Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went on the defensive when it was pointed out Manchester United had only kept one clean sheet in their last 15 matches ahead of facing Aston Villa at the weekend.
It wasn't the ideal response then to see his side conceded an 87th-minute header by Kortney Hause to extend that stretch to 16 and miss a late penalty which condemned them to their first Premier League defeat of the new season.
"It just shows the angle you're looking at and thinking, I'd rather score four or five or two and concede one than win 1-0," Solskjaer had responded to the pre-match clean-sheet stat, not that many fans would sympathise after the manner of their dismal defeat.
Entertainment might be a wish for match-going United fans but the primary goal remains to be winning matches, something which won't happen if they remain so limp in midfield and vulnerable in defence.
Injury to Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire certainly didn't help United's case in the weekend meeting with Villa but after such a seismic summer of investment it is wrong to suggest further spending is needed in order to finish this side off.
Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek have both impressed with performances over the past seven days though neither of them is currently granted as much trust by Solskjaer as the 'McFred' partnership which was once again lacking in quality.
There are few teams in world football who don't have at least one weak spot in their starting XI and it can't be used as an excuse should United fail to match their lofty ambitions for the season ahead.
Instead there is a clear need for tactical change in the coming weeks given the reoccurring issues which have been apparent throughout Solskjaer's reign at the club.
The Norwegian had cited Pep Guardiola last month when he reiterated a Premier League title bid could not be truly established in the opening eight matches of the new season, but that one could certainly be squandered.
With such a gruesome October schedule which sees United face last season's top six in the space of just seven matches, there was a feeling of real missed opportunity as supporters made their hasty exit from Old Trafford at full-time.
On the other half of the city Guardiola's side had just masterminded a potential season-defining win against early media favourites Chelsea to reaffirm their own credentials while United were left wondering what lies next ahead of a gruelling upcoming schedule.
Even with the mitigation of injury to Shaw and Maguire they should have had enough world-class attacking talent to beat Dean Smith's side at Old Trafford but once again struggled to ever look in control of their own destiny in an end-to-end encounter.
With such a talented squad at their disposal there will be little sympathy for Solskjaer if such dire displays are repeated in the weeks ahead, whether he deserves it or not.
After a summer in which they signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho the manager will be the one to pay the price if form does not take a dramatic turn.
United have a world-class squad but it remains to be seen if they have the right manager to match - the next month could define his legacy at the club.
