Louis van Gaal insisted he has no regrets over turning down Tottenham after watching his Manchester United side suffer a damaging 3-0 Premier League defeat at White Hart Lane.
Van Gaal said he "came very close" to taking charge of Tottenham during the close season of 2014 before plumping for the vacant post at Old Trafford.
This apparent gulf was emphatically underlined on Sunday, as second-half goals in the space of six breath-taking minutes from Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld and Erik Lamela maintained Tottenham's push in the battle for the Premier League with leaders Leicester City.
By contrast, United's more modest aim of securing the top-four finish Leicester are now guaranteed was knocked off course as they slumped to four points behind rivals Manchester City.
"I think on balance we are still ahead [of Tottenham]," he said. "And you take one match and say the challenge is bigger?
"The challenge is bigger at a bigger club. I liked Tottenham, and [Spurs chairman] Daniel Levy knows that, but I like big challenges and Manchester United is a bigger club.
"I think it is pathetic to ask that because they win 3-0."
"No, I don't think so. In the first 20 minutes we were the better team," he added.
