Ferguson lost plenty of times, but rarely did his side fold in the manner this modern version do. The defeats are so extensive it is impossible to ignore a major underlying problem exists.
Liverpool, West Brom, Midtjylland, Sunderland, Southampton, Stoke, Norwich, Bournemouth, Wolfsburg, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and Swansea have all out-muscled or out-manouvered United this season.
United have gone out of Europe early, not once but twice, lost on penalties to Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup, and are on the periphery of the race for Champions League qualification. Another season without continental competition beckons.
Clearly Ed Woodward, United's chief executive, is loath to sack Van Gaal. Out of loyalty but also reluctance to concede his choice to hire the Dutchman has not worked. But this comprehensive reverse in north London – a second in the campaign after embarrassment at Arsenal – may prove a tipping point.
Woodward took a picture of the scoreboard when United lost 2-0 to Olympiacos in February 2014, a memento of reaching rock bottom. But a snapshot from White Hart Lane would show it has undeniably got worse. There is little evidence to suggest a brighter future with Van Gaal at the helm.
He has been given £300million in transfer spending but the process, to use his terminology, looks more clouded than ever. How can so much money be spent, yet a squad look so threadbare?
So what is your opinion? OUT or IN