It merely delays the inevitable, of course. But given that they are no longer even the best team in their city, Manchester United will take what they can get these days. And presented with a chance to seize temporary Mancunian bragging rights, they did so in the most-dramatic fashion.
Indeed, so convoluted was their victory on Saturday at the Etihad, City’s first defeat here in the Premier League since 2016, that at times it reminded you of that old Manchester City, the one that embraced calamity.
The City players carried their children onto the pitch in their arms even before kick-off, seemingly ready for celebration. It might have been presumptuous, but it initially seemed prescient. City were in full cry, cruising towards a record-breaking title win with six games to spare. Two-nil up – it should really have been four – United were embarrassing themselves.
It was pretty awful for Sir Alex Ferguson when Sergio Aguero wrested the title from them with the last kick of the season in 2012. But as he watched the first half from the stands on Saturday, he might have reflected this seemed worse. At least they were in that title race. Pep Guardiola’s swaggering team, even with a clutch of reserves playing, were weaving their magic and the party was in full swing. Jose Mourinho was reduced to muttering at the fourth official.
And then Paul Pogba, hair dyed light blue to Gary Neville’s chagrin, yet otherwise anonymous, took a step forward and the player United thought they had signed suddenly emerged. Two goals in 97 seconds transformed the game. A lovely volley from Chris Smalling then, incredibly, won it.
Like Samson tearing down the temple on his tormenters, United managed to turn a planned humiliation into a last roar of defiance. Mourinho once destroyed Liverpool’s title hopes at Anfield, insisting that he wasn’t about to play the part of the clown at the celebration party. Saturday wasn’t as significant as that. But it was marker, not least for Pogba.
‘Of course, two goals for a midfield player in a big match like this one stays in the memory of the people, especially the fans,’ said Mourinho. ‘He needs that confidence because he knows, I know he had some performances not at the level of expectation we have from Paul.’
As for City, it was a second capitulation in five days. They aren’t accustomed to this. Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi, excellent of late, reverted to being brittle centre halves again. Raheem Sterling, a wonderful provider, was an awful finisher on the day. Good as they are, City have room to improve.
Guardiola was phlegmatic. ‘Of course we are sad and sad for our fans. But we still have 84 points, 30-plus goal difference and we have to win two more games. And we are going to try as quick as possible to get it.’