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OLD TRAFFORD – Lisandro Martinez has long been a cult hero in Manchester. The Butcher takes no prisoners but conducts himself with a finesse that belies his ruthless reputation.

Yet, as Manchester United slumped to their worst start to a season in 40 years, Martinez epitomises why this sleeping giant of world football will likely remain in its slumber for a long while yet.

Even the longest international break in history has not changed United one bit.

Michael Carrick did so much right last season and got supporters believing again. Yet, the start to the current campaign has been just like the majority of those that came before in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson wilderness years.

A regroup was needed. A chance to remember what breathed life into United again last term. Instead, what occurred was, of course, their worst 45 minutes of the season upon the Premier League’s return against Tottenham.

A remotely competent attack would have buried United by half time. Instead, Carrick was left to fight another day.

Fortunately for the disgruntled masses inside Old Trafford, it appeared the hosts had done what they have so often while flattering to deceive in terms of overall performance – snatch victory from the jaws of defeat through Bryan Mbeumo’s fine finish. United in fact looked home and dry after Rodrigo Bentancur lost his head and was sent off late on.

There can never be such security where United are concerned.

Against the depleted Spurs, who looked destined to suffer another defeat from a showing that promised so much more, United retreated. A team that has not kept a clean sheet all season, and only three in their last 17 league games, was always going to crumble under the mere suggestion of any pressure.

Instead of competing with Dominic Solanke for Sandro Tonali’s stoppage-time cross, Martinez chose a more unconventional path – leaning backwards and hoping the Spurs skipper would fluff his lines, a tactic that had been successful during regulation time.

On this rare occasion, however, Solanke got a deadly touch to deny United victory against 10 men for a second successive home match. Six points from six matches and yet another nadir.

The back four who finished the match were Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw. Look familiar? It is the same quartet that started the opening day defeat to Brighton four years previously.

All four have their own merits, and Martinez especially could have been considered elite in his prime, when fully fit. Both junctures he is now well past. As a unit, that rearguard was not good enough four years ago. And it certainly isn’t now.

A midfield rebuild was a must in the summer. A sensible revamp took place, three fresh faces coming in without breaking the bank – or getting many pulses racing.

Some of that £150m outlay, if that was all Ineos could conjure, had to be funnelled into the backline. Neglecting to do so leaves an ageing, ill-equipped defensive unit acting as the anchor to any United progress.

One United source this week questioned much of the negativity that had come the club’s way this term. Had Ainsley Maitland-Niles not arrowed a stoppage-time thunderbolt into the top corner, Carrick’s side would have picked up two more points at Everton. Had VAR been remotely capable in the Manchester derby, they may have not slumped to defeat to City.

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The reality is that in terms of performance, United are exactly where they deserve to be. Other than one half against Ipswich, having benefitted from a rather fortunate refereeing call, Carrick’s side have been beyond bad, as far from their former glories as they ever have been.

There were positives in the Spurs anguish. Carlos Baleba looked especially impressive when stepping off the bench for his debut, while Mbeumo offered intensity beyond the levels he has reached in a red shirt so far.

But with that backline as it is now, exactly the same as it was four years ago, United are never going to get anywhere anytime soon.