No self-respecting football journalist should start with the fact that Manchester United have lost their ninth home game in all competitions this season, equalling the club's worst record in 50 years, and that it rained like the biblical rain at Old Trafford.
Within two hours of the final whistle, around 41 millimetres of rain fell at Sir Matt Busby Road, more than in all of May last year, overwhelming the stadium's famously leaky roof.
At one point, a waterfall formed at the corner of Sir Alex Ferguson's Grandstand and East Stand, cascading down from the roof to the ground. By this time, Ten Hag had already walked down the aisle, and he was not only defeated, but also soaking wet.
A symbol of United's decade of decline in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, a symbol of the Glazer family's long-term failed investments on and off the pitch, and a symbol of the tragic season itself, the rain after the final whistle couldn't have been more appropriate.
But the problem is that it is not the right way to describe Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
In a number of games over the past few months, opponents have often been relentless, pouring into United's half and creating plenty of scoring chances. However, that was not entirely the case on Sunday, with Arsenal taking all three points thanks to Leandro Trossard's first-half goal.
Manchester United have been shot at by different opponents of late, but the Premier League leaders had 11 shots on target, just one more than vice-leaders Sheffield United a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, it was also the second-fewest league games United have conceded since the start of the year, against Luton Town and Burnley, who conceded more, as did Newport in the FA Cup.
Another criticism that Manchester United have often received lately is the lack of control. However, United managed 54 per cent possession in this game, the only time this season that they dominated possession in a Big6 civil war, having previously managed 45 per cent possession at best.
Of course, United have produced little to no dangerous attack. Expected goals (xG), Arsenal 1.71, Manchester United 0.64. Arsenal won, but the credit went largely to Trossard, and the goal was thanks to Casemiro's mistake.
Casemiro didn't get forward in time after Onana cleared the ball and Havertz was just offside after the ball was converted, which was an unforgivable mistake and a fatal mistake.
On top of that, this Manchester United team – more precisely, the manager of Manchester United – has adopted a damage limiting model that, while not fully setting up the bus, has certainly reduced the messy style we've become accustomed to. It's also more suited to some players in the starting lineup.
Amrabat has often struggled to keep up with the pace of the Premier League, and while it has occasionally struggled to keep up with Arsenal's attack, this game was probably his most impressive Premier League game since his loan spell, with composure on the pitch and tough enough defensively.
With Fernandes out injured, United naturally lacked creativity, but Garnacho repeatedly caused problems for opponents, but his judgment in the last one was not good enough.
Winger Diallo is less explosive, but he is steady on the ball, rarely kicks on the right flank, and was United's brightest player before going off injured.
Overall, United were more patient and better organised in possession. This style of play seems to be more suitable for a team that grits its its teeth and crosses the line. One wonders if the last few weeks would have been different if United had played in this slightly calm environment earlier.
It's still not good enough. It was United's 14th league defeat of the season and they sit eighth in the table and have the potential to set a new record for the lowest Premier League points in their history. They have a goal difference of -4, 65 fewer than Arsenal.
So why should we praise Manchester United's slight improvement? Are the standards really that low now? Unfortunately, it does.
Ten Hag was asked in his post-match press conference whether highlighting a handful of positives after yet another defeat would only indicate the deplorable situation the club is in. It was a good question, and he answered it well.
"It shouldn't be like this, you're right, but I'm going to get back to all the problems we have." 'When you analyse the team's performance, we're competitive, but that's not what you want. We have to win, we have to win every game, but we shouldn't be in a situation like this, definitely not this team full of injuries. ”
While there are discussions within United about how to define the future of play, the focus of the remaining three games of the season must be on the results first, and two objectives must be achieved – to qualify for Europe and win trophies.
The attainment of Goal 1 seems to depend increasingly on Goal 2.
Two months ago, Manchester United tried to defend on the counter-attack at the Etihad, and despite scoring first, they were beaten by their opponents. The Reds adopted a more controlling and patient approach against Arsenal, who were modeled after Manchester City, which could provide some ideas for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
It's definitely not a foolproof plan and probably not good enough, as it was this time. But a few small changes could at least patch many of United's holes, and once they do, maybe they can start patching up the roof.