It has taken 10 months for Jose Mourinho’s rivalry with Pep Guardiola to come to the boil as they prepare to do battle in Thursday’s pivotal Manchester derby at the Etihad.
The very fact that two of the world’s top coaches are scrambling for a top-four place in the Premier League is an indication that the season has not gone entirely to plan.
The title race and FA Cup final will be fought out between the London clubs, relegating Mourinho’s highly-anticipated duel with Guardiola to little more than a sideshow.
There is still a huge amount at stake, however, with both men desperate to end their first season in Manchester with a Champions League place.