Unfortunately you're allowing yourself to be sucked in to the myth and hyperbole of utd previously being side full of flair and attacking intent, a myth generated and espoused by the rag loving sycophants that are the UK media.
Even during their most successful periods under the GPC utd were primarily about defending in numbers, constant pressing of the opposition not allowing them to play and then attacking on the break... it required a high level of discipline and work rate as well as ruthless efficiency at taking their chances (which is something they've always seemed to possess) but they were never a real flair or cavalier, all out attack, caution to the wind, type of side