Quickfire Spurs expose United frailties

The elation felt by Manchester United fans following the double drama of Jose Mourinho’s new contract and Alexis Sanchez’s arrival in transfer deadline week is already over after Tottenham ruthlessly exposed their defensive problems in a deserved victory at Wembley.

A goal from Christian Eriksen after only 11 seconds and an own-goal from the unfortunate and inept Phil Jones set the tone on a night which was meant to be all about Sanchez’s league debut but turned, instead, into an inquest into the quality of players at the other end of the field — and a celebration of Tottenham’s growing maturity.

The result leaves United 15 points adrift of leaders Manchester City and now only three points ahead of third-placed Liverpool — with the only consolation being Chelsea’s shock home defeat against Bournemouth across London at Stamford Bridge.