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Manchester United suffered their sixth Premier League defeat of the season under David Moyes on New Year's Day, as Tottenham recorded a second successive victory at Old Trafford.
Christian Eriksen got in front of the dithering Antonio Valencia to nod in the winner in the second-half, after Emmanuel Adebayor had given Spurs a half-time lead.
Danny Welbeck swiftly halved the deficit, and although Hugo Lloris made a series of good saves late on, Spurs held off the threat of a United comeback to leapfrog them into sixth place.
Four of United's losses in the League this season have now come at home, with Spurs the latest conquerors after West Brom, Everton and Newcastle's triumphs.
United 1-2 Tottenham
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Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Aaron Lennon (L) after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(02 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Chris Smalling of Manchester United competes with Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(03 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Tom Cleverley of Manchester United competes with Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(04 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(05 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(06 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(07 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(08 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Manchester United Manager David Moyes looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(09 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United speaks to team-mate Adnan Januzaj after conceding the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor (2L) scores the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor (R) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's English forward Wayne Rooney (R) reacts afterTottenham Hotspur's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor had scored the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's English striker Danny Welbeck (L) attempts an overhead kick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's English striker Danny Welbeck (L) attempts an overhead kick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(18 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur battles for the ball with Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(19 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United tangles with Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(20 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur battles for the ball with Jonny Evans and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic (C up) wins a header from Tottenham Hotspur's English defender Michael Dawson (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's English forward Danny Welbeck (C) is denied by Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Romanian defender Vlad Chiriche? clears the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(24 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Danny Welbeck of Manchester United competes with Michael Dawson of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(25 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Manchester United Manager David Moyes looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(26 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United and his team-mate Jonny Evans react after conceding a second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(27 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United and his team-mate Nemanja Vidic (r) react after conceding a second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(28 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Tom Cleverley of Manchester United and his team-mate Danny Welbeck (l) react after conceding a second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(29 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United and his team-mate Nemanja Vidic (r) react after conceding a second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Aaron Lennon (C) and Tottenham Hotspur's Spanish forward Roberto Soldado (L) after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (L) beats Manchester United's Ecuadorian midfielder Antonio Valencia to head their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Aaron Lennon (L) after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-TOTTENHAM(34 of36)
Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder Aaron Lennon (L) after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(35 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur collides with Ashley Young of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(36 of36)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur collides with Ashley Young of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 1, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The defeat will raise further question marks about the state of what many consider to be a flawed squad which is over-reliant on Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
Rooney, back for the visit of Tottenham, did not look fully fit during the tea-time kick-off and Moyes even moved him back into midfield, again highlighting United's dearth of creativity in that particular area.
Tim Sherwood, however, has now taken 10 points from a possible 12 as Tottenham manager, with an FA Cup third-round tie at Arsenal to look forward to on Saturday.
They are now just two points outside of the Champions League places.