City’s slump is set against the backdrop of Guardiola’s unresolved future. He is in the final year of his contract and it was widely expected within the club during the summer that he would leave in 2025, alongside director of football Txiki Begiristain, whose departure, and the arrival of Hugo Viana as his replacement, was confirmed in October.

Manchester City are facing challenges unlike any they have encountered in the Pep Guardiola era. For the first time since he built his all-conquering team, his title rivals are seeing more than one glimmer of hope.