Only a few weeks ago, Pep Guardiola’s suggestion that Erik ten Hag could be his long-term successor at Manchester City would have sounded ridiculous.
Ten Hag was facing the mother of all baptisms at Manchester United after back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford had plunged the Dutch-man into crisis and sent his new team spiralling to the bottom of the table.
The skies over Carrington may have been leaden, but the outlook now looks considerably brighter.
Four straight Premier League wins — including against Liverpool and Arsenal — have transformed the mood around Old Trafford and raised hopes that United can give Manchester City a run for their money at the Etihad tomorrow.