Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is becoming the ultimate Hokey Cokey manager.
He’s in, he’s out, but at least he shook it all about here.
Manchester City are so accustomed to facing Damage Limitation Elevens, they did not quite know what to do when faced by a side with a modicum of attacking ambition.
It was a gamble from Solskjaer, one that paid off and one that could put an end to the uncertainty that has been his partner pretty much since he took over as permanent manager.
A derby win does not carry a job security guarantee but finishing in the top four does.
And United should not blow it from here.
Never mind bragging rights - that is the most meaningful ramification of this surprise victory.
United’s adventurous approach did not last long after Bruno Fernandes had tucked away the penalty but the brief flurry had been enough.
Ditto for the second half when Luke Shaw’s long-running excellence was rewarded, a moment that actually inspired United to go toe-to-toe.
It would be a stretch to call it a masterplan but Solskjaer’s system worked.
That City were a little methodical and plodding, by their standards, helped - as did Gabriel Jesus’s less than divine intervention - but this was an accomplished United performance.
And a long unbeaten run away from home does not happen by accident.
When home teams have an onus to come on to United, they know how to deal with it.
And in Harry Maguire, they have a leader and central defender to perfectly marshall their resistance.
Not only was Maguire his usual uncompromising self - and his booking was a trademark, old-fashioned reducer - but his timing was immaculate.
On the deck, in the air, so many City threats were intercepted by the United skipper.
And to think there those who thought Maguire would be scarred by events on a Greek island last summer.
He has played every minute of United’s 28 Premier League games this season.
The run of Premier League matches in which United have been unbeaten when leading at half-time now stretches to 103.
Maguire has only strengthened their resolve over the past couple of seasons.
It has been unsurprising to discover Maguire has been amongst the most vocal of Premier League players.
Quite simply, Solskjaer knows he has a leader on the field.
And one who has now surely helped Solskjaer to rest easy in his role for once.
