If Manchester City miss out on next season's Champions League it is a huge failure, but it is not a disaster because the future of the club is not at stake.
If Manchester United win their last two games and beat their local rivals to fourth place, then City are not going into freefall or financial meltdown in the way Leeds United did when they failed to qualify in 2002.
In terms of the outlay they have made, City should be finishing in the top four - no question - and, in the short-term, not doing so would be a massive disappointment.
It delays their ambition to establish themselves as a major European power because they want to win the Champions League, not just get in it.
But the biggest plus is that it would not affect the club's stability and I don't think it would affect their ability to attract top players this summer either.
What next for City? Top players will still want to play for Pep

Pep Guardiola takes over as City boss in the summer
City's fans do not want to watch their side play the lesser teams from different corners of Europe on Thursday nights - they want to see them against the best.
They will not get that if they finish fifth in the Premier League.
But, overall, I would suggest to City fans that the future is still bright and still rosy, even if they have to settle for the Europa League next season.
The club will still move forward because the top players will still want to join them.
That was always going be more down to having Pep Guardiola as their new manager next season rather than being in the Champions League itself.
Every player Guardiola will sign will think City will only be out of the Champions League for one season only, and I would be amazed if it were for longer.
Man Utd have been given the boost they need

Louis van Gaal's future as Manchester United manager is in doubt but they are now in pole position to finish in fourth place
City have still got a chance of making the top four of course - the season is not over yet.
But I think United will win both their remaining games - at West Ham on Tuesday and then at home to Bournemouth on the final day - which would guarantee they finish above City.
Playing the Hammers in their final game at Upton Park is still a tough one but knowing that a top-four finish is now in their hands will be a massive boost for United's players and their fans.
It is going to be a brilliant game, and I am really looking forward to it.

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