Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have both been shortlisted for the Premier League Manager of the Month award for September.
Manchester City and Manchester United sit level on points at the top of the table, with 19 points being recorded and just two goals conceded in seven games.
The two teams also came through September without losing a match - although United did drop points in a 2-2 draw with Stoke City - and the two North-West outfits sit clear of Tottenham Hotspur in the standings.
That has not stopped head coach Mauricio Pochettino from being selected among the nominees, with Spurs also progressing through the second month of the campaign without suffering defeat.
The same can be said of their North London rivals Arsenal, and that has led to Arsene Wenger being recognised for guiding the Gunners to three successive wins.