While it's not quite swords at dawn territory just yet, it seems as though rivalries have been well and truly renewed between Pep Guardiola and his old friend José Mourinho.
The divide between the blue and red sides of Manchester has rarely been as ferocious as it is this season. Not only is the rivalry between the two title contenders red hot, there is also the small matter of the historic conflict between the two bosses to contend with. And, as we saw last weekend at Old Trafford, first blood has gone to the Spaniard.
Apparently Guardiola isn't content with just coming away from Old Trafford with a 2-1 victory though and has landed another dig on his rival after commenting today that it was Bournemouth - not Manchester United - who have provided the toughest test for his side so far this season.
City walloped Bournemouth 4-0 today, in case you didn't hear.
The former Bayern and Barcelona boss said after the match:
Bournemouth are the best side we have faced this season. [Everyone else] just used the long ball.
Our high pressing was not perfect today, we had problems with controlling the Bournemouth build-up, but we created a lot of counter attacks.
So a 4-0 win at home to Bournemouth was more difficult than clinching a narrow victory away to their biggest rivals? OK Pep, whatever you say.
No matter which way you look at it, these comments won't have gone unnoticed in José Mourinho's office and you can be sure that this won't be the last time that their now infamous Madrid/Barca rivalry spills over into the English game. And it's going to be fascinating to watch.
[Mirror]
