Here, Press Association Sport'sSam Christie analyses the men on the benches.

TROPHIES

Mourinho is 11 years Van Gaal's junior but still boasts a CV to match any manager in the game. The self-styled 'Special One' burst onto the scene in 2003 when he guided Porto to UEFA Cup glory and then added the Champions League title the following year, knocking out Manchester United on the way before cruising to a 3-0 victory over Monaco in the final.

That summer he joined Chelsea and steered the Blues to back-to-back Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and two League Cups during a successful four-year spell before leaving Stamford Bridge in September 2007 and making the switch to manage Inter Milan the following summer.

More success followed as Mourinho's Inter won successive Scudettos and this season's Coppa Italia.

Van Gaal began his managerial career at Ajax back in 1991 and went on to steer the Dutch side to 11 trophies during a six-year spell which included three league titles, the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup and most notably two Champions League finals, winning in 1995 and finishing runners-up a year later.

The Dutchman moved to Barcelona in 1997 where he won La Liga twice, the Spanish Cup and Super Cup before enduring a disappointing spell in charge of his native national team which culminated in failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals. With his reputation tarnished, Van Gaal returned to club management and guided AZ Alkmaar to the league championship in the 2008-09 season and then claimed the Bundesliga crown with Bayern this season, his first year with the German giants.

STRENGTHS

Mourinho, who is arguably the most sought after coach in Europe, prides himself on his tactical nous and over the years has developed the knack of winning ugly. He's developed a strong spine in his Inter team, bringing in attacking players Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o from Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively to join Inter's central rearguard of Lucio and Walter Samuel.

Van Gaal has 19 years of managing experience under his belt and was the architect of the famous Ajax side of the 1990s which included the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Edwin van der Sar and the De Boer brothers. The 58-year-old is an advocate of expansive attacking football.

WEAKNESSES

Mourinho ultimately lost his job at Stamford Bridge because he failed to deliver owner Roman Abramovich's plea for free-flowing attacking football and is often accused of placing too much emphasis on the defensive aspect of the game. Mourinho's outspoken nature puts him in the firing line should he ever suffer a trophyless season and the former Chelsea boss has an uncomfortable relationship with Italian football, making no secret of his dislike for Serie A.

Van Gaal has attracted his fair share of controversy too, falling out with the bulk of his players when managing the Dutch national team and Barcelona. The 58-year-old ran into dispute with many of his stars when in charge at the Nou Camp, and this coupled with his inability to relate his ideas to the media and fans, ultimately led to his resignation after three years in charge. In his next job he failed to guide a gifted Holland side to the World Cup 2002 finals and was consequently replaced by Dick Advocaat, before returning to Barca for an unsuccessful six-month spell in 2002.