Newcastle United news: Maradona's surprise verdict on Benitez and Newcastle, Atsu on his big move

Benitez was sacked by Real Madrid midway through last season. He went on to succeed Steve McClaren at St James's Park, where he has a three-year contract.

And the Argentina legend Maradona has questioned the move in an interview with a Spanish newspaper.

Meanwhile, on-loan Christian Atsu has been talking about the phone call from Benitez which persuaded him to join United in the summer.

Finally, former Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie was back on Tyneside at the weekend for a reunion of Kevin Keegan's famous "Entertainers" team of the 1990s.

And Gillespie has been speaking about the "pull" of United after a heavy summer of recruitment at the club.

* Newcastle United are screening the game against Barnsley at Oakwell on Tuesday, October 18 (7.45pm kick-off) night at St James’s Park.

The club is showing the Championship game at the stadium’s NINE and Terrace bars after its 5,700-ticket allocation sold out.

Free tickets to the screening are available in person from NINE Bar and the ticket office at St James’s Park. They can also be ordered online and by telephone, though they will be subject to a £1 booking fee.