Manchester United's collapse at Tottenham means they have now gone seven away games without a win against teams in the top-half of the Premier League.
For the most part, Erik ten Hag 's first season at United has been a success, with the Red Devils having won the Carabao Cup and mounting a challenge for a top four spot. But a number of problems have risen to the surface under the Dutchman, primarily United's awful form against teams in the top nine.
That issue was evident again on Thursday as Ten Hag's men collapsed against Tottenham, with the Red Devils initially going two goals up in North London. But they threw that lead away in the second-half to be held to a draw, meaning United are still winless away from home when playing the top nine teams in the table.
That dreadful run of form started in the second game of the season when they were smashed 4-0 at Brentford, who sit ninth. Title challengers Manchester City then ran riot against Ten Hag's men at the Etihad Stadium to win 6-3.
United also fell to defeat at sixth-place Aston Villa just before the World Cup, with Unai Emery's men winning 3-1. Their wretched form continued after the Premier League's return, with leaders Arsenal claiming a 3-2 win at the Emirates Stadium.
Perhaps the most chastening defeat came against seventh-placed Liverpool in March, with the Reds smashing United 7-0 at Anfield. A 2-0 defeat to top four-chasing Newcastle rounded off the run of defeats to the division's top sides.
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In fact, Thursday's draw at Spurs was the first time Ten Hag has secured a point when playing away at one of the teams currently in the top nine. They have a final opportunity to break that duck, with a trip to eighth-placed Brighton next Thursday.
The Seagulls defeated United in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season. And Ten Hag was left far from pleased with how his side contrived to throw away what would have been a crucial three points.
"My opinion was we didn't play that well. We had a lot of chances but we didn't finish. We were not clinical enough, but we scored two times. And then you have to finish the game," the United boss said.
"The goals we conceded, they were so easy. We didn't block the crosses and you have to be proactive there. We have to come out to block the shot with the second long ball and we didn't squeeze out - it was so easy for them and it kept coming and it was so easy to score a goal then.
"We come into every game to win, but it was clear how they managed the game. We wanted to win, which we didn't. I think before, the draw was okay. But when you see this game, when you are 2-0 up, of course then you have to manage the game and put it over the line.
"If we win on Sunday, yeah, that would be a great week. But first we have to get to that point and therefore we need all the energy and recover. Get ready for that game, get the energy, get the focus. And then we go again."
