Beating Tottenham saved Solskjaer's Man United job but second chance could be an era-defining mistake as Spurs appoint Conte

Just seven days later, though, and the Italian is now Tottenham Hotspur manager after the Red Devils beat them 3-0 in north London - but could the victory now be an era-defining mistake for United?

Let's face it, even Norwich City would have fancied their chances against a toothless Spurs side which barely laid a glove on an opponent reeling from one of the worst results in their history.

Solskjaer has credit in the bank with the United board, it was claimed, while legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson had his corner too.

But it may not be too long before we see Fergie shaking his head in disgust again at a United display.

Even Solskjaer himself has admitted he's taking things one game at a time.

"I think you just have to look at the next game, get a result in that one," he said ahead of the Champions League game with Atalanta.

"We're in a decent position but you need a result away from home to go through so all eyes and all focus is on this one then you look forward to the next one after that.

"We haven't been thinking about that [the derby] at all. This is going to be a difficult game."

And you can't blame him being fretful ahead of their next six matches.

That's what now seems absurd about United's decision to keep faith after an inevitable win over a pathetic Spurs side.

Tottenham have now claimed the managerial market's 'most eligible bachelor' in Conte and if Solskjaer's men do return to their slump, they will be left with a significantly weaker pool of potential replacements.

Even Zinedine Zidane, reportedly, doesn't fancy taking over at Old Trafford despite being near the top of fans' wishlists.

If United exit the Champions League in miserable circumstances and suffer losses to rivals Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal, they will be well down the Premier League table and all after re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo and snagging Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.

As Solskjaer correctly said after the news of Nuno's sacking: "It's never nice to see good men lose their jobs."

However, sometimes, it's necessary to avoid the risk of failure and to keep ahead of your rivals.

Had Solskjaer been given the heave-ho, there's no doubt Conte would have jumped at the chance to take charge of United.

And the very fact the Italian took the Spurs role when the hotseat at Old Trafford could be available soon left ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan dumbfounded.

"Conte would rather choose Tottenham Hotspur over the potential, inevitable opening at Man United sooner rather than later? I'm staggered," he told talkSPORT.

Backing Solskjaer was risky business from Manchester United.

If their gamble doesn't pay off, it could set them back even further in their bid to be Premier League title contenders.

All the while Tottenham may well profit from United's decision not to pull trigger and battle them for a top four spot.