Do not adjust your set, drama starts right here

If you’re emotionally involved, it’s squeaky bum time between now and Monday night in England but for the rest of us, the tickle-your-fancy factor doesn’t get much better than what’s on offer over the next 72 hours — a brace of marquee name FA Cup semi-finals which double as tasty city derbies, along with another two helpings of the most entertaining Mancunian soap since the glory days on Corrie when the blessed Betty Turpin was serving up her famous hotpot at the Rovers’ Return.

First up, the neutrals — and, of course, the Blue Mooners — have to be grateful for the most uncharacteristic sight of Alex Ferguson putting a foot wrong in a title run-in. Sir is still lamely defending his decision to keep Paul Scholes on the bench at Wigan, but the relative ease with which the relegation-battlers outwitted the title-chasers meant that that flimsy case was demolished well before the final whistle blew at the DW.

And while United bungled without their most composed player, City bloomed without their most disruptive influence. With Mario Balotelli consigned to a corporate box, the noisy neighbours rediscovered their mojo against West Brom, Sergio Aguero back on the goal trail on the double and out-of-sorts David Silva showing his true class again with an exquisite finish.