An obsessive and ruthless perfectionist ...Pep could go on to surpass even the great Sir Alex

YOU could tell this was little more than a ceremonial match... it took Pep Guardiola a full 55 seconds to stomp into the technical area.

- ANDY DUNN

It might have been a misplaced pass or someone not closing down with sufficient urgency but whatever it was, Guardiola was quick to let the culprit know about it.

Lifting his fifth Premier League trophy in seven seasons, Pep has, in a footballing context, taken perfectionism to new levels.

It is perfectionism twinned with obsession, which makes his sevenyear stint at City all the more remarkable. Don't forget, his obsession at Barcelona was so mentally draining, he decided he needed a sabbatical and spent the best part of a year in New York.

It was during that time that Sir Alex Ferguson taking a short mid-season break - met Guardiola for dinner in a swish Manhattan restaurant.

That was December, 2012, and Ferguson knew he would be retiring at the end of the season.

According to Ferguson's recollection, he asked Guardiola not to commit himself to another club without telling him.

Guardiola recalls it slightly differently but it is hard to imagine Ferguson did not make overtures on behalf of Manchester United.