For Manchester City, this was a somewhat surreal end to a frustrating season. They headed to Swansea knowing a draw would be enough to secure fourth place: not what they had hoped for back in August, far from it, but an absolute must in May. It was not pretty - as has often been the case this season - but they got what they needed.

Somehow, one of the most unusual and intriguing Premier League campaigns boiled down to the race for fourth place. If you can call it a race. As Leicester City put together their title challenge and Chelsea got themselves into and then out of a relegation battle, the underachieving Manchester clubs contrived to put the ball in each others' court for 37 rounds of fixtures. Following United's defeat at West Ham in midweek, the Blues, despite their 10 defeats this season, were always favourites to get the job done.

United, of course, did not get the opportunity to play their final match on Sunday. An apparent plot to cause an explosion at a packed Old Trafford meant their clash with Bournemouth was abandoned. The security implications are myriad, and best analysed when the full details of the afternoon are released to the public.

 

Whenever their match is re-arranged, however, they will play it knowing there is no chance of Champions League football next season.

Manuel Pellegrini, in his last game as City manager, oversaw the kind of performance that has coloured his final season in charge. His side took an early lead, looked overly casual, conceded an equaliser and could not muster a recovery. Swansea, having rested a host of first teamers, could not find a winner themselves. It was not exactly a case of 'good enough' for City, but at least it was 'job done'.

If this match were being used as any kind of barometer for City's chances going forward it would be concerning, but they will be almost unrecognisable by the time the 2016-17 season gets under way.

Pep Guardiola will be firmly in place, six weeks into a three-year plan to put City at the forefront of European football. 

Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov, Willy Caballero and Martin Demichelis, of the matchday squad, are almost certain to accompany Pellegrini through the exit door, while the injured Pablo Zabaleta will join them. There are also doubts over Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri, among others.

With four or five big names intended to come in and shake up the defence and midfield, this season's first teamers will be relegated to back-ups. There will be an injection of youth, too.

Guardiola and his chosen men will be charged with replacing the often tired and predictable football on show at the Liberty Stadium with fast-paced and exciting performances. He is not guaranteed to win titles but you would expect him to improve upon City's two most recent seasons.

This, then, felt like the end of an era for City. In truth, it is one that has fizzled out. From title challengers on February 1 to clinging to fourth place come the final reckoning, it has not been good enough. 

But Guardiola's arrival provides hope, and thanks to Sunday's point he will be able to plan for another season of Champions League football, and all the financial benefits that come with it.

This was a troubled campaign for Manchester City, but they can look forward to an exciting future.