David Moyes' spirit lingered at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as Sunderland became the latest club to break a long-standing record and claim their first league victory at Manchester United in 46 years.
Sebastian Larsson's first half-volley from Connor Wickham's cross in the was enough on another uninspiring afternoon from the dethroned champions, whose interim manager, Ryan Giggs, suffered his first defeat in charge.
Sunderland's win has condemned Cardiff City and Fulham to relegation, after they lost 3-0 and 4-1 at Newcastle United and Stoke City. The Black Cats are not assured of safety, but with two games remaining should be confident of consolidating their Premier League status ahead of next weekend's final round of fixtures.
Sebastian Larsson is mobbed by teammates after scoring the winner at Old Trafford
Norwich City, who occupy the last relegation spot, travel to Chelsea on Sunday.
United have now lost 12 League games this season - seven of them at home. Giggs' decision to play the shambolic Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, whose United career is ending similarly to Roger Moore's James Bond era, blunted an attack already hamstrung by the reliably unreliable pairing of Ashley Young and Nani.
Fabio Borini and Emanuele Giaccherini both hit the woodwork in the second 45, while Javier Hernández wasted United's best chance from a Patrice Evra pull-back.
