You could tell this was little more than a ceremonial match… it took Pep Guardiola a full 55 seconds to stomp into the technical area.
It might have been a misplaced pass or someone not closing down with sufficient urgency but whatever it was, Guardiola was quick to let the culprit know about it.
Lifting his fifth Premier League trophy in seven seasons, Pep has, in a footballing context, taken perfectionism to new levels. It is perfectionism twinned with obsession, which makes his seven-year stint at City all the more remarkable.
Don’t forget, his obsession at Barcelona was so mentally draining, he decided he needed a sabbatical and spent the best part of a year in New York.
It was during that time that Sir Alex Ferguson - taking a short mid-season break - met Guardiola for dinner in a swish Manhattan restaurant. That was December 2012, and Ferguson knew he would be retiring at the end of the season.
According to Ferguson’s recollection, he asked Guardiola not to commit himself to another club without telling him. Guardiola recalls it slightly differently but it is hard to imagine Ferguson did not make overtures on behalf of Manchester United.
Anyway, Guardiola had, privately, already agreed to join Bayern Munich and the only concrete Premier League interest came from City, who maintained a dialogue throughout his time in Germany.
And the rest is a history littered with trophies, accolades, goals and points.
When, during a second campaign when his side scored 106 Premier League goals and amassed 100 points, it became clear Guardiola’s genius had adapted to his latest challenge, there seemed to be only one consolation for United and the rest.
After three years - four years, tops - Pep would need a break.
Unfortunately for United and the rest, as the seventh anniversary of his arrival looms, Guardiola has - when he is not in mid-game mode - never seemed as content as he is now.
Don’t rule out another seven years, and don’t rule out a dynasty that rivals Ferguson’s in terms of honours if not time.
Of course, it must be easy to be content when you are at the wheel of a winning juggernaut but keeping it rolling is still no easy task. And you do not succeed without a ruthless streak.
How about signing a player who has excelled on the international stage for £50million and then waiting until game 36 to give him his first Premier League start in a match that had nothing riding on it?
Yes, Kalvin Phillips is a luxury few other clubs in the world could afford but it is still a brutally harsh call.
But Pep has never been afraid to call out his players, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden amongst others who featured here having received some criticism from the boss.
Somehow, Guardiola keeps the majority of his squad happy - another one of the pillars of his success. Dissenters are given short shrift, ask Joao Cancelo.
Backing Guardiola is a phenomenal set-up but one that is accused by the Premier League of 115 breaches of financial regulations. Let’s wait and see whether or not City can prove their innocence.
Will some of Guardiola’s achievements at the Etihad have an asterisk next to them if City are proven guilty? You bet they will.
But, regardless of the verdict, will a lot of people in this country still say they were privileged to watch Guardiola’s teams play a stunning brand of football? You bet they will.
And, regardless of the verdict, will Guardiola go down as a true managerial great? You bet he will. And there is no doubt his New York dinner companion from all those years ago would ruefully agree.
