Manchester United 2-3 Tottenham: Future bright, says Andre Villas-Boas after Spurs end 23-year Old Trafford jinx

“Today we wrote history for our team and satisfaction comes from that,” Villas-Boas.

“During the week we talked to the players and the players really felt that they could nick a win here and I think first and second half was exactly the expression of that desire and ambition.”

And that desire and ambition was there for all to see as the Lilywhites opened the scoring after just two minutes through summer signing Jan Vertonghen before Gareth Bale doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark.

With the home side looking less than ordinary in the first 45 minutes United manager Alex Ferguson unleashed substitute Wayne Rooney after the break and the England striker made an immediate impact, setting up Nani to fire low past Brad Friedel.

Then started a spell of comical defending as the home side switched off and Dempsey went up the other end to restore the visitor’s two-goal advantage before a Shinji Kagawa strike less than a minute later once again reduced the deficit.

But despite wave after wave of attack the home side failed to find the back of the net again and Spurs headed south with a precious three points.

“We set out today to win the game and I think the way we played was unbelievable in the first-half. We had so much authority and so much confidence — it’s not common to see (that) in this ground,” added former Chelsea manager Villas-Boas.

“It’s an important three points that hopefully serve as an example for the future.”

Ferguson said afterwards that his side’s performance after the break deserved better — and claimed there should have been injury time added at the end of the match.

Ferguson said: “It was disappointing because the record has been fantastic.

“They gave us four minutes, that’s an insult to the game. It denies you a proper chance to win a football match.”

Ferguson added: “There were six substitutions, the trainer came on, so that’s four minutes right away and the goalkeeper must have wasted about two or three minutes and they took their time at every goal kick.”