And so we come to the big one.
Sunday's late afternoon derby clash with unbeaten league leaders City could well define the rest of the season, at least as far as the Premiership is concerned.
With an eight-point deficit to make up and the busy Christmas and New Year almost upon us, United have to bite into that lead with victory in what could turn out to be a real blockbuster at Old Trafford.
Some have described this encounter as Beauty v The Beast, with Guardiola's men playing the former role with their "Barcelona-style" one-touch football orchestrated by Kevin de Bruyne already a leading candidate for Footballer of the Year.
With their frightening front four of Sane, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and of course Aguero reeking havoc amongst the top flight defenses, Pep will not change his game plan and will throw the gauntlet down to Jose Mourinho to come up with another master strategy in how to stop his free-flowing opponents.
It was a bitter blow to lose Paul Pogba after last Sunday's dismissal at Arsenal and there is a worry too about the fitness of Nemanja Matic a player absolutely essential to the midfield battleground.
City might be without David Silva which will balance things up a little but the Reds boss whilst hopefully not be parking the bus on his own patch will surely rely on the rapier thrust of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, and Lukaku to unsettle a City backline already without some of their regulars.
Will David de Gea be called upon to perform heroics similar to those that earned him such acclaim at the Emirates and can our speed merchants repeat their own devastating form from the last two Premiership games?
Come tea time Sunday we should have all the answers in this potential title decider as we attempt to reign in the runaway leaders.
