It was the year 2000. Manchester City were playing Manchester United for the first time since 1996. They had returned to the Premier League after a period when they were perceived to have hit rock bottom, relegated not just from the Premier League, but down into the third tier of English football. They had been relegated from the Premier League in 1996 amid farcical scenes on the final day when a message was delivered that they were safe. This was soon followed by a reverse ferret. City were not safe and one of their players, Niall Quinn, tried to deliver…