كتب : Hatem Maher
Veteran winger Ryan Giggs scored the winner early in the first-half to leave Egyptian duo Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' and Hossam Ghaly disappointed on their first appearance together.
United remained in charge of the table on 12 points while Tottenham moved down to 15th spot with just three points.
This was Mido's first game in Tottenham colors after the reunion. It was also Ghaly's debut in the Premiership.
Yet, the duo was booked in the 57th minute, with Ghaly cautioned after an aggressive challenge on Patrice Evra and Mido protesting his compatriot's yellow card.
United were ahead as early as the ninth minute when Cristiano Ronaldo sent a powerful free-kick that was parried by Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson into the path of Giggs who headed home on the rebound.
Tottenham almost leveled the score in the 37th minute when Edgar Davids chipped the ball through to Michael Dawson, whose shot was blocked by United's advancing keeper Edwin Van der Sar.
Substitute Jermain Defoe squandered the equalizer in the 68th minute when he poorly headed Assou-Ekotto's inch-perfect cross.
Ten minutes later, Ghaly sent a long cross to unmarked Mido who produced a weak header straight into Van der Sar's hands.
Elsewhere, English champions Chelsea grabbed their third win of the season after beating Charlton Athletic 2-1 at the Stamford Bridge.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's goal for Charlton in the 54th minute cancelled out Didier Drogba's opener after six minutes.
Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho sealed the victory three minutes past the hour mark.
The victory put Chelsea in fourth place with nine points while Charlton were left 16th with just three points.