Mitro or Rondon? I will stick with what we have, thanks!

Mag, Alexsandar Mitrovic, being temporarily back among us and hell bent on proving Rafa Benitez was wrong to sell him. Mitro’s stock was further cranked up this week when, having scored 31 goals for club and country this year, he received Serbia’s Golden Ball, awarded to the country’s best player. However, Benitez can point to Salomon Rondon in retaliation because the man brought in to replace Mitrovic plays with a passion and a commitment which his predecessor could lack on occasions.

Which one would you prefer to be your champion? Decision please before they go head to head. I will stick with what we have.

Skipper Jamaal Lascelles knows Mitrovic well and has to lead those around him in snuffing out any threat.

I always remember Glenn Roeder telling me how he handled formerteam-mate Billy Whitehurst when they met in direct opposition.

Billy was known for his physical confrontation even more than Mitro – he was like a steamroller trundling downhill mowing all in his path – and Roeder decided to try to distract him from causing mass mayhem.

So he talked to Whitehurst all game about greyhound racing at Brough Park.

Whitehurst duly laid off Roeder – but smashed the nose of his sidekick Peter Jackson in an aerial bombardment!

Now I am not suggesting Lascelles tries to talk Mitro out of meaningful action but he knows enough of his opponent to keep him relatively quiet – though full-backs (or wingbacks) cutting out the crosses which feed the big man would be an extra help.

Over a long season I still prefer Rondon to Mitrovic - but centre-forwards are only as good as the service they receive and United must remember that.