Manchester City announcing Pep Guardiola as their new manager on deadline day, at the end of a January transfer window in which Manchester United were more concerned with the future of Louis van Gaal, who may or may not have offered to resign, than signing new recruits, felt almost like poetic destiny.
Indeed, the Red Devils are five points off a Champions League spot, short on firepower up top, pace out wide and depth in defence, but were one of just two Premier League clubs, along with relegation-bound Aston Villa, who failed to sign a single player in January.
At least, however, they managed to get Victor Valdes off the wage bill.