Some sections of the press have already started talk about United in decline, as they do every time it looks as though we won’t win the league, but Patrice Evra insists that even if City do win the title, United will be back next year.

“I know that if we don’t win the league then a lot of people will say this is the end of the empire and ask how we will survive,” said Evra. “But there is a lot of talent at this club. We’ve had to deal with a lot through injuries and losing experienced players last summer and it’s never easy to find a solution immediately.”