It's becoming increasingly clear that in a Premier League title race between their two greatest rivals, Manchester United are backing their cross-city foes for the top spot.
Adding insult to the injury that is an increasingly dreary season briefly interrupted by the dead-cat bounce that was the post-Mourinho spike, United's supporters have had to watch their two biggest adversaries fight out a tense title race.
For many, it seems a Manchester City success is the lesser of two evils. That is certainly the case for former Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who told CNN he favours Pep Guardiola's outfit:
I hope Liverpool never win a title while I'm still breathing.
We have two teams in the form that they're both in. It'll come down to the wire. If no one has a slip up, then City wins.
When it comes to his former club's fortunes, the American shot-stopper backed Ole Gunnar Solskjær for the job: "Hopefully, they will spend some money and they'll get his players in and it's no problem.
"It's funny, right? Football: He comes in and wins every game for three months and he's the second coming of Jesus Christ and everyone loves him and then they tear him down and are ready to throw him off the ledge."
It's a sentiment that certainly seems to be shared by United fans. After Sergio Aguero scored City's crucial goal against Burnley last weekend, there were reports of cheers in Old Trafford.
A cheer at Old Trafford as Manchester City take the lead.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) April 28, 2019
Similarly, when Paul Scholes was asked did he find it difficult to back a side he was unequivocal: "No it’s not, I want City to win."
Even the players have noticed it. Manchester City defender Kyle Walker recently explained he has received the same message from supporters:
United fans are in a difficult situation obviously. When I’m out and about or walking my dogs, United fans are coming up to me saying, ‘We’d rather City win the league than Liverpool.'
Either way, it's a grim scenario for the Old Trafford faithful. Liverpool win the league, or Man City take another step towards the domestic treble.
