Meetings with Liverpool this month have been a sobering experience for both Manchester clubs. And not just because of damaging results on the field.
In the stands, City and United have been let down by the actions of some of their supporters in stooping to a lowest common denominator - using the Hillsborough disaster to bait Reds fans.
At Wembley on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final, a group of City followers chanted throughout the minute's silence in memory of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy. The Liverpool end - and, it must be said, many City supporters - were outraged, with referee Michael Oliver being forced to cut short the period of remembrance.
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The previous Sunday, City launched an investigation after footage circulated on social media appearing to show two home fans mocking the Hillsborough disaster. And they were swift to issue a statement after the FA Cup incident.
Many, however, noted the apology did not appear on any official club channels, with even Guardiola's post-match condemnation also conspicuous by its absence.
With the subject under the spotlight, all eyes - and ears - were on United supporters as they journeyed to Anfield on Tuesday evening for their Premier League clash. Matters started cordially enough, with fans on both sides joining in a seventh-minute applause in support of Cristiano Ronaldo following the tragic death of his new-born son, the Kop then breaking into an emotive rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
All the more disappointing, then, was what came next. As they watched their players stumble towards a 4-0 thumping in the second half, a sizeable section of the away end began a series of unwise chants aimed only at taunting Liverpool supporters and baiting them into a response that, mercifully, wasn't forthcoming.
United, for their part, soon acknowledged the support from Reds fans for Ronaldo. And on Wednesday evening, they issued a statement not only stating the chants were unacceptable, but also their intention to educate fans on the issue.
It is a major step in the right direction over a matter that has festered for years. For too long, bad blood between Liverpool and United fans regarding the tragedies of Munich, Heysel and Hillsborough had descended into using the loss of human life in an attempt to score points over rivals. That appeared to have largely dissipated in recent seasons until the latest airings.
Credit to United for tackling an obviously sensitive issue. Clubs are, for good reason, often mindful of criticising their own - it's always a difficult call to bite the hand that feeds you - that doesn't mean it cannot be done.
Indeed, Liverpool made a point at the start of the season of addressing homophobic chants aimed at Norwich City's on-loan Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, Jurgen Klopp meeting with Kop Outs founder Paul Amann to criticise the abuse and promote inclusivity.
It was the right thing to do. And with United having done likewise, it is now up to City to follow suit. Because if they don't even attempt to address the issue among their own fanbases, then they shouldn't be surprised if, in future, the finger points away from the stands and instead towards their corridors of power.
