Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
It feels like the current international break has been going on for 115 days. As if months have passed since Michael Carrick's Manchester United side were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Fulham in the Premier League. As if, by the time the action returns, the entire landscape would have changed.
There's been plenty to keep fans on their toes during what has really only been a couple of weeks. The Premier League and Manchester City's lawyers deserve plenty of credit for that, as does Cristiano Ronaldo's ego, but it's still not quite the same is it?
It's times like this when it feels absurd not to take a deeper dive into some wild alternative realities. A doomsday, if you will.
When Man Utd beat Man City to Bruno Fernandes
In another reality, Bruno Fernandes has lifted endless Premier League titles, won a Champions League and picked up both FA Cup and Carabao Cup medals as a Man City player. But, in that same reality, he's part of a wild scandal in which all that could be stripped away courtesy of £800m of inflated commercial revenue.
REUTERS/Phil Noble
It may not have always felt like it, but Fernandes and Man United will be incredibly relieved that they do not live in that reality right now. They'll be relieved that, in 2019, Man City failed to agree their move to sign the Portugal international despite closing in on a £47m deal.
Less than a year later, Fernandes was on his way to Old Trafford to complete a January move for the same price. One decision handed the Red Devils one of their most influential players of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
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Bruno Fernandes for Man United
Games
Goals
Assists
220 goal involvements in 334 appearances is simply absurd. Fernandes will have his place in Man United history when all is said and done, but he is not the only player who was in-demand across Manchester.
During Pep Guardiola's reign, one Man United star would have walked into his best Man City team.
Man Utd attacker would have starred for Pep's Man City team
One reality has Fernandes in a City shirt. Another has a world which features an even more absurd move. One which would eclipse Carlos Tevez's decision to cross the pond and play for the Citizens, securing glory in the process.
Again, the Red Devils will be glad not to be living in that reality, but that doesn't stop the mind wondering. What if, after Guardiola claimed that he would "take Marcus Rashford tomorrow", he actually did?
REUTERS/Jon Super
Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs recently revealed a conversation he once had with Guardiola about Man United players, telling Rio Ferdinand Presents: The Debrief: "He went, 'Well, who do you think?' So I went, 'De Gea?' He went, 'No.' 'Luke Shaw?' 'No.'
"He said, 'The best player at Man United, Marcus Rashford. I would take him tomorrow.'
"And I went, 'Oh, right, okay.' And that just made me [think], what's he seeing, Pep? And that was obviously as a centre-forward."
It's an interesting statement, to say the least. But Guardiola would have felt vindicated by his selection when Rashford starred for former club Barcelona last season.
It's easy to see why Rashford caught the Spaniard's eye, too. In terms of profile, the Carrington graduate is exactly what Guardiola recruited throughout his time at the Etihad.
Just like Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Antoine Semenyo, Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane were all direct wingers. Those are the standout wide men from Guardiola's time in Manchester. Rashford would have enjoyed similar success.
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League stats Rashford 25/26 (La Liga) Sane 17/18 (Premier League)
Minutes 1,761 2,422
Goals 8 10
Assists 7 15
Take-ons per 90 1.53 3.16
Chances created per 90 2.35 2.16
The potential that Guardiola dragged out of Sane unleashed a winger capable of 25 goal involvements in the Premier League, alone. Rashford still has that potential to this day, and had a lot more during the early years of his career.