Arsene Wenger may be fuming at Nani's dismissal of Arsenal's title chances - but the Gunners chief can take comfort from knowing the man who really matters at Manchester United is not adopting the same attitude.
Nani's claim that only United or Chelsea can end the season as champions has not gone down well in north London, with Wenger sarcastically labelling the winger "1600 times more intelligent than me".
Unlike his winger, Sir Alex Ferguson can boast experience of sending a team out into battle.
And the United boss puts Arsenal in an elite group he does feel are capable of lifting the ultimate prize.
"I don't think there will be anyone outside ourselves, Chelsea or Arsenal," he said. "Those three will certainly be there.
"I know Harry (Redknapp) is talking up his chances at Tottenham but they are involved in the Champions League, which is a new thing for them.
"If they get through the next stage it is not easy to manage European competition at that level and doing your league programme, plus FA Cup ties. Usually experience gets you through.
"Manchester City have got a chance of course. But they will also have the Europa League that will make it difficult.
"Maybe they, and Harry too, could buy in January because it is very difficult to manage both."
Ahead of the Boxing Day encounter with Sunderland, Ferguson confirmed he expected this to be Edwin van der Sar's last season.
The 40-year-old has not publicly said as much but the indications have been apparent for some time that, whilst the veteran Dutchman is still performing at the highest level, he is fearful of a sudden dip in form.
Anders Lindegaard has already been purchased from Aalesunds, although the Denmark international will not be eligible until the FA Cup tie with Liverpool on January 9, whilst another recruit is expected before the start of next season.
"I did expect this to be Edwin's final season," said Ferguson.
"To still be playing at this level at 40 is amazing.
"You can only do it if you have the structure and the mind to be able to programme himself and train the way he does. It is phenomenal."
It is an enduring regret of Ferguson's that he did not sign Van der Sar as Peter Schmeichel's replacement in 1999 as he intended.
But the lesson has been learned and United will not be leaving themselves similarly exposed.
"I am very lucky to have had both Van der Sar and Schmeichel," said Ferguson.
"But we have learnt from when we tried to replace Peter.
"I should have signed Van der Sar after Schmeichel but I made a mistake. Now we know where we are going."
Van der Sar will take his customary place in goal against the Black Cats, who have taken points off all the title contenders this term.
Ferguson claimed the goalless draw at the Stadium of Light in October was his side's hardest away game of the season, which is some statement considering he felt United should have been eight down at Aston Villa before coming back to collect a draw.
The Red Devils chief labelled Sunderland's three-goal triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month as "a perfect performance", emphasising his own players will have to be on their guard at Old Trafford.
Certainly they can ill-afford another penalty miss by Wayne Rooney, whose failure against Arsenal a fortnight ago attracted attention for the striker's bizarre zig-zag run-up.
"Carlos Tevez used to do it," recalled Ferguson.
"Wayne didn't do it in training but he did it at Ibrox and it worked. In fact he tried to hit exactly the same spot.
"The one against Arsenal was an unusual penalty for him to take.
"I don't think he has ever hit one over the bar. It was a bad miss from his point of view but fortunately we got through the game."
