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Memphis Depay has told Lyon to make the most of him while they can as he is unsure if he will still be at the club after January amid persistent links with Barcelona.

Barca boss Ronald Koeman has made no secret of his desire to sign Depay, with whom he worked as head coach of the Netherlands national side.

A deal failed to materialise late in the recent transfer window, despite the 26-year-old agreeing personal terms with Barca, but a fresh approach is expected in the new year.

Depay is out of contract at the end of 2020-21 and says he cannot guarantee he will even see out the remainder of the campaign at the Groupama Stadium.

"You ask me about this a lot, but I'm not going to make promises that I'm not sure I can keep," he told  Telefoot  when asked if he will swap clubs in January.

"I think Lyon has to take advantage of my presence here now, and I have to take advantage of being here. That's what I try to do every day. You can ask those around me: I like to train, and I try to be positive every day."

Depay was involved in Lyon's 2-1 win over bitter rivals Saint-Etienne on Sunday, a win that lifted Rudi Garcia's side up to fifth in Ligue 1 with 10 games played.

The forward has featured in each of those matches, scoring five times and setting up three more.

Since joining Lyon from Manchester United in January 2017, Depay has been directly involved in 83 Ligue 1 goals in 111 appearances, putting him level with Edinson Cavani - who played in 26 fewer games - and behind only Kylian Mbappe (110 goal involvements in 100 matches).

For comparison, Luis Suarez scored and assisted a combined 112 goals in 112 appearances for Barcelona over the same time frame, while Lionel Messi is way out in front with 173 goal involvements in 129 matches.

Depay has hinted he is frustrated at Lyon as his side already trail leaders Paris Saint-Germain by seven points.

"The title should be our aim," he said. "Even if I cannot say everything going through my head right now, in terms of what's happening, what I am seeing at the club, there are things that I honestly can't say."

Pep Guardiola “looks slightly aloof” at Manchester City, says David James, with the former Blues goalkeeper “worried” that the Catalan coach may be taking in a long goodbye.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has already made a stint at the Etihad Stadium the longest of his distinguished managerial career to date.

City would like him to stay on beyond the summer of 2021, but no extension to an expiring contract has been agreed as yet.

Guardiola has remained coy on his future plans, with many expecting efforts in the Champions League to dictate whether he stays on in his current post or not, and uncertainty continues to reign.

James fears that the 49-year-old may already be planning his departure, with a charismatic character looking a little withdrawn of late.

The ex-City keeper told Stadium Astro on the back of a 1-1 draw with fellow title hopefuls Liverpool: “Pep’s future is in question.

“When I watched his pre-match interview, he replicated that in the post-match interview. He looks slightly aloof.

“This is a guy like [Jurgen] Klopp who can break the game down. Klopp said it very cleanly what he thought the game went like, even where they made mistakes, whereas Pep is ‘they scored, we had a penalty, should have won’ and it’s a little bit distant.

“When such an intelligent man who doesn’t mind talking the truth starts speaking in coded word, then I start getting worried about Manchester City.”

Guardiola is not the only prominent figure at the Etihad to be seeing a deal run down.

City’s all-time leading goalscorer, Sergio Aguero, is in a similar position and James admits that the Blues should be starting to draw up plans for life without the prolific Argentine striker.

He added, with it possible that a leaf could be taken out of Liverpool’s book when it comes to the piecing together of a new-look attacking unit: “I think with Aguero, his age is going against him.

“The fact that he had the injury at the end of last season, which might be a continuation into this season.

“The fact that Manchester City have got to find a replacement – [Ferran] Torres could theoretically take his place alongside [Gabriel] Jesus because there will be a different dynamic when Aguero goes.

“City will have players who can do that – [Phil] Foden is another and if anything Man City start becoming more like Liverpool than they were using Aguero as that focal point for their attack.”

Memphis Depay has questioned the mentality of his Lyon team-mates amid their underwhelming start to the Ligue 1 season.

Lyon were tipped to put in a strong title challenge in 2020-21 after their impressive showing in the Champions League last term.

Rudi Garcia's side could only manage a seventh-place finish in the French top flight, but made it through to the last four in Europe's elite competition, only to be beaten 3-0 by Bayern Munich.

Lyon have struggled to build on that platform at the start of the new campaign, and find themselves seven points behind reigning champions and pacesetters Paris Saint-Germain after just 10 fixtures.

A 2-1 win at home to Saint-Etienne on Sunday lifted the mood of gloom at the Groupama Stadium somewhat heading into the international break, with Tino Kadewere grabbing a brace to seal a crucial victory.

Depay expressed his frustration over the team's lack of consistency before the derby clash, and urged his team-mates to take on the extra responsibility that comes with playing for one of the biggest clubs in France.

Asked to address the possibility of Lyon fighting for the title this season, the Netherlands international told Telefoot: "This should be our goal. Even though I can't say everything that crosses my mind ... about what's going on, what I'm seeing at the club, there are things I can't honestly say. 

"But it should be a motivation for all the players who come to Lyon. Because it's a very big club, people have to realise that. And every player who comes to the club must realise this. 

"You come here to bring back trophies. There should at least be this mentality."

Depay and co will be back in action with Lyon after the latest round of international matches, with a trip to Stade Raymond Kopa to face Angers on the cards on November 22.

Garcia's side are due to play host to Reims seven days later, before opening their December schedule with a clash against Metz as the fixture list continues to pile up amid the coronavirus crisis.

David Alaba would be the “best option” for Liverpool if they look for a short-term solution at centre-half in the January transfer window, says Danny Murphy.

The Reds continue to mull over their options when it comes to reinforcing in the winter. Virgil van Dijk has been ruled out for several months with knee ligament damage, leaving a sizeable void at the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s back four.

Various candidates have been asked to provide cover for the Netherlands international, with Joel Matip, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams all staking their claims to a regular role.

It could, however, be that more cash is invested in a proven performer at the very highest level. Alaba, who has seen contract talks break down at Bayern Munich, would fit the mould for the reigning Premier League champions.

Former Reds midfielder Murphy told Stadium Astro: “In terms of his ability, he absolutely fits. He is a super player.

“I suppose what you would have to be looking at from Jurgen Klopp’s perspective is the balance of the squad moving forward when everyone is fit. Or you just look short-term and get the best option in possible, which would be him.

“I would be wanting to do it. You can’t have enough good players. I think he would certainly add quality and strength in depth, but there will be a lot of people interested and a lot of takers for Alaba.”

David James is another ex-Liverpool star that would be in favour of making a move for Alaba, but also feels that long-term thinking needs to be taken into account when plotting any moves for players that would expect to see regular football well beyond the end of the current campaign.

“He is a phenomenal player,” said the former Reds goalkeeper. “Of course Liverpool would want him. I think the top six English clubs would want him if he was available, but it’s what you do once you’ve got him.

“These short-term fixes have long-term consequences because you end up pushing someone further down the line. You aren’t going to sign him for two minutes, you are going to sign him long-term and it’s whether it fits into the Liverpool plan.

“One thing Liverpool have been good at is recruitment since Klopp took over so if they weren’t thinking about him before his want to move on, then he wouldn’t be one of their targets – even if he became available.”

Argentina and Napoli great Diego Maradona is continuing to make an "incredible recovery" from brain surgery, according to his personal doctor Leopoldo Luque.

The 60-year-old underwent a "routine" operation for a subdural haematoma last Tuesday, a day after being admitted to hospital due to concerns over anaemia and dehydration.

Luque previously revealed Maradona will remain in hospital until at least Monday and has now provided a further update on the legendary forward's condition.

"Diego is better, much better," he said outside Olivos Clinic in Buenos Aires province, where Maradona is staying. "Every day he is improving. His recovery is incredible. He's very lucid."

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and guided Napoli to two Serie A titles, has been in charge of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata since 2019.

The club were in action on Sunday for the first time since their head coach was hospitalised, drawing 2-2 with Velez Sarsfield in Argentina’s top tier.

Gimnasia's players held a banner reading "we are with you" ahead of the game, and assistant boss Sebastian Mendez hopes his side did Maradona proud with their display.

"It has been a complicated week," he said. "Diego is still hospitalised and we are all aware of that.

"We have built a very strong group and we are a family. When one falls, another picks him up. There is always a word of encouragement and that makes the group healthy. It also results in a team that is hard to beat on the pitch. It was a difficult week and we managed to play well.

"The latest news I have from Diego is that he is very well, luckily, and thank God because it is what we all hope. He is in a good mood and passes these days in the best possible way."

Matias Garcia, who scored from the penalty spot against Velez, told Fox Sports: "We send him a big hug and hope he soon recovers. We are waiting for him."

Maradona, widely considered to be one of the greatest to play the game, was top scorer and named best player at the 1986 World Cup, and reached the final in 1990.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba celebrated Victor Wanyama’s second-half goal in their 3-2 win against D.C. United on Sunday.

Wanyama scored the second goal that counted big for Montreal Impact, who finally sealed a playoffs place on 'decision day', while Bojan Krkic and Romell Quioto were the other scorers.

In a tweet replying to Montreal Impact’s post on Wanyama’s goal, the former Ivory Coast striker expressed his elation with a ‘Goooaaallllll’ statement.

Drogba played for the Canadian side from 2015 to 2016 and scored 21 goals in 33 matches.

Wanyama’s goal and Drogba’s celebrations all came as Uganda left-back Mustafa Kizza made his Montreal Impact debut.

Montreal Impact's manager Thierry Henry was elated by the spirit of his team despite poor performances in the last three matches.

“We always needed to fight, we did it and we didn’t give up,” Henry said after the match.

“Could we have clinched before? Yes of course. But we did it, away from home, down at halftime against a team that was hot at the moment and we needed to fight for it.”

The Frenchman also felt for D.C. United who were defeated at their own turf.

"We deserve this win but I’d like to tip my hat to this D.C. United team that came back from far. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get through and it worked out for us,” he stated.

“The thing that comes back for me is that this group suffered a lot this year. And to have something to look at and say at least we’re in the playoffs and let’s see what can happen next is very good.”

A draw would have helped D.C. United seal the playoffs slot but a late goal by Quioto broke their hearts in the 88th minute.

“It’s obviously heartbreaking,” D.C. United interim Chad Ashton manager said.

“We’ve been decimated by injuries all year, and I give the group such great credit for showing such character to hang in there and find a way to get us to today.

“The group is going to be fine moving forward. It shows great character. It’s the building blocks of a foundation that creates culture. These guys are still in the process of creating that culture, but I believe the group took a lot of steps toward creating that.”

The win saw Montreal Impact get back in the playoffs for the first time since qualifying for the Eastern Conference final in 2016.

Megan Rapinoe has slammed English football for their "disgraceful" under-investment in the women's game while admitting to fearing for her career after taking a knee in 2016.

The profile of the Women's Super League was raised significantly following a summer of major transfers, with members of the United States' 2019 World Cup winners squad completing moves to England.

Rose Lavelle joined Manchester City from OL Reign and Alex Morgan left Orlando Pride to take up a new challenge with Tottenham.

They joined international stars like Pernille Harder, Sam Kerr and Vivianne Miedema in the WSL, which is finally starting to see increased exposure around the world after entering into its 10th year.

Rapinoe, who serves as captain for both the USWNT and OL Reign, thinks a solid platform for the women's game to grow on a larger scale has been a long-time coming, and she has been particularly unimpressed by the lack of funding provided to clubs in England.

"I think women's football in England is the same as in America - it is so far behind because of what we've had to overcome in the lack of investment," the 35-year-old told BBC Sport.

"It's 2020. How long has the Premier League been around? And we're only just seeing a club like Manchester United put effort and pounds towards a women's team? Frankly, it's disgraceful.

"I've had a few team-mates go abroad and play, while I'm training and trying to keep fit in the hopes that eventually we'll be out of this hellscape."

Rapinoe went on to insist she has no plans to hang up her boots with the Olympics just around the corner, and has even opened the door to a potential appearance at the next World Cup finals in 2023.

"I want to keep playing. I'm definitely not anywhere near retirement - I absolutely want to play at the Olympics," she said. "After the Olympics I'll have to take a longer look at the next three years. We're a year closer to the next World Cup and it's pretty enticing. We'll leave that one out in the open."

The United States talisman also opened up on the backlash she received after taking a knee in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem four years ago, insisting she has no regrets over taking a stand against police brutality and racial injustice.

"I'm proud of it, to be honest. I'm proud of speaking my mind and doing the right thing. I feel this is how change is made," she said. "Any time I have someone try to explain or argue with me about kneeling or arguing, it's just an incoherent, fumbling, patriotic mess, right? Taking a knee sharpened my understanding of what I did, how I supported Colin and sharpened my resolved in that.

"It was not a comfortable time. I certainly felt that at least my international career was a little bit in jeopardy.

"It showed me a lot of true colours around me in a lot of different ways. The critics yell really loud and I had a federation who clearly didn't support me and, I felt, a coach who really didn't support me, but I had so many people around me who always stuck by me and were with me the whole time.

"You have a choice of what you do in the world. You just have to be prepared to wear the consequences of your actions."

Phil Neville claims it is “absolutely disgraceful that Paul Pogba can’t get in that team” at Manchester United, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the Frenchman has to play in order for the Red Devils to be competitive.

The World Cup winner was back on the bench for a 3-1 win over Everton and he was only introduced eight minutes from the end at Goodison Park, with United once again looking to Bruno Fernandes for inspiration.

The expectation was that Pogba would be allowed to form a productive partnership with the Portuguese playmaker in the Old Trafford engine room.

That has not been the case, for a number of reasons, and questions continue to be asked of the 27-year-old’s value to the collective cause in Manchester.

Neville believes Pogba can be a star man for United, which was always the intention when he was snapped up from Juventus for £89 million ($117m) in 2016, with players such as him needing to be given the trust and freedom they require in order to express themselves and fulfil their undoubted potential.

“I still think it’s absolutely disgraceful that Pogba can’t get in that team,” Neville told Premier League Productions.

“For United to win a league, for United to be successful, for United to play the style of football that Ole wants them to play, then Pogba has to play.

“You can play one of them [Nemanja] Matic, Fred or [Scott] McTominay and then you play Pogba with Fernandes.”

Part of the problem for Pogba is that he wants to fill the same role as Fernandes.

Experiments have already been made when it comes to fielding him in slightly different positions, with Solskjaer even moving him into a wide attacking post at times.

Neville concedes that finding the right mix is proving difficult for United, with it unlikely that Pogba could slot into a deeper holding berth.

“Probably not, no, but I’d rather go out there and score goals, go out there and go for the win playing the Manchester United way with Pogba in the team,” added Neville.

“I know I’ve said about him wanting to leave, not wanting to be there and his inconsistencies but I still think he’s one of the best midfielders around.

“That’s why I’m thinking: Why is Paul Pogba not in that team?”

Pogba has reiterated his dream to play for Real Madrid at some stage in his career, despite seeing a contract extension triggered at United, and he appears set to dominate headlines for the foreseeable future – on and off the field.

Uganda have confirmed two of their foreign-based players have pulled out of the squad for the double-header against South Sudan.

The Cranes coach Johnathan McKinstry has confirmed Uche Ikpeazu Mubiru and Alex Kakuba, who are among the 20 professionals summoned for the Afcon duty, have opted against playing in the fixture owing to various reasons.

Mubiru, who turns out for EnglishChampionship side Wycombe Wanderers, has been ruled out owing to a knee injury he suffered on Friday while Kakuba, who features for Cova Piedade in the Portuguese second division, tested positive for Covid-19 and will thus remain in isolation.

“Unfortunately Uche [Mubiru] sustained an ankle injury on Friday training preparing for their game against Nottingham Forest,” McKinstry told UG Sport as quoted by Kawowo Sports.

“On the other hand, Kakubatested positive for Covid-19 and will thus not travel.”

Two days ago, McKinstry whittled down his squad of local-based players as the team prepares for the must-win double-header.

The Northern Irish tactician had summoned a squad of 20 players from local clubs in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) but after six days of training, he has trimmed the squad down to seven.

Some of the players who were left out include the experienced trio of Tonny Mawejje, Denis Iguma, and Murushid Jjuuko, who were handed a recall to the national team despite staying out of action for almost a year each.

The players who made the final cut are goalkeeper Charles Lukwago, defenders Halid Lwaliwa, Disan Galiwango, and Patrick Mbowa as well as midfielders Shafik Kagimu, Karim Watambala, and forward Brian Aheebwa.

Meanwhile, captain Denis Onyango and striker Michael Azira have already arrived to boost Uganda's squad.

The duo have now joined Al-Hilal Club's Salim Jamal, and Smouha SC’s Derrick Nsibambi, who was the first foreign-based player to link up with the local ones who have been training at the StarTimes Stadium in Lugogo.

Uganda will host South Sudan in the first meeting on November 12 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende (16:00) before they face off again five days later in Kenya.

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns), Salim Jamal Magoola (Al Hilal Omdurman), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC).

Defenders: Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazambe), Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC), Elvis Bwomono (Southend United), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK), Timothy Awany (Ashdod FC), Disan Galiwango (Vipers SC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Patrick Mbowa (URA FC).

Midfielders: Micheal Azira (Chicago Fire), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa), Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel Kfar Saba), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor), Emmanuel Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria), Allan Kymabadde (El Gouna FC), Allan Okello (Paradou FC) AbuKarim Watambala (Vipers SC).

Forwards: Fahad Bayo (Ashdod FC), Edrisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha FC), Mubiru Uche Ikpeazu (Wycombe Wanderers), Alexis Bbakka (Umea FC), Brian Aheebwa (KCCA FC).

SuperSport United marksman Bradley Grobler believes he has not done himself justice on the international stage and is determined to rectify that.

Grobler is in the Bafana Bafana squad which are set to take on Sao Tome and Principe in back-to-back 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the first of which is in Durban on Friday, followed by Port Elizabeth next Monday.

The Matsatsantsa striker was in outstanding form last season with 14 league goals and a further three in the cup. This season he has already found the net three times in all competitions and is determined to now take that form onto the international stage.

“I feel that I have not done enough for my country, and it’s something that I would like to improve on," the 32-year-old said, as quoted by the Sowetan.

"It’s a privilege to wear the national team jersey, and if I can be injury-free and play a lot of matches, then I stand a good chance to be a regular for Bafana.

"I am knocking on the Bafana door, and I want to be a part of the team and take it from there. I feel that I have unfinished business and would like to do more for my country."

Injuries have indeed set Grobler back and for all his talent, he's never really enjoyed a sustained period of goal scoring, season after season, in his career.

And one has to go back as far as 2011 for when he made his Bafana debut, scoring in a friendly match against Zimbabwe. He's only other international goal was also in a friendly, five years later against Mozambique, and in total he's played only seven times for the national team.

So it does certainly seem a case of unfinished business for a player who is seemingly finding his best goal-scoring form late in his career.

Grobler, who has been linked with a move to Orlando Pirates previously, is also excellent at bringing others into play and exhibits some clever touches in and around the box.

He'll be competing with the likes of Kermit Erasmus, Percy Tau, Thabiso Kutumela and Luther Singh for a place in the starting line-up.

We at Goal.com have teamed up with the gaming serires FIFA 21 to identify the top 11 players exisiting in the game today.

Join us in the poll sponsored by FIFA 21 and vote for your favorite left back below but before that here is a quick snippet on some of the players:

Ferland Mendy:  Mendy is one of the best defensive full-backs on the planet right now. His arrival has ushered in a new way of playing under Zidane, with solidarity being the focus, in the absence of goals. And it’s no coincidence that in Mendy’s first season, Los Blancos enjoyed their best defensive season in over three decades. Overall FIFA 21 rating: 83

Andrew Robertson:  was a figure of unparalleled consistency for Liverpool in a season which saw him hit new heights and cement himself among the upper echelon of players around the world. Overall FIFA 21 rating: 87

Alphonso Davies: At the beginning of the 2019/20 season, the youngster was still playing for the Bayern reserve team in the third tier, but in October he made his first start for the first team. Within a few weeks he established himself as an undisputed regular and has been one of the star performers of the treble-winning campaign. Davies is a left-back with devastating pace, dribbling, vision and tenacity and he is constantly involved in the attack. Overall FIFA 21 rating: 81

Sergio Reguilón:  An energetic, almost frantic full-back, Reguilon's trademark is to gallop into the area from deep, rather than cross early.He is not afraid to take on defenders, and registered 1.6 successful dribbles per game last season. Overall FIFA 21 rating: 82

Jordi Alba: We all know what Jordi Alba is capable of. The pacy left-back is often seen touching the line with ample space available, transitioning from defense to offense in a matter of seconds. Overall FIFA 21 rating: 86

Ian Wright says the display of Mikel Arteta’s team in a 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday was “as bad a performance as I’ve seen from an Arsenal side”.

The Gunners great has pulled no punches in his assessment of an abject outing at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal had headed into a meeting with Villa buoyed by recent results at home and abroad, however, consistency is proving to be an issue for the north London outfit once again.

One step forward continues to be followed by another in the opposite direction, with Arteta’s team still very much a work in progress.

That was highlighted against Villa, with Arsenal taking in an evening to forget as they were made to look distinctly average by Dean Smith’s side and saw big-money summer signing Thomas Partey pick up an unfortunate injury.

“It's as bad a performance as I've seen from an Arsenal side when you consider only two of them were playing in midweek,” former Gunners striker Wright told Match of the Day.

Arteta had made a number of changes for a Europa League victory over Molde, but reverted back to his tried and tested versus Villa.

“It was poor in every department,” added Wright. “They need to break the lines, they need space to hit the ball into, they were dithering on the ball.

“It was a million miles away from the performance against Manchester United [where they won 1-0]. They were streets ahead of us.

“The effort and work rate from a team that was rested was nowhere near good enough.

“You need to impress your game upon them.

“There's a lack of a central midfielder that can create what [Arteta] needs, but you can't go into a game like that.”

Wright would appear to be suggesting that Arsenal are lacking guile in the middle of the park, having seen Ghana international Partey bring much-needed graft.

Arteta does have plenty of creativity at his disposal, but the World Cup-winning talents of Mesut Ozil have been cast aside and many have questioned the decision to omit the former Germany international playmaker from domestic and continental squad lists.

Thibaut Courtois questioned the use of VAR in Real Madrid's heavy loss to Valencia and claimed opposition forward Maxi Gomez bought his side one of their penalties by "screaming".

Carlos Soler scored a hat-trick of spot-kicks in Valencia's surprise 4-1 win at Mestalla as Madrid conceded four goals in a Liga match for the first time under Zinedine Zidane.

Lucas Vazquez and Sergio Ramos were penalised for handling the ball inside the box, either side of Marcelo being punished for bringing down Gomez.

Courtois kept out the first penalty before it was retaken because of encroachment and was also beaten by a Raphael Varane own goal in Sunday's clash.

Soler is the first player to score three penalties in a single LaLiga game this century, but Courtois claimed Madrid were hard done by, particularly with the second spot-kick.

"Maxi screams more, and the way VAR gives penalties..." he said. "We had three penalties against, and the second goal was bad luck.

"I think we started well. Sometimes it happens to us that we don't move up the pitch together and we get caught out a little at the back, but [Valencia] haven't created chances.

"The first penalty is a penalty – it's bad luck. I don't know why it was retaken. The second goal is also bad luck. At half-time we were motivated to turn it around. As soon as I started, I make a save that goes onto the post and then two penalties."

There was also some controversy surrounding Valencia's second goal as a lengthy VAR check was needed to check for a possible Denis Cheryshev foul on Marco Asensio.

"There was a foul on Asensio in the build-up," Courtois said. "I heard him say it in the changing room, but you can't change anything there."

Madrid's defeat was their second in four league games, the other coming against newly promoted Cadiz, but Courtois reiterated that it was down to bad luck more than anything.

"We had chances to score, but the ball did not want to go in," he said. "We have to show the unity we did just after quarantine when we were barely letting in goals.

"There are some players who were not available for us but those who played have done well. Now is a good time to leave this game behind. Difficult games are coming."

Vazquez, who made more tackles (four) and clearances (three) than any Madrid player, acknowledged the importance of learning from the humbling defeat.

"It was a tough game and we've got to improve," said the makeshift right-back. "As a team, we came into the game on the back of several pretty good performances in which we performed to our best.

"This game was tough. We just weren't at it. We'll have to analyse it, learn from it and improve. It'll be a really interesting, open and hard-fought Liga season. Let's hope that we can ultimately take the title."

Club Brugge recorded a 3-1 triumph over K.V. Oostende in Sunday’s Belgian top-flight encounter staged at the Versluys Arena.

Goals from Mats Rits, Krepin Diatta and Youssouph Badji were all the Blue-Black needed to silence the hosts who got their only strike through Senegalese forward Makhtar Gueye.

Philippe Clement’s men returned to winning ways having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday’s Champions League showdown.

Both teams started brightly with Oostende having the first chance at goal but Simon Mignolet was alert to save Fashion Sakala’s header. On the other side, the visitors went close to scoring through Ajax forward Noa Lang.

Midway through the first half, the pace dropped and that gave De Kustboys the opportunity to surge forward with Gueye threatening twice, however, he was unable to find the net.

Club Brugge took the lead in the 32nd minute through Rits, who headed home a corner kick from captain Ruud Vormer.

The hosts equalised six minutes later through Gueye courtesy of Andrew Hjulsager’s assist as the first-half ended one goal apiece.

Oostende started the second-half on the front foot as they went in search of the lead while the Blue-Black relied on counter-attacks.

Nevertheless, their ambition to seal all points at stake suffered a massive setback as Jelle Bataille was given his marching orders following a second caution.

Profiting from this numerical advantage, Diatta gave Clement’s team the lead in the 81st minute after making good use of Eduard Sobol’s pass, while substitute Badji sealed the victory with his 90th-minute strike.

Daitta – who has now scored six goals so far this season - was on parade from start to finish alongside Cote d'Ivoire's duo of Simon Deli and Odilon Kossounou, as well as Angola's Clinton Mata.

Nigeria’s Emmanuel Dennis was replaced by Badji a minute before the hour mark whereas Senegal’s Amadou Sagna was not listed for the encounter.

For the hosts, Zambia’s Sakala saw every minute of the action while Gueye was substituted for Cameron McGeehan in the 67th minute. Cameroon international Fabrice Ondoa was not listed for action by manager Alexander Blessin.

This result saw Club Brugge overtake Sporting Charleroi as leaders while Oostende occupy the 11th spot having accrued 15 points from 11 fixtures.

Joe Gomez has reacted to the controversial penalty decision that went against him during Liverpool’s visit to Manchester City, with the Reds able to shrug off the incident after seeing Kevin De Bruyne fluff his lines from 12 yards.

Jurgen Klopp’s side took the lead at the Etihad Stadium with a spot-kick of their own, as Mohamed Salah converted following a clumsy challenge from Kyle Walker on Sadio Mane.

City restored parity through Gabriel Jesus and were gifted a golden opportunity to edge in front late in the first-half.

Gomez was pulled up for handling inside the box, as he sought to a block a cross from De Bruyne, with VAR reviews leading the match officials to reverse their original decision.

A big call appeared harsh, as the ball struck the Reds defender on the elbow as he sought to pull his arms away, but the call stood and Liverpool were relieved to get off the hook as a Belgian midfielder surprisingly fired wide of the post.

Reflecting on another contentious penalty award, Gomez told Liverpool’s official website: “I wouldn't dispute it hit my hand but at the end of the day, I'm running back towards goal and everyone knows the power De Bruyne can hit the ball with.

“It's just a natural motion for me to run. I haven't made an attempt to put my arm towards the ball, it's just happened that quick.

“At the end of the day, it's the ref's decision. There's enough conversation going on around that rule and what's going on, but you just have to move on and accept what's happened.”

Given that the outcome could have been worse for the defending champions, Gomez was pleased to leave Manchester with a point taken from a meeting with fellow Premier League title hopefuls.

He added: “We had our chances. I suppose it probably is a fair reflection of the game in the end. 

“Some frustrating decisions at times but I thought we started the game well and had a good intensity about us in the first half.

“It slowed a bit in the second and both teams, I think, were a bit more conservative. 

“At the end of the day, we know how good City are and we've come away from home and got a point, so I think we've got to take that.

“As I said, it's not an easy place to come and we have to accept that we had our chances and so did they. 

“So I think a point is a fair reflection. We go into the international break now and hopefully we all come back healthy and ready to go.”

Klopp started with a front four against City that included Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota, while his biggest decision at the back saw Gomez line up alongside Joel Matip.

That pairing is expected to thrive in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, if further injuries can be avoided, with there already plenty of potential on display.

Gomez said of his latest centre-half partner: “Everyone knows how good he is and, for me, he is world-class.

“Obviously we've got a big miss in Virgil but I enjoy playing with Joel and we've just got to keep pushing and keep getting points together as a collective.”

Bruno Fernandes has been likened to Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and Eric Cantona by Phil Neville, with the Portuguese considered to have made the same impact at Old Trafford as iconic figures from the past.

The Red Devils knew what they were buying into when bringing a long-running transfer saga to a close in January 2020.

A €55 million (£47m/$60m) deal was put in place with Sporting, allowing a classy playmaker to make his way to Old Trafford.

Fernandes hit the ground running in English football and became a key man for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a top-four finish was secured and three semi-finals were reached in 2019-20.

Maintaining those standards was always going to be difficult, and there have been slight wobbles at times, but the 26-year-old has remained an inspiration figure for United.

Those qualities were highlighted once again in a 3-1 victory over Everton on Saturday, with Neville seeing shades of heroes from years gone by in a talismanic star of the present.

“Since Fernandes joined the club I don’t think he’s had a dip yet,” the former United defender told Premier League Productions.

“You thought after his first initial goals, assists and impact that he made, you thought ‘Where’s that dip coming? Can he do it in the second season? He’s doing it even better.

“When he speaks, he speaks like a Manchester United player, he speaks like a Manchester United captain.

“He speaks like a leader, he speaks like someone who wants to win. I think he’s a special player.

“You’ve seen players that have come to Manchester United over the last probably 10, 15 years, I don’t think anyone has had as big an impact in such a short space of time as him.

“Maybe Rooney, maybe Cantona, those types of names, I think he’s had a similar impact too.

“His stats, his goals, his assists, his performances. Rooney came in and scored a hat-trick in his first game, Cantona comes in, puts his collar up and says ‘I’m a Manchester United player’.

“That type of impact he’s had, even in a team that probably isn’t as good as that team Rooney and Cantona played in.”

Fernandes is considered by many to be the leader that United’s class of 2020-21 are crying out for, with Solskjaer being urged to bring in more players of that ilk as the Red Devils seek to recapture former glories.