Manchester City met Sir Alex Ferguson for dinner in New York prior to his time as Bayern Munich manager and would certainly love to see him at United.
You could say it wasn't just a ceremonial game… It took Pep Guardiola 55 seconds to enter the technical area.
Maybe it was a misplaced pass or someone didn't get close in time, but either way, Guardiola was quick to notify the culprit.
With the lifting of his fifth Premier League trophy in seven seasons, Pep has, in the football scene, taken perfectionism to the next level. It was perfectionism combined with obsession that made his seven-year stay at City all the more remarkable.
Remember, his obsession with Barcelona was so mentally draining that he decided he needed a sabbatical and spent most of the year in New York. Around this time, Sir Alex Ferguson - on a short mid-season break - met Guardiola for dinner at a posh restaurant in Manhattan. It was December 2012 and Ferguson knew he would retire at the end of the season.
According to Ferguson's recollections, he asked Guardiola not to commit to another club without telling him. Guardiola recalls it being a bit different but it's hard to imagine that Ferguson didn't make an offer on behalf of Manchester United.
Either way, Guardiola has agreed to join Bayern Munich privately and the only concrete interest in the Premier League comes from Man City, who have maintained a dialogue during his time in Germany. And the rest is history brimming with trophies, awards, goals and scores.
When, in the second season in which his side scored 106 Premier League goals and accumulated 100, it became clear that Guardiola's genius had adapted to his latest challenge, it seemed that only one the only consolation for United and other clubs.
Pep Guardiola is his typical fierce self even though titles are tied together
Pep Guardiola is his typical fierce self even though titles are tied together
After 3 years - up to 4 years - Pep will need a break.
Unfortunately for United and others, as it celebrates seven years since his arrival, Guardiola - when not in mid-game mode - has never looked as pleased as he does now.
Seven more years cannot be ruled out, and the possibility that a dynasty can rival Ferguson in honor if not time is not ruled out. Sure, you'll be easily satisfied when you're behind the wheel of a giant warrior, but getting it to roll is still no small feat. And you don't succeed without a ruthless streak.
How about signing a great international player for £50m and then waiting for the 36th game to give him his first Premier League start in a match? What does that have to do with that?
Yes, Kalvin Phillips is a luxury few other clubs in the world can afford, but it's still a mercilessly tough call.
But Pep was never afraid to call out his players, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden among others, who were here after receiving criticism from the boss. One way or another, Guardiola keeps the majority of his team happy - one of the pillars of his success. Joao Cancelo asked the dissidents to be left out.
Supporting Guardiola is an extraordinary institution but has been charged by the Premier League with 115 financial breaches. Let's wait and see if Man City can prove their innocence or not.
Will some of Guardiola's achievements at the Etihad be affected?
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