Pep Guardiola stated the obvious at the King Power Stadium despite seeing Manchester City get a long-awaited victory to round off 2024.

“We accept there’s already no chance of [winning the Premier League] but we have other things to fight for: FA Cup, top four… and winning games helps.”

City sit sixth going into the New Year, 14 points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand and look ominous. Having made history with four titles in a row this year, a nose-dive in form to conclude 2024 has ended any chances of a record-extending fifth title, and they are also in danger of exiting the Champions League before the knockout stages.

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January will be a huge month, not just for turning around form domestically but for securing a place in the Champions League play-offs to earn a last-16 place. They must also prioritise getting a top four finish for next season which has been complicated by good form from Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Newcastle.

But this season is still completely salvageable. City don't need a title to end the campaign in historic fashion.

As Guardiola says, he can potentially put more focus into the FA Cup this season, especially if the main aim now is just a top four finish (and top five may even be enough for the Champions League this year).

More pressing, getting the required points for a Champions League play-off place in fixtures at PSG and against Brugge is a January priority. When previously Guardiola had to navigate key European games around a title race, Europe could be given a stronger showing with rotation around those games rather than must-win title race deciders.

It feels a huge task from the current moment to win the Champions League from here, but not being in a title race could be a first step to helping the most unlikely of European challenges.

And then there is the Club World Cup. City could fall short in the Premier League and Champions League but end the season as back-to-back World Champions. It is a closed-off tournament, with a group that should be easily navigated. And a low-key season before it might play into their hands compared to rivals like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich who are favourites for their domestic titles and Champions League success.

The most important way to 'save' the season, however, is to add more bodies. A solution to the reliance on Rodri is needed, preferably in January, while there are question marks over centre-back, full-back and forward positions. Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are out of contract in the summer while Kyle Walker will need replacing and other key men are north of 30.

Starting the rebuild in January could be as important as any trophy.