Victory Over Tottenham was a Huge Moment for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United boss Solskjaer slayed his predecessor Jose Mourinho and showed that his players will deliver for him when he needs them most The story never looked like following the script.

It finished with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer punching the air in delight after a huge victory which will surely buy him some time at Manchester United .

And with Jose Mourinho never supplying the drama we were expecting on his return to Old Trafford because Tottenham surrendered without so much as a fight.

Mourinho was strangely subdued. He talked before the game about not returning as an enemy and never remotely looked like making himself one either.

It was all too nice. Mourinho lapped up a great reception from the Stratford End before kick-off, hugged Solskjaer and then looked on as Tottenham were overwhelmed and overawed.

Marcus Rashford was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch, scoring in the first half, winning and converting a penalty after half time and running the Spurs defence ragged. It was as if the United players - Jesse Lingard shone and even Fred worked tirelessly in midfield - had their own point to prove, while no-one should doubt the loyalties of the Old Trafford faithful.

They have always worshipped Solskjaer from his days as a player and throughout the game the songs were sung with extra passion and, at the final whistle, chants of “Ole, Ole, Ole” rang around the stadium.

This was a huge moment for Solskjaer, slaying his predecessor and showing that, when he needs them most, the players will deliver for him.

In contrast, Mourinho will take Spurs back to London after his first defeat in four games in charge knowing that the honeymoon is over and the squad needs work if they are to reach the top four this season.

Dele Alli’s wonderful equaliser underlined his dramatic return to form under Mourinho but there were few other positives as Rashford tore Spurs to pieces.

It took United just six minutes to spoil Mourinho’s return as they steamrollered the visitors with a fast start before Spurs had the chance to get going.

Lingard tussled with Davinson Sanchez on the edge of the box, the ball broke for Rashford and the United striker unleashed a low shot, struck menacingly with the top of his right foot to make it dip and swerve.

Tottenham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga dived to his right, but only pushed the ball against the post, it looped up and went into the far corner. It was poor from Gazzaniga but he soon did his best to redeem himself.

It was all United as Tottenham did not seem to know what had hit them. Rashford curled a free kick just wide, James saw an effort saved and then Gazzaniga made a sensational tip onto the bar from another Rashford shot which was dipping towards the net.

But suddenly, having offered very little, Tottenham got themselves back on level terms after 39 minutes. Jan Vertonghen’s cross from the left carried through to Serge Aurier, his cross shot was parried by David de Gea and the ball fell nicely to Alli.

What Alli did next, though, underlined his return to form under Mourinho. Alli controlled it beautifully, flipped the ball over his head and between Ashley Young and Fred before firing past de Gea. It was harsh on United but a brilliant goal.

United need not have panicked. Their lead was restored just four minutes after the restart. Rashford made a strong run down the left of the box, Moussa Sissoko made a clumsy challenge and tripped the United striker to concede a clear penalty. Rashford scored with great composure.

It put United back in front and it was a lead they rarely looked like surrendering again. Tottenham staged a late rally with Alli having a shot saved in injury time but this was United’s night, Solskjaer’s triumph and a victory for him to savour.