One year on, Frank Lampard has done little to change that first impression. Chelsea remain alarmingly open to counter-attacks, their players spread maddeningly across the pitch when in possession; the hand spread wide. By contrast, Man Utd have improved markedly since the beginning of the season, and now on a 19-game unbeaten run it is safe to say Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has proved his doubters wrong. United are heading in the right direction for the first time in seven years. A repeat of the 4-0 win in this Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final is not out of the question.

Solskjaer has shown a knack for tactical superiority in these ‘Big Six’ matches, invariably instructing his players to sit deep, absorb pressure, and burst forward on the counter-attack, making use of their watertight back four and explosive pace up front. It’s a system perfectly suited to exploiting Chelsea’s inability to screen their own possession, and any team unable to cope with transitions is in for a rough ride against this particular incarnation of Manchester United.