A year on from a chaotic evening at Old Trafford that saw his former club Chelsea reduced to ten men inside five minutes, Enzo Maresca returned to the same ground with far greater composure - this time as Manchester City's head coach guiding his side to a hard-fought win over Manchester United.
The Italian recalled that previous defeat after Sunday's fixture, contrasting the panic of that night with his measured approach this time around. Rather than rushing into wholesale changes, Maresca waited to assess the flow of the game before making his move, shifting Rayan Cherki out to the right before replacing him with Iliman Ndiaye at half-time - a tweak that proved decisive as City secured victory thanks to a winner from Erling Haaland.
Asked about Haaland's continued influence on the team, Maresca could not hide his satisfaction. "How do you say in English? Happy wife, happy life. For us, happy Erling, happy life," he said, breaking into a smile as he reflected on the Norwegian's impact this season.
That lightness in front of the cameras marks a clear departure from the demeanour of his predecessor, Pep Guardiola, who often appeared burdened by the demands of the role during his final months in charge. When asked in May what advice he would offer his successor, Guardiola simply said: "Be themselves." Five months on, Maresca appears to be doing exactly that, carving out his own identity while City continue to build momentum.
Where Guardiola was known for his animated touchline presence - gesturing, shouting, and rarely staying still - Maresca has cut a calmer figure, typically standing with his arms folded as he watches matches unfold. Behind the scenes, he has also brought a different atmosphere to training, introducing loud music that he described as having a "boom, boom, boom" quality, aimed at keeping the squad relaxed and performing at their best.
Despite the shift in style, there is a sense of continuity running through the club's approach. New City captain Ruben Dias, speaking in a recent interview with BBC Sport, explained that while Maresca has introduced his own philosophy, much of the tactical foundation remains rooted in principles established under Guardiola. "There's obviously many things from training sessions to some details about the way we press, details about the way we defend that make all of these Enzo's idea," Dias said. "It's still a change, of course. Many things have changed, but in some ways continuity in terms of the way we are playing, and there are details that make it different. But still, all very similar to the way we have always behaved at the club."
Inevitably, comparisons have been drawn with David Moyes' difficult spell succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 - a reign that lasted just ten months before ending in dismissal. Maresca himself referenced the challenges faced by clubs after the departure of long-serving managers, citing both Ferguson and Arsene Wenger during his opening press conference at City. He also acknowledged that comparisons to Guardiola would be a constant theme throughout his tenure, but insisted such scrutiny does not weigh on him.
After an underwhelming start to the campaign - a 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in the Community Shield - City have responded with five consecutive victories, including a Champions League win away at Porto. The winning run continues this week, with the Carabao Cup holders facing Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, before returning to Premier League action against Sunderland three days later. Should City claim both fixtures, Maresca will have overseen a near-flawless opening sequence in one of the most demanding jobs in football.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.