First derby test for the new regime
Four wins from four, a clean sheet in Europe, and a striker in the kind of form that makes opposition defenders check their travel plans. Life under Enzo Maresca has started about as well as anyone could have hoped.
Sunday changes the conversation. The short trip across town to Old Trafford brings the first Manchester derby of the season, and the first of Maresca's managerial career. He has already admitted it will probably be his biggest test since taking charge.
That is not false modesty. United may be scrapping for results, but derbies have a habit of ignoring the form book.
Contrasting starts
City's start has been faultless. Three league wins against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry were followed by Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League victory in Porto, where Erling Haaland scored both goals. Afterwards Maresca spoke of seeing his team improve game by game.
United's campaign has been rather more uneven. Michael Carrick's side began with a 2-0 defeat at Hull, responded with a 5-2 home win over Ipswich, then surrendered the lead twice in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Everton. Four points from three matches tells its own story.
The last meeting at Old Trafford, back in January, offers a warning. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored in a 2-0 United victory that ended City's 13-match unbeaten run. Memories of that afternoon will not have faded.
Derby day details
Kick-off is 4.30pm on Sunday. Maresca will experience the derby from the dugout for the first time, and he does so with a squad that looks settled and a striker who currently cannot stop scoring.
The test is real. So is the opportunity.