Erik ten Hag will find it hard to avoid the narrative of 'revenge' when his rejuvenated Manchester United side welcome City to Old Trafford.
After a decade of Blue dominance in Manchester, it is United who head into the derby as the 'noisy neighbours,' the underdogs who are on the rise and full of confidence ahead of their biggest test in months.
But instead of indulging in a battle between the two clubs, Ten Hag might well use the match as an opportunity to focus on his own team and show how far they have come since they were humiliated at the Etihad back in October.
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United found themselves four goals down by half-time, and the final 6-3 scoreline flattered them as City took their foot off the gas and Anthony Martial struck twice late on to bring a bit more dignity to the display.
Ten Hag will demand a different standard of performance on Saturday, and that will stem from the side he picks for the match, one that could be noticeably different from the last derby encounter.
It almost seems inconceivable now, but the last time United met City, there were a number of key absences from the side, and not because of injury.
United's team selection made headlines for Ten Hag's refusal to introduce Cristiano Ronaldo from the bench 'out of respect' for the legendary forward, though with the benefit of hindsight, there were even more controversial decisions made that day.
Luke Shaw had lost his place to Tyrell Malacia at left-back, Scott McTominay was chosen ahead of Casemiro in midfield, and Jadon Sancho started on the left wing with Marcus Rashford repurposed as a central striker.
The decisions didn't feel controversial at the time, and McTominay in particular had raised his game following the arrival of Casemiro from Real Madrid, but the difference in class eventually shone through over the following weeks.
The Brazil international has become undroppable for United since that humiliating defeat, and his impact has been clear to see on the pitch.
Sancho will clearly be unavailable and it would be a surprise if Malacia or McTominay kept their place for the return fixture this weekend, a sign of just how much has changed in a short space of time this season. United have lost just once in eighteen matches since then and have conceded only one goal when Casemiro and Raphael Varane have been on the pitch at the same time.
Just as important has been the stability shown by Shaw in recent weeks. At the start of the campaign, he was pretty even with Malacia in the battle for the left-back spot, but since then, the England international has neared his peak after raising his game to beat his competition.
United have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches and will be feeling confident about their defensive abilities even against the most feared attacking side in the Premier League.
At the other end, they still don't score enough, though there is a better balance to the attack than there was at the start of the season. Rashford is in irresistible form playing on the left, and Antony has scored in his last two matches after starting on the right.
United still lack the ability to blow teams away in the same vein as City do, though if they are not conceding at the other end, then it isn't such a worry.
It might not be a time for revenge, but it is a time for United to take the next step in their revival.
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