While Manchester United and Manchester City may well be close physically to each other, the figurative gap between the two clubs could not be greater.
United's demise since the Sir Alex Ferguson era has coincided with the new world order in the Premier League being established.
City have created a stronghold in English football that the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta have struggled to break. The Blues had become a force before Pep Guardiola arrived at the Etihad Stadium but they only truly became this all-conquering behemoth when the Catalonian arrived.
After what would be nine years at City, the nightmare from a Reds perspective could soon be over. READ MORE: Ten Hag has five ways to solve United problem READ MORE: Guardiola gives fresh City update The Times reports that the English FA made an informal approach for Guardiola at the beginning of the season in a bid to replace Gareth Southgate.