It's a surreal thought for Central Coast Mariners fans - their lowly team's affairs discussed within Manchester United's corridors of power, at a time when the English Premier League giants are finding their groove again.

Then again, it's been a surreal season. It started with the Usain Bolt circus and it's set to finish with the deposed former coach of the Matildas serving as caretaker in his first role in men's professional football.

Different gravy: Manchester United's interim assistant coach Mike Phelan is also juggling his job as sporting director of the Central Coast Mariners. Credit:PA

Mike Phelan, their sporting director, has been there every step of the way - although not actually in the flesh. Phelan has been working remotely from England, and for the last three months has juggled his Mariners duties with a job as interim United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's right-hand man.

Most of Phelan's days are spent plotting the revival of one of the world's biggest clubs. In the early morning and late in the evening, his focus switches to the smallest professional club in Australia, which has proven to possess an uncanny knack for redefining the definition of 'rock bottom'.