There was a difference of opinion between Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola just before half-time in the FA Cup final a fortnight ago.
Although Manchester City had been dominant from the first whistle, Manchester United were somehow level in the 31st minute thanks to a composed Bruno Fernandes penalty and the Premier League champions were suddenly rattled.
Emotions were running high on the pitch, just as they were on the touchline. Both managers became increasingly animated and the master, Guardiola, began a war of words with his former apprentice from Bayern Munich, Ten Hag.
Ten Hag waved his hands in discontent during the heated exchange and Guardiola snarled back. Only those on the bench that afternoon in London will know what was said, but between the pair, it seems likely a few expletives were used.
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There was no clear winner from the squabble, but City eventually lifted the FA Cup and Guardiola was the only manager smiling. The feeling of losing at Wembley is the worst in football and it was made worse by defeat in a Manchester derby.
Ten Hag said his players were 'broken' and he promised lessons would be learned. "We are broken, disappointed, of course, but I said I am proud of my team. We did very well, we conceded two soft goals but we were in the game," he told the BBC.
"There was a great spirit and very good organisation. They were tough goals, they were so soft and avoidable. When you play against City and you don't concede almost nothing from open play it is a big credit for the team.
"But if you concede goals like this it's disappointing. This team showed resilience, character and personality. We know we have a way to go but this will make us better. It was a test for us, we didn't succeed but we can take a lot of positives into next season."
United faced City three times in the season and their win at Old Trafford in January would have been happily swapped for FA Cup success. Guardiola's side won two of the Manchester derby meetings and the game that mattered most.
City subsequently won the Champions League to complete the treble. They are undoubtedly the benchmark in football and United need a few world-class additions to have a chance of going toe to toe with them next season.
Ten Hag said defeat in the FA Cup final would make his side 'better' but new signings will have a greater impact. It's understood a world-class striker and midfielder are wanted and with the summer window now open, there are irons in the fire.
The new season begins against Wolves at Old Trafford on August 14 and it's hoped the club's business in the market will be complete sooner rather than later, with adequate time given to new arrivals to settle into Manchester.
The transfer window closes on September 1 and by then, supporters should have a better idea of what to expect, as new players will have been signed and United will have played three games (Wolves, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest).
However, perhaps the best indicator will be the 10-game mark in October - which actually comes against City at Old Trafford - because there will be enough evidence on the pitch to suggest whether a decent campaign awaits or not.
The first Manchester derby of the season will be played on October 28, which ironically will be close to a year since the 6-3 defeat at the Etihad. United were woeful that day and history cannot repeat itself shortly after the anniversary of that loss.
Ten Hag's prediction that his side would become better after the FA Cup final defeat will be tested in the first Manchester derby of the 2023/24 campaign and it's obvious new faces are required in order to close the gap.
City are the acid test in the Premier League and if a win can be secured, it will show no opponents should be feared. The game will also show whether more progress has been made and it could set the tone for the winter schedule.
More fireworks on the touchline between Ten Hag and Guardiola should probably be expected.
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