Roberto Mancini believes Robin van Persie's move to Manchester United makes Sir Alex Ferguson's team firm favourites to lift the title this season.
Manchester City were interested in taking Van Persie to the Etihad Stadium but, for the first time since Dimitar Berbatov preferred the red half of Manchester in 2008, they have missed out on a player to their rivals.
However, Mancini has said a deal to take Van Persie to City would not have been possible, given that his quartet of forwards - Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez - all remain at the club.
And the mind games are back people!