Latest chapter of Jose Mourinho v Rafael Benitez rivalry and other Man United talking points

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  • Rafael Benitez (l) and Jose Mourinho (r).

    Manchester United’s Premier League campaign continues on Sunday (18:15 UAE) with the trip to Newcastle United.

    An enduring storyline between the opposing managers is at play, despite the current disparity in position between their sides. The fixture should also be illustrative of left-back Luke Shaw’s standing at the club, plus a sombre tone will be provided by the death this week of ex-Red Devils midfielder Liam Miller.

    Here, we examine the major talking points:

    LATEST ROUND OF BENITEZ V MOURINHO

    There is certainly no love lost between both clubs – and their respective managers.

    Newcastle v Man United was one of the defining fixtures of the 1990s, Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary mastery of mind games famously producing opposite number Kevin Keegan’s famous “I will love it” rant during the epic 1995/96 title implosion by the Magpies.

    The stakes are nowhere near as high on the pitch this time; Newcastle are one place outside the relegation zone and their opponents seem set for a relatively easy cruise into second place behind runaway leaders Manchester City. But the rancour in the dugout survives.

    Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho endured bitter battles in the previous decade when Liverpool and Chelsea repeatedly clashed. An innocent joke by Mrs Benitez in 2015 about her husband yet again tidying up “his messes”, this time at Real Madrid, then led to callous jibes about the Spaniard’s diet.

    A sizable disparity between the sides is hard to dispute, even though United roared back from a goal down to win 4-1 in November. Studying interactions between the bosses could be the major source of intrigue at St James’ Park.

    LUKE HAS TO BE SHAW ABOUT HIS FUTURE

    Luke Shaw appears to be back on the ascent in his rollercoaster United career.

    Mourinho stated he would be “a United player for years” in his pre-match press conference, some turnaround for a 22-year-old whose attitude and approach has been disparaged so many times under his stewardship.

    The left-back has started seven of United’s last nine games and performed well upon his return to the XI for last Saturday’s 2-0 win against Huddersfield, Ashley Young paying the price for being one of several poor performers in defeat at Tottenham.

    But the £30 million (Dh189m) signing from Southampton in 2014 has been here before. On January 19, Mourinho said: “I don’t see many left-backs better than Luke Shaw” – then promptly dropped him for the 1-0 win at Burnley.

    A show of faith for a historically tricky away day will continue Shaw’s rehabilitation. It could even put him on the path to being a starter for England at World Cup 2018.

    But what will a demotion to the bench do to his ego? It should set alarm bells ringing about the ultimate futility of his position under the ‘Special One’.

    Luke Shaw (r) competes with Huddersfield's Tommy Smith.

    Luke Shaw (r) competes with Huddersfield’s Tommy Smith.

    FOOTBALL FAMILY IS SET TO REMEMBER MILLER

    Manchester United are set to don black armbands this afternoon in remembrance of Liam Miller, who passed away on Friday aged just 36 from pancreatic cancer.

    Legendary figures from Wayne Rooney to Ferguson have all paid tribute to the ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder in the aftermath. No team-mates or senior members of coaching staff are left from Miller’s – ultimately unfulfilled – spell at Old Trafford from 2004-06, but this will not prevent his memory being respected.

    Once a player is part of any club, they remain so forever. It will not matter that the nascent talent exhibited at Celtic only translated into two goals in 22 matches.

    Liam Miller joined United from Celtic in 2004.

    Liam Miller joined United from Celtic in 2004.

    Football is often criticised by outsiders for its rampant tribalism. Often rightly so.

    Yet you can guarantee that Newcastle fans will stand in unison, despite Miller scoring three times in 60 appearances for bitter rivals Sunderland from 2006-09.

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