Menu synchronization with category listing

Hi, guys!

I have been confused lately with a question on how to synchronize a menu with category listing. I you think about it, this is an issue about all Joomla category based components.

Let me explain:

I have a two level category tree and a menu, which replicates that same category tree. So I can get to any subcategory in two ways - either by clicking on the menu item or by clicking the item in the category listing. The links are mysite.com/pipes/circular-pipes and mysite.com/pipes/category/23-circular-pipes accordingly.

The problems are two:
1) If I click the second link, menu item, which also leads to that category, is not marked as active,
2) Google doesn't like duplicate content.


I am sure there is a way to 'tie' content with a menu item, but how do you do it? Canonical links only fix the second issue.

Thank you for your reply.
I took a look at it, but it doesn't meet my requirements. I have to display a menu tree along with all products there. If a category has a product and a subcategory, I need them both to be shown in the menu. I also noticed that active subcategories aren't marked as active in the listing module.