Manchester United fans have been getting a bit giddy at the prospect of reviving their title challenge.
And it’s spreading to their players.
Manchester City are ‘wobbling’ - just a little - after their narrow defeat at Anfield on Sunday, so the theory goes.
And the overconfident members of the Reds’ support are allowing themselves to dream - just a little - about giving City a run for their money.
The Blues’ lead at the top of the table has been chipped away to ‘just’ 12 points.
United could reduce that to nine - at least temporarily - if they beat Burnley on Saturday, by virtue of kicking off earlier than Pep Guardiola’s men.
City’s first loss of season - even though it was one in which they scored three goals and dominated possession - is sparking a glimmer of hope.
And United’s likely capture of Alexis Sanchez is only adding to it.
Juan Mata is the latest Red to voice the kind of view that was somewhat quieter when United were drawing three successive games over Christmas.
“City are doing things really well,” he told Radio Marca. “We are second and we managed to cut three points after winning at the weekend and City losing against Liverpool. We are 12 points away and they have a big advantage, but we don’t give up and we intend to win all of our remaining games and see where we are at in May.
“If there’s something that the Premier League has, it’s that in recent years, it has been kind of crazy, things happening that you wouldn’t see in any other leagues. We hope that is the case and we can have a chance.”
He followed hot on the heels of Phil Jones, who reasoned: “Football is football, never say never,” said the England defender. “I remember in my first season we were eight points clear, absolutely cruising, no way we’d let the lead slip and we lost it on the final day.
“People can say what they want, but we’ll continue to be positive and push forward.
“You never know. It happened in 2012 to us so why not?
“We’re doing well, we need to keep going. It was a big, big game for us on Monday with points to be played for and teams dropping points around us.
“It’s another big game on Saturday against Burnley.”
Guardiola has always maintained he never expected his team to go through a season of chasing success on four fronts unbeaten.
But if City’s stance on Sanchez shows one thing, it is the Catalan’s confidence in his squad.
While United appear ready to throw whatever cash is necessary at the Chilean and his current employers, City stuck to their guns - and their principles - and refused to be held to ransom.
There is no denying Guardiola wanted the talented, hard-working forward - and he will, no doubt, make United stronger if the deal goes through.
But he also knows his men already have what it takes to handle the job they have started so impressively.
That is a telling message to send to his players.
