This would have been considered sacrilege among Old Trafford loyalists only a year ago but there is a feeling among some who claim an affinity to United that the best years are coming to an end.
As Liverpool discovered after four European Cup wins and two decades of domestic domination, nothing lasts forever.
"After so many years of success it was difficult to face the reality when it began to draw to a close," recalled one of Liverpool's great servants, Mark Lawrenson, a spectator as United beat his old team 2-1 on Monday night.
Ferguson took charge at United in November 1986 - Spurs have had 10 managerial changes during his reign - and has enjoyed nothing but success since salvaging
his position in 1990 by winning the FA Cup. But, after just six games this season, it's already obvious that his chances of a ninth Premiership title are more dependent on the collapse of Arsenal and Chelsea than any improvement in his own team's form.
Arsenal, who visit Kevin Keegan's City, are possibly playing some of the most entertaining and successful football seen in the Premier League.
They will hit turbulence at some stage in the next seven months but it's unlikely that Arsene Wenger would allow that to completely erode the seven-point lead they already enjoy over United.
Arsenal's pedigree, of course, is well established. They have won the Premiership three times under Wenger but, it seems, they may no longer be London's only challenge to Ferguson's domination.
The defending champions currently share with Chelsea and Spurs the distinction of being the only unbeaten Premier League teams.
The three London clubs also share a common belief in the value of diversity.
It doesn't say much for the state of English coaching when most of the key football jobs at London's top clubs are all held by foreigners - Wenger and Boro Primorac at Arsenal, Jose Mourinho, Baltemar Brito and Rui Faria at Chelsea, and Frank Arnesen, Santini and Martin Jol at Spurs.
But one source of encouragement in Tottenham's possible re-emergence is the faith the former manager of France has placed in three of Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup candidates.
Paul Robinson, Ledley King and Jermain Defoe all played in England's 2-1 win in Poland, along with Chelsea's John Terry, Frank Lampard and Wayne Bridge and Arsenal's Ashley Cole. All will be in the squad for next month's qualifying ties against Wales and Azerbaijan.
United's Gary Neville was the only representative from Old Trafford in the starting line-up against the Poles and, in a sense, Robinson's selection ahead of Manchester City goalkeeper David James was symbolic of the declining influence among the big battalions in the North and the growing strength of the London clubs in the England squad.
Robinson, who spent three seasons in Leeds United's first team before joining Spurs in the summer, has been an influential figure, conceding just two goals in Tottenham's unbeaten sixmatch start to the season.
"Yes, they've surprised me with their start," admitted former Spurs and Arsenal manager George Graham. "It's very encouraging. I saw them at Stamford Bridge.
"It wasn't just a good result but a good performance.
"The new manager has got them organised and working hard but what is important now is that they don't get carried away after a few good results."
Graham's two Championshipwinning teams at Arsenal left Wenger with a solid platform from which to build, and he is full of admiration for the job the Frenchman has done.
"Arsenal are just fantastic and wonderful to watch," said Graham. "Manchester United have great attacking options and the players to score lots of goals but, for me, they have problems in midfield and defence.
"How, for instance, do you replace a player of Roy Keane's quality?
"Alex has a bit to do, but I've known him a long time. It would be unwise to write him off. He's like all Scots - we love a challenge!"
