'United's fans will like to think this victory was further sign of a mini-revival, but a truer assessment will come when they face a team that does not roll into Old Trafford with a white flag waving from the top of their bus.
Charlton's slumbering performance reflected badly on the Premiership and even worse on Alan Curbishley, who had to tell off a journalist for yawning in his post-match conference.
Even when United were at their peak a few years ago, in the days when Arsenal had six put past them and Old Trafford inspired genuine fear among opponents, it is difficult to remember another side that has employed such methods of conservatism. For it to be Charlton, a team that supposedly thrives on dismantling lofty reputations, indicates that Curbishley's willing but limited squad has lost its most endearing quality.
Nearly an hour had passed before Charlton had even forced a corner and the entire match meandered along without them managing a shot on target. Sir Alex Ferguson's team never came close to replicating their most exhilarating peaks but Charlton had neither the wit nor gumption to do anything about it.
Darren Fletcher demonstrated on Saturday why he is so highly regarded by Ferguson while Wayne Rooney supplied the penetrative edge, operating in a roving role that saw him pop up at one stage in the left-back position. Rooney's forward thrusts livened up an afternoon of drowsy satisfaction for the home side, even if he wasted as many as four presentable opportunities.
His finishing skills may have to be fine-tuned but the profligacy scarcely mattered to Ferguson given that this was the first weekend this season that United have taken more points than Arsenal or Chelsea.
Ferguson spoke afterwards about the dourness of visitors to Old Trafford this season - Manchester City also failed to register a single effort on target last month - but his most interesting post-match comments concerned the takeover plans of the American tycoon Malcolm Glazer. "We don't want the club in anyone else's hands," he said "That is the way the club stands and I support that."
Ferguson was merely confirming what everyone knew, but by nailing his colours to the mast he knew the damage it would cause the Glazer camp. The American is looking more and more like a spent force, much like United's opponents on Saturday.'