An away end in a cup match at a big Premier League stadium is always a lively experience. Despite the inconvenient date and kick-off time at Tottenham on Thursday, the 5,800-or-so Manchester United enjoyed their night out in the capital.

It was a noisy congregation a week before Christmas, and the away end belted out the name of the head coach within the first 15 minutes. There were roars during the first half for an encouraging United display, and the noise was relentless as United threatened a stunning second-half comeback.

That petered out in the end, but many of the away supporters stayed behind to applaud their team's efforts. As they exited the stadium and contemplated the long journey back to Manchester, United fans would have been greeted by an unfamiliar feeling. Was that pride in a defeat? If not quite pride, then encouragement and acceptance? Excitement at what is to come?

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This was the seventh defeat of the season already, but unlike so many of the previous losses, it felt borderline positive. It might well have been the most assured United have looked in possession in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system. Having fielded a rotated team with fringe players given a chance, United held their own against a much stronger Spurs side.

You could certainly look at that display and find reasons to believe a corner is being turned and progress is being made. Amorim is eight games in now, and this was the third defeat on his watch, but as every match passes, this team looks more at home in his shape. There are still square pegs in round holes, but there is reason to believe that under the 39-year-old, they can climb the league table and certainly challenge for the Europa League.

When was the last time United lost a game, but supporters left believing that what they saw highlighted a path forward? Certainly not the 3-0 defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham earlier this season or even the 2-1 defeats to Brighton and West Ham, given the level of the opponents.

It's hard to think of a defeat last season that felt like the performance outweighed the result. Maybe the 3-1 loss to Arsenal on September 3, 2023, when a tight offside call might have even handed United a late win in a dramatic finale? It still didn't feel like they competed as equals that day, but given what was to come last season, it was one of the better displays.

There was nothing like this, though. The result was frustrating, and losing a quarter-final you probably shaded on the balance of play will hurt, especially with such appealing ties to be had in the last four, but take a step back and look at the bigger picture, and United fans liked what they were seeing.

There is progress here and an identity to get behind. It was visible in the second half, especially at the Etihad last weekend and most of the night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Individual errors need to be cut out, and the squad still needs to be reshaped for Amorim, but after eight games, there is already a base to work from.

For so long, United have lacked an identity as a football team. On Thursday night, you could see one taking shape. That is why those away fans enjoyed what they were seeing, even if they didn't enjoy the result.