For my money James Milner has been the pick of the bunch over the past month. His pace, ferocity and distribution skills bring a unique dimension to the team – which is quite a remarkable statement when you think about it. In my ultimate starting XI he’d be one of the two defensive midfielders alongside De Jong with Yaya ahead of them. In that role Milner can sit tight when required and show off his vertical passing skills all day long, and also add a lethal attacking threat when least expected. That’s something that Barry no longer seems to have in his repertoire although I remember him as a swaggering left side midfielder years ago at Villa.

Still, the role you have picked out for Milner is similar to where he played against United and he was extremely effective then both in defense – working in tandem with Micah – and attack, popping up on both flanks in support of, and as a release to, Silva.

I’m just delighted to see the lad doing so well. And there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that as with Yaya, Silva, Balotelli, Kompany, Micah and Barry, that it’s Mancini who is bringing the very very best out of him. This is a team with Italian steel at its core. It’s time to turn it on Europe.