Under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United is still perfect.
A giant banner was pulled across the Stretford End to wish Sir Alex Ferguson a happy birthday as the teams came out of the tunnel.
It is hard to believe that Ferguson has reached such a landmark, because nine years have passed since he left the Old United hotseat.
Since then, United have been trying to regain their status as England's number one club, which they assumed with authority for so much of Ferguson's reign.
They seemed to be getting close a year ago. On New Year's Day, they were top of the league.
The intervening year has not gone well for United. They lost to Manchester City in the semi-finals of the cup and the final to Villarreal. After losing their way completely during the autumn, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lost his job.
Every year since 1989, United have ended the year in the top six thanks to the quick return to life of Ralf Rangnick.
The German still has a lot of work to do.
Reaction to Man Utd's win.
You can go to the Manchester United page.
The energy levels of Manchester United were praised by the man.
There are uncertainties.
When he first spoke to the media after arriving at Old United, he said the squad was not too small.
The names of 32 players are listed on the back of United's match programme, all of whom could potentially make the first-team squad.
Some of the futures of the younger players have already been shaped. Amad Diallo was not selected for the Africa Cup of Nations and will be going on a loan. The plan is for Anthony Elanga to stay and try to build on the three senior appearances he has already made this term.
It is more difficult for others.
Anthony Martial wants to leave France. Sevilla have had one loan request turned down as United demand all Martial's wages are covered, in addition to his club receiving a loan fee.
The talks are finding some common ground. Martial is on the outside.
Jesse Lingard's contract expires in the summer. It looks like Lingard will leave Old United as a free agent.
Dean Henderson wants to play first-team football in the second half of the season, but Rangnick wants him to stay.
Juan Mata could leave next month having not started a premier league game since signing a one-year extension last summer, and then there is Paul Pogba, whose contract also expires in the summer with United in the uncomfortable position of either offering improved terms to a player who hardly deserves it, or risk
The team ethic.
There have been issues to address among the players whose futures are firmly in place.
Gary said that the arm-waving of the players in particular was a depressing sight, and labelled some of the club's players "whinge bags".
The below-par performance of his team was more important than the below-par performance of his team after the game.
He told a different story after the win.
He said that in team sports it is important to be sure about what you are doing.
It was a difficult game for us. We were down by one after seven minutes. They did well and we didn't play well, therefore the reaction to what is happening on the pitch is the question.
Do we fight back and show that we are a team that believes in ourselves? Do we shake our heads and wave our arms to help the other team, or do we damage our own? It was clear to me that it was important for us to work and behave as a team and not show these kinds of side effects on the pitch.
The positives.
Since the middle of last season, United have been on an eight-match run, which is the longest since Michael Carrick and Rangnick took charge.
Even if Manchester City are almost as far in front of Rangnick's team as United are in front of the bottom side, they are still within sight.
Scott McTominay has impressed in central midfield, and it seems thatRonaldo still has his goal scoring touch.
It proved beyond Solskjaer, but if the continued fitness of Raphael Varane would make it easier to find a central defensive pair, United may have a base from which to unleash their unquestioned attacking talents.
There is no certainty for the positives. It has been that way for a long time.
Ed Woodward is about to give up his role as executive vice-chairman as Ferguson celebrates his 80th birthday on New Year's Eve.
Woodward's tenure has not been a good one.
United fans hope Woodward's successor has better fortune.
