So, it will have to be Jose Mourinho then.

The attitude of Manchester United fans to the inevitable announcement that Pep Guardiola will join Manchester City this summer was like winning second prize in the lottery: not the worst alternative, but a long way behind the best.

While City has coveted the Catalan since he joined Bayern Munich three years ago, United has seen the world's most wanted manager not just slip from the club’s grasp, but join those who Sir Alex Ferguson called the noisy neighbors.