018 is over and the serious fretting of the new year can begin in Manchester City households. We can at last raise a tentative glass to the rebirth of the real City. Frail, feeble, and flawed.

So, the post-Fergie era consigns another manager’s Old Trafford reign to the history books, and with David Moyes’ six-year contract still having six months to run too!

Paul Pogba took barely half an hour to offer his epitaph for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United career - or so it seemed.

So little about this Manchester United season has been extreme. This is a team with rounded edges, who send watching supporters and journalists into an slumber.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Jose Mourinho retains the full backing of both the club and their supporters.

Ger McCarthy poses four questions ahead of Ireland's rematch with Wales...

Sam Allardyce’s five-and-a-half-month reign at Everton could end later today with Marco Silva being lined up for the Goodison Park hot-seat.

Manchester United suffered a painful low in their Champions League defeat against Sevilla with a tepid performance that failed again to do justice to their attacking heritage.

Louis van Gaal has said he was unhappy with the way Manchester United successor Jose Mourinho treated Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Manchester United have remained tight-lipped on claims they are ready to make Alexis Sanchez one of the world's best-paid players.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is close to agreeing a new deal with the club, it is understood.

This will be Giggs’ first permanent job in management.

Ryan Giggs says he advised Manchester United to sign Gabriel Jesus and Kylian Mbappe before the pair rose to prominence.

David Unsworth, Sean Dyche, and David Moyes are among the frontrunners for the Everton manager’s job after Ronald Koeman was sacked yesterday with the club languishing in the relegation zone.

Our Monday morning quarterback Daniel Storey casts judgement over the weekend’s Premier League action.

Jose Mourinho has been as impressed by Anthony Martial’s attitude as the Manchester United forward’s upturn in performances.

Always try to start a column with a topical reference, they tell you at Hack School. 

Jose Mourinho wants to leave Manchester United in a “much, much, much better” state than the club he took over.

Jose Mourinho wants to leave Manchester United in a "much, much, much better" state than the club he took over.

Frank de Boer’s appointment as Crystal Palace manager took the number of former Barcelona players now managing in the Premier League to five, 25% of the total workforce and a ringing endorsement for the philosophy of Total Football Johan Cruyff introduced to the Catalans after making it famous in his native Netherlands.

Ajax, creators of their own legend, were largely authors of their own downfall in Stockholm last night, writes Liam Mackey.

The Europa League is a Cinderella competition, usually neglected and often ignored, but tomorrow night in Stockholm, Cinderella might have a ball.

Forgive me for gushing but, for once, I’m actually genuinely excited by something with the word ‘Europa’ in the title. From the ridiculous to the sublime in just three days flat; few journeys transport one as far as that which we’re about to take.

Jose Mourinho says he has worked “harder than ever” during his first season at Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho’s determination to bring a problematic season to an historic end means the Manchester United manager will pull out all the stops to secure a place in the Europa League final.

Jose Mourinho believes ex-Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez is the kind of "killer" that would turn games for a side boasting talented players that are not "in love with the goal".

Jose Mourinho believes ex-Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez is the kind of “killer” that would turn games for a side with strikers that are not “in love with the goal”.

Jesse Lingard has signed a new and improved deal.

There was a moment during the last World Cup finals when it seemed the Dutch might be about to write a new chapter in their glorious football history, writes David Shonfield

Manchester United have confirmed they will tour the United States this summer.

Bayern Munich against Arsenal has become a Champions League hardy perennial. Tomorrow night’s match takes on added significance following Philipp Lahm’s announcement that he will retire at the end of the season.

Ander Herrera believes Manchester United's improvements will have their top-four rivals worried.

Manchester United have not been in either “heaven or hell” this season in Jose Mourinho’s eyes - though he believes his team bonded in the face of adversity during their indifferent start.

Jose Mourinho has been reluctant to give Memphis Depay the chance to resurrect his Manchester United career because he is expecting him to leave in January.