Man United were eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid last month, and they will return to the city this week.
Diego Simeone destroyed Manchester United's Champions League ambitions this season.
Three weeks after deflating Manchester United's chances of winning the Champions League this season, Atletico Madrid return to the city tonight hoping to inflict the same damage on the obnoxious neighbors as they did on Ralf Rangnick's team before the international break.
This time, Manchester Airport will not be the most difficult challenge for the La Liga side to overcome, with City providing a far greater test of strength than a United side devoid of ideas and self-belief.
For manager Diego Simeone, it represents another chance to exhibit his idea to a wider European audience, as well as another opportunity to demonstrate why he is deserving of a Premier League job in the future.
Simeone had previously been pushed for the United job, with club legend Gary Neville even suggesting him after last month's Champions League tie.
"Diego Simeone should be an option, but getting him out of Atletico Madrid has never been possible," Neville said during a Sky Sports Q&A. "Fantastic coach, tough in his approach to the game, in every manner, I believe. He's a tough boss, and Manchester United require one.
"Manchester United require a manager who can compete with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola — they're the best, therefore they require someone who can stand on that touchline and feel equal to them, and I believe Simeone can."
"I wouldn't rule Simeone out completely, but I think Ten Hag and Pochettino are the way forward because they'll want a progressive coach who plays a certain manner and is probably a little bit cheaper and available."
According to figures revealed by L'Equipe last month, Simeone is the highest-paid coach in European football, with a monthly compensation of €3.33 million. Pep Guardiola, the coach of Manchester City, is supposedly second at €1.89m, Jurgen Klopp is third at €1.49m, Antonio Conte is fourth at €1.49m, and Massimiliano Allegri is fifth at €1.17m.
Those figures should always be treated with a grain of salt, but if United's goal is to reclaim their place as the top team in English football and to erase the culture of player power that exists at Old Trafford, then a manager's salary should not be a stumbling obstacle.
Simeone has won two La Liga titles, two Champions League finals, two Europa Leagues, two European Super Cups, and three domestic cup competitions during his decade at the club.
Former players can understand why a no-nonsense, authoritative character like Simeone would be admired, albeit the fact that he is so demanding may explain why the board is chasing Ten Hag and Pochettino instead.
Simeone will have to wait if he ever gets the job at United, but he has recognized what needs to happen at Old Trafford in his pre-match press conference this week.
"There were differences between United and City," the Argentine told reporters. "They are more direct and faster. City is more situated, and they manage things better in all sectors. We'll have to build on and improve on the good things we did two weeks ago.
"What I like most about clubs like Manchester City is their determination to regain possession of the ball and continue to attack. They're a joy to watch. They keep evolving because they have excellent players, but what gets me up in the morning are Sterling and De Bruyne.They're always on the move and never leave a ball behind. That is what all managers want."
United have always been known for their counter-attacking danger, notably when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, but Simeone makes an excellent point that they don't really offer much else in their current incarnation.
There is still a serious lack of control in games, and United are a shambles in comparison to the best clubs above them, who have all been relentlessly trained into the ideal visions of their perfectionist managers.
The next permanent manager will not only need the freedom to develop the squad in any way they see fit, but they will also need to execute a precise plan to ensure United can stay on top in matches and square up evenly against the teams currently above them.
On Tuesday night, Simeone will have another opportunity to demonstrate why he is deserving of a chance in the Premier League in the future, and while he will not be the next United manager, it is critical that the successful candidate listens to his words of wisdom.
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