Hojlund and Rashford gave Ten Hag hope and showed they do know where the goal is

Amid all the attention surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the directors’ box on Sunday, you almost missed Wayne Rooney sat amongst the great and the good at Old Trafford.

Recently relieved of his duties as manager of Birmingham City, Rooney took the opportunity to drop in on United where he holds the club record of 253 goals.

It’s a mark that won’t be threatened any time soon by the players who have followed in his footsteps.

Goals have been one of the main problems for Erik ten Hag’s side this season, with no team outside the bottom four scoring fewer than United’s meagre total of 29 in the Premier League.

Rasmus Hojlund, signed for £72million in the summer, had scored just once in the league coming into this game. Marcus Rashford, rewarded with a new £300,000-a-week contract, had contributed three goals.

At least, Ratcliffe saw some positive signs that it might yet prove to be money well spent as both forwards got on the scoresheet against Tottenham. Just as importantly, they were involved in each other’s goals as well; the first real evidence of a strike partnership developing. Ten Hag was excellent, Rashford a real handful.

There have been times this season when United have looked like a bunch of strangers who met for the first time before kick-off.

It didn’t count as an assist when Rashford’s run into the box was halted by the Spurs defence in the third minute, but the ball ran loose for Hojlund to smash it into the roof of the net for his second goal in back-to-back games at Old Trafford.

However, the Dane most certainly intended his return pass to Rashford six minutes before half-time, and United’s No 10 did the rest.

When Rashford had last scored at Old Trafford eight long months ago, he celebrated with a trademark index