Ange Postecoglou's men needed just 155 seconds to take the lead through Brennan Johnson, and while they were then their own worst enemies in front of goal, Bruno Fernandes aided their quest for more goals by receiving the first red card of his Man United career.
The Lilywhites made the most of Fernandes's dismissal as Dejan Kulusevski hooked in an improvised volley just two minutes into the second half, before Dominic Solanke put the cherry on top for Spurs, who could have easily scored a few more against their pitiful hosts.
Here, Sports Mole provides player ratings from Tottenham's emphatic victory at Old Trafford.
Man United player ratings vs. Tottenham: 3/10 for Fernandes after maiden Red Devils red
GOALKEEPER
Andre Onana - 6/10
None of Tottenham's goals could be pinned on the goalkeeper, who was one of the only reasons that the scoreline was not more chastening, making seven saves to temporarily hold back the barrage of Tottenham attacjs.
DEFENCE
Noussair Mazraoui - 5/10
One vital clearance in the first half, but he was one of the players bypassed by Van de Ven for Spurs' first. Struggled to contain Timo Werner for the most part.
Matthijs de Ligt - 6/10
Left for dead by Van de Ven but made some important blocks in first half. Tried in vain to stop Johnson's cross for Kulusevski's strike.
Lisandro Martinez - 5/10
His front-footed style got the better of him as he made a bad mistake for Tottenham's second goal, trying to put in a challenge on the halfway line and getting it all wrong. Still made several interceptions and one nice ball over the top for Casemiro, but those mattered little.
Diogo Dalot - 4/10
An extremely sloppy first-half performance and was nowhere to be seen for Johnson or Kulusevski's goals. Yellow card capped off an underwhelming display.
MIDFIELD
Kobbie Mainoo - 5/10
Had little impact during his short time on the field, which came to an end as he was substituted for Mason Mount just after Fernandes's red. Another untimely injury concern for Ten Hag.
Manuel Ugarte - 5/10
Making his full Premier League debut and was burned by Van de Ven before being easily bypassed by a James Maddison one-two not long after. Steadied the ship after and made some effective tackles, albeit while also giving away some cheap fouls.
Bruno Fernandes - 3/10
Was it a red? Was it not a red? That debate will no doubt rage on for days, but the Manchester United captain gave Chris Kavanagh a decision to make when he swiped at James Maddison's leg with a high foot, albeit after he had slipped. A few nice passes before that, not that they mattered much.
ATTACK
Alejandro Garnacho - 6/10
Had United's best chance of the first half with a volley that hit the post and carried the threat in the second, albeit to little effect. Has to be starting every game for the Red Devils.
Joshua Zirkzee - 4/10
Had one of United's only chances in the first half but was denied by a brilliant Guglielmo Vicario save. Anonymous otherwise and off for Casemiro at half time.
Marcus Rashford - 4/10
It was his heavy touch that set Van de Ven away, but he did not even make an effort to regain possession and just carried on running for a few seconds while looking up in despair. Wasted a good chance after as he failed to put the ball on a plate for Zirkzee. Another forgettable afternoon.
SUBSTITUTES
Mason Mount - 5/10
Brought on for the injured Kobbie Mainoo but could not make a meaningful impact with United down to 10. Just 16 touches of the ball before coming off himself with a head injury. Booked.
Casemiro - 6/10
First act was to be nudged out of the way of the ball far too easily by Dominic Solanke for Kulusevski's goal. Came agonisingly close to scoring with a volley and was steady overall.
Christian Eriksen - 4/10
First two contributions were a corner and a free kick that did not even beat the first man. Was then taught a lesson in set-piece taking by Lucas Bergvall. Poor.
Rasmus Hojlund - 4/10
Touched the ball once, was caught offside once. Not a lot more to add.
Amad Diallo - 5/10
Replaced the bloodied Mount late on and got stuck in straight away, but he was always facing an uphill task to make an impact.
Tottenham player ratings vs. Man United: Van de Ven takes Man of the Match
GOALKEEPER
Guglielmo Vicario - 6/10
Only called into action once in the first half, making a full-length stop from Zirkzee. Was otherwise a spectator.
DEFENCE
Pedro Porro - 7/10
Did not stop running all day long and some nifty defensive work, both on the flank and in an inverted role.
Cristian Romero - 7/10
Almost scored an amazing bicycle kick and was a composed presence in a free-flowing Tottenham side.
Micky van de Ven - 9/10
For any FIFA aficionados out there - his blistering run for Johnson's opener took me back to setting the sliders to 100 pace and burning defences like they were not even there. Completely unfazed defensively too and a deserved man of the match.
Destiny Udogie - 5/10
One of his quieter halves as Van de Ven stole the defensive spotlight, but was a nuisance on the left as he drew three fouls. Off injured at half time, though - a concern for Postecoglou.
MIDFIELD
Rodrigo Bentancur - 7/10
A brilliant ball-winning performance in first half and was accurate with his passing all afternoon long. Certainly won the midfield battle with compatriot Ugarte.
Dejan Kulusevski - 8/10
The Swede may have only ended the game with one goal to his name, but he created a staggering nine chances and deserved an assist for a brilliant pass to Werner. Flourishing in his midfield role.
James Maddison - 6/10
A quieter display from Spurs' number 10 as he left the playmaking to Kulusevski, but made some nice long passes and did not do much wrong.
ATTACK
Timo Werner - 5/10
Stepped in for the injured Son Heung-min but did not do his captain justice, hitting two massive chances straight at Onana. Was a tricky operator down the left but let himself down with more atrocious finishing.
Brennan Johnson - 9/10
The man in form, he had the easiest of finishes from a couple of yards out and claimed the assist for Kulusevski's volley at the start of the second half. What a change from a few weeks ago!
Dominic Solanke - 7/10
Not even he could probably have believed how easily he ghosted past a static Spurs backline for his third goal in as many games, although he wasted a couple of other gilt-edged chances, denying him a higher rating.
SUBSTITUTES
Djed Spence - 5/10
Came on for the injured Udogie in the second half but did not get much change out of United's defenders - was 0/3 on take-on attempts.
Mikey Moore - 6/10
Came close to notching a fourth for his side with a late curler that just fizzed past the post. His name was sung by Spurs supporters after Werner missed his second big opportunity.
Lucas Bergvall - 7/10
Unlike Eriksen, his first act was to provide a delightful corner which led to Solanke's goal. A serious talent
Pape Sarr - 7/10
Flicked on the corner from fellow substitute Bergvall and claimed the assist for Spurs' third goal.
Radu Dragusin - 6/10
Came on late to help Spurs preserve their clean sheet.