United created several good chances in the first half, with Juan Mata's deflected free-kick hitting the post.
Home keeper Hugo Lloris also denied Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Ashley Young as Spurs offered little.
Spurs's Andros Townsend saw two shots easily saved, but the hosts rallied late on with Ryan Mason firing over.
Mauricio Pochettino's team have scored late winners against Swansea and Leicester recently but, despite enjoying plenty of possession in the final 15 minutes, could not create any last-gasp drama against third-placed United.
United boss Louis Van Gaal grimaced as he disappeared down the White Hart Lane tunnel, probably wondering how his side did not close the gap on leaders Chelsea and second-placed City ahead of their matches later on Sunday.
The Dutchman has been critical of the Premier League's busy Christmas schedule, but decided to name an unchanged XI from the 3-1 home win against Newcastle less than 48 hours earlier.
Despite the short turnaround, his players looked full of energy as they dominated the first half, moving the ball quickly - and with purpose - as they picked holes in the Spurs defence.
Mata's free-kick clipped the home wall and deflected on to Lloris's left-hand post before only Vlad Chiriches's desperate lunge prevented Falcao scrambling in the rebound.
Seconds later, Phil Jones thought his close-range header had crossed the Spurs line before Jan Vertonghen's acrobatic clearance, and although the United defender was proved right by goal-line technology, he was denied by an offside flag.
While the possession and territorial statistics were evenly matched at the break, United continued to create the goalscoring opportunities.
Falcao shot tamely at Lloris, Van Persie could not convert when clean through and the France keeper brilliantly tipped away Young's curling shot.
But United appeared to tire after the break, failing to have a shot on target, as Spurs improved.
Knowing they would move into the top four with their fourth straight win, Spurs pressed higher up the pitch as the visitors were not allowed the time or space that they enjoyed in the first half.
Pochettino's men have struggled to score at White Hart Lane - netting just seven times in their last eight Premier League home games - and could not beat De Gea as Spurs continue to search for their first home league win against United since 2001.
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