Juan Mata gets Maradona on-side for Man Utd in Dubai

As Barcelona, Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich dominate the headlines for the next few days, Manchester United seem to be slipping into the background.

The Red Devils will not see Champions League action till next week and compared to the blockbuster lineups this week, United have a relatively calmer draw in Europe’s top club tourney.

This is why their warm weather training stint in Dubai seems to be a more relaxed and kicked back time. Unless of course meeting Maradona in Dubai may yield some drastic change of form.

Juan Mata met Maradona and tweeted this picture. Maradona, as one of the few claimants to the title of ‘World’s Greatest Footballer Ever’, has seen it all, won it all and done it all.

So any tips from him will be more than welcome for David Moyes’ marquee January signing – Mata.

The ex-Chelsea man has still to make an impact at United and while he shares a joke with Maradona in Dubai, United fans will be hoping he shares some of the footballing skill the legend possessed in his prime as well.

They may not be the force they once were, but Manchester United are still a big draw in terms of their fan following around the world.

Click to read: Mata blogs from Dubai... Great weather, amazing fans, hard training…

Buttner the poser; Vidic, RVP grab a Dubai bite

They may not be the force they once were, but Manchester United are still a big draw in terms of their fan following around the world.

That following tracked them to Dubai this weekend and while the Red Devil stars stayed well hidden, it was United defender young Alex Buttner who offered up the first photographic proof of the Old Trafford team here in Dubai.

Buttner posted this picture on Instagram and while it may not suggest a heavy training regimen going on in the emirate - his heavily tattooed frame looking suitably relaxed for the beach – we can at least be sure some United stars are getting plenty of rest on this warm weather training trip.

United’s disastrous debut season under new manager David Moyes has them 11 points off the Champions League places – note the defending champions' chances of defending their English premier League crown are not even being spoken about.

Maybe Dubai can help turn things around.

The other picture doing the rounds on Twitter is of Nemanja Vidic and Robin Van Persie enjoy a meal in Dubai.

While Vidic has already announced that he will leave United at the end of the season, talk is now rife about the possibility of Van Persie considering a move back to Arsenal.

A last supper pic then of two United greats. And yes, we have to say Van Persie, even if he leaves after two seasons, will be a United great. After all, he single handedly won the title for Sir Alex Ferguson in the Scot's last year in charge.

if only he stays for Moyes...

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.