THE VERDICT: SPURS 2 UNITED 0

ALEXIS Sanchez must have been tempted to look down and check the badge on his shirt. This was a classic Arsenal no-show. The type of performance that convinced him he’d never achieve his ambitions under Arsene Wenger and had to look for pastures new.

Now he knows those types of performances are not restricted to Arsenal alone.

Under the bright lights of Wembley United got stage fright.

Against an effervescent Tottenham, Jose Mourinho’s team looked leadenfooted and heavy-headed.

Devoid of energy or inspiration, that they escaped with just a 2-0 defeat could be considered something of a victory in itself.

On a night like this, not even Sanchez could stir them – the Chilean cutting a frustrated figure, particularly in the second half when given license to roam with little effect.

But this result is not on him. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic could do little to stem Spurs’ marauding midfield. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in the centre of defence always appeared to be outnumbered.

Up front Romelu Lukaku was starved of service and Anthony Martial made the wrong decision time and again.

It was bad from front to back – and when Mourinho substituted Marouane Fellaini just seven minutes after summoning him from the bench in the second half it summed up a wholly miserable night, the Belgian appearing to have suffered an injury.

Mourinho will need to show more of that mean streak to turn United into champions again. Before the match he spoke of United being ‘real contenders for everything’ in the future. This was a reminder that they are still some way from that. A back five that consisted of purely Sir Alex Ferguson signings evidence of the work that still needs to be done to transform this squad into one that can genuinely challenge City – rather than languish 15 points adrift of them. The signing of Sanchez is just the start. More serious James Robson Eriksen (1), Jones (28, og) None 53% 47% 27 9 6 3 81,978 Dembele, Ali Jones, Young Andre Marriner investment will be needed to close the gap on Pep Guardiola’s imperious champions-elect.

The substitutions of Fellaini, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera had no impact.

Matic, meanwhile, has looked tired for weeks. United had been chasing the game after just 11 seconds when Christian Eriksen swept a shot past David de Gea.

United were 2-0 down before the halfhour mark – Jones firing past his own goalkeeper when trying to clear Kieran Trippier’s cross.

It was a chastening night – one that will have been all too familiar for Sanchez.