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Kashiwa Reysol's Brazilian coach Nelsinho Baptista has tested positive for Covid-19.

The tactician is the coach to Sun King, a home for Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga, and the 70-year-old is currently being treated at home.

"Nelsinho tested positive but is being treated at home," a close source to the coach told Goal on Tuesday.

"He is, however, under care and in stable condition after being hospitalised."

 Other staff and players have also been tested and are waiting for their results which will be out in about 24 hours or so.

"The team today [Tuesday] conducted a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that included staff," the source continued.

"The results will be announced on Wednesday."

Olunga was set to line up for Reysol on Monday, but the game, against Vegalta Sendai, was postponed.

The former Gor Mahia striker was keen to continue with his scoring form which has seen him net 23 goals so far in this campaign.

Though Kashiwa are yet to reveal the players affected by Covid-19, the latest development will not be good news for Kenya coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, who is preparing the team for the Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Comoros in November.

Olunga is among the foreign-based players named in the squad, the others being Victor Wanyama, Johanna Omollo, keeper Arnold Origi, and Eric Johana, and could subsequently be ruled out of the matches.

The first match against Comoros will be played at Kasarani on November 11 with the second one four days later away.

Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya).

Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya) Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Mike Kibwage (Sofapaka, Kenya), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Baraka Badi (KCB, Kenya), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya).

Midfielders: Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Ismael Gonzalez (UD Las Palmas, Spain), Eric Johanna Omondi (Jonkoping’s Sodra, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Musa Masika (Wazito, Kenya), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya) Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka, Kenya), Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Unattached), Peter Thion’go (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Elli Asieche (Sofapaka, Kenya), Mathew Olake (Unattached), Moses Mudavadi (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya), Austin Odhiambo (AFC Leopards, Kenya).

Forwards: Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya).

Reserves: Dennis Sikhayi (Wazito, Kenya), James Kinyanjui (Mathare United, Kenya).

Frank Lampard has revealed the full extent of Christian Pulisic's injury ahead of Chelsea's midweek encounter with Rennes.

Pulisic missed Chelsea's first five games of the 2020-21 campaign with a hamstring issue, but has gradually worked his way back into the team since making his return from the bench in a 4-0 Premier League victory against Crystal Palace on October 3.

The 22-year-old has made four more appearances since then, and was initially named in Lampard starting XI for a trip to Burnley on Saturday.

However, the United States international sustained a knock in the pre-match warm-up which forced him to sit out the 3-0 win at Turf Moor, leaving supporters worried that he could be set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Lampard has now confirmed that Pulisic will miss the Blues' latest Champions League outing at home to Rennes on Wednesday after being struck down with another hamstring problem, but hasn't ruled out the possibility of him being available again in time for a meeting with Sheffield United at the weekend.

"Christian had a scan yesterday that showed a very, very minor injury to his hamstring, very minor. So he's already back outside. He won't be fit tomorrow, but we'll see after that," the 42-year-old told a press conference.

"It is obviously a relief for the injury to be minor. He made the right decision in not attempting to play the game, because he could have made it worse. So it's clearly a relief that he will be back very soon, because he's an important player for us.

"With the actual muscle injuries, it's a hard one to call, it's forever going to be a challenge, some players that play on the edge, have such speed and acceleration in their game, maybe they can be more susceptible.

"I don't think that's a one-size-fits-all answer, because it's different for everybody. From last season we were looking at ways of managing Christian and looking at ways of being proactive in not hopefully getting so many injuries, I know that's something he's experienced previously in his career at Dortmund as well.

"So we're all working in the same direction on that one, to try to get him to be as fit as regularly as possible, because we all know his talent."

Chelsea are also having to carefully manage the fitness of 36-year-old defender Thiago Silva, who has made an impressive start to his career at Stamford Bridge after joining the club as a free agent in August.

Lampard says the Brazilian is well aware of the extra care he must take to stay in peak physical condition, as he added: "It's very important. Within the squad, you try to have standards and we talk to the sports science team, some is in my eyes and talking to the players.

"The honest conversation with Thiago is very easy. He is such an experienced player. At the back end of your career, you have to manage the training."

Lampard also addressed the extra demands placed on his players due to a congested fixture list, insisting the Blues will take each game as it comes as they fight for silverware on multiple fronts.

"It's always a big challenge for top clubs, there are a lot of demands. There are a lot of managers who are calling for more subs as the high demands can be real injury concerns," he said.

"We have to go game by game. We have to get better and we have seen a nice uplift in the way we are playing."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finds himself in a tricky situation at Manchester United as “a lot of people want a bigger name” in the dugout at Old Trafford, says Paul Parker.

The Red Devils sounded an SOS call to a former fan favourite back in December 2018.

Having taken the decision to part with Jose Mourinho, the Premier League heavyweights turned to a familiar face for inspiration.

A member of their Treble-winning squad from 1999 was initially handed the reins on an interim basis, but did enough early on to land himself a three-year contract.

Solskjaer’s honeymoon period quickly faded away, with the Norwegian discovering that life in the United hot seat can be uncomfortable at times.

Questions have been asked of his suitability to a high-profile post on a regular basis, with consistency remaining elusive.

A disjointed start to the 2020-21 campaign has sparked further rounds of speculation regarding his future, with various candidates being tipped to step into his shoes.

Parker is not surprised to see the rumour mill ticking over again, with change seemingly never far away for the red half of Manchester.

He is, however, of the opinion that Solskjaer should be given time in which to get things right, with there no guarantee that a more proven performer would fare any better – with the likes of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho having all failed to replicate the success of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Former United defender Parker told Eurosport: “Ole is doing OK. He is fighting against his doubters at the moment, but I think he is in front.

“We have been in this position before with United, making progress then sacking managers. We will have to wait and see with Solskjaer.

“The doubters come out in force when he loses a game – there are a lot of people who don’t want him in the job, they want a bigger name, they want a bigger manager.

“You can only manage the problem so far given who is upstairs. There will be highs like the two Champions League games.”

United have fared admirably in Europe this season, claiming the notable scalps of Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig, but Premier League struggles are holding them back and the club have made their worst start to a campaign since Moyes’ tenure in 2013-14 – with home form proving to be particularly alarming.

Hearts of Oak CEO Frederick Moore has confirmed the departure of recently-hired Portuguese coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto to his homeland but maintains the 46-year-old could well make a return to his job.

Pinto was named as the new technical trainer of the Phobians last month.

On Saturday, however, the former Saint George of Ethiopia coach left for Portugal - just eight days into his appointment - amid reports of having quit his job over unhappiness surrounding his working terms.

"It’s true the coach has gone back but a lot of what is going around on social media isn’t completely true,” Moore said on Kumasi FM.

“He’s gone back for a variety of reasons; the son and wife has contracted Covid-19 and he’s gone to see them, I’ve even had a chat with him this evening.

“I do not want to concentrate on Carlos Vaz Pinto. Any supporter's priority should be for us to win and not who’s in charge of the team.

“Pinto did not leave on bad terms and if everything goes on well he could come back but we are building an academy and needs a director of football and cannot wait if he’s not back in five or six weeks time. Accra Hearts of Oak is bigger than an individual and Pinto himself knows that.

“The noise of which coach leads the team isn’t helpful to the boys, they need to concentrate and win.”

Reports claim Pinto left the Phobians after failing to reach an agreement with the club's board about a prospective assistant.

Others speculated the Portuguese, who has also managed Angolan clubs Clube Recreativo da Caala and Recreativo de Libolo, was not in favour of Hearts head coach Edward Nii Odoom, who has been in charge of the club since last year.

The second most successful club in the history of the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Hearts are eyeing a 20th title in the coming season which kicks off on November 14.

The Phobians, winners of the Caf Champions League in 2000, will start their league campaign with a clash against Aduana Stars.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Paul Pogba's recent form, reminding his critics that the Manchester United star has had to contend with injuries and coronavirus in recent months. 

United have endured a particularly unimpressive start to the 2020-21 Premier League season, accumulating just seven points from six matches. 

They have been especially poor at home domestically, losing to Crystal Palace, Tottenham and most recently Arsenal, while Chelsea held them to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. 

It's the first time since 1972-73 that United have failed to win any of their opening four top-flight home games, with the 1-0 loss on Sunday ending a 14-year unbeaten run over Arsenal in Manchester. 

Pogba accepted responsibility for that defeat after he clumsily tripped Hector Bellerin in the box as the Spaniard actually headed away from goal, giving Pierre Emerick-Aubemeyang the chance to net the winner from the penalty spot. 

The criticism of United has been unrelenting since, but the scrutiny of Pogba goes back further having arguably failed to enjoy a single standout match this term. 

Ex-Red Devils assistant coach Rene Meulensteen has been among those to question the 27-year-old's performances, as he told talkSPORT at the start of the week: "He is a very talented player. Everyone keeps talking about him – he’s world class, he’s world class.

“I would never use world class so easily because I know players past and present and they deserve the accolade of being world class. In my opinion, Paul doesn’t deserve that in any shape or form because I don’t think he’s lived up to expectations."

Solskjaer, however, has sympathy with the midfielder, and has insisted that he has shown plenty of promise since returning to full fitness after the international break.

"Paul knows with that exact incident he could have done better," the Norwegian said ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to Istanbul Basaksehir. "He's held his hand up. That's how football is - it's high intensity, high tempo.

"Every player is frustrated, himself too, after a defeat. We need consistency from every one of our players. 

"Paul has been going through a difficult period with injury last season, with coronavirus this season, so I think we have seen plenty of positives recently and hopefully it will continue."  

United head to Istanbul having taken a maximum six points from their first two Group H matches with a commendable 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in France and a brilliant 5-0 demolition of RB Leipzig. 

Basaksehir have lost both matches in their European campaign and their Turkish title defence is not going to plan either; they sit seventh after seven games, though have won each of their previous three league matches.

David Brooks saw reported interest from Manchester United and Liverpool come to nothing over the summer and the Wales international says any future thoughts are now locked on Bournemouth.

The highly-rated midfielder was among those expected to part company with the Cherries in the last marketplace.

On the back of relegation out of the Premier League, the south coast outfit were always going to find it difficult to retain the services of prized assets.

Nathan Ake and Callum Wilson were among those to move on, but Brooks saw the deadline pass with no deal done.

He was said to be registering on radars at Old Trafford and Anfield, with his creative qualities drawing plenty of admiring glances, and many talked him up for a big-money move.

Brooks is, however, now fully focused on events at Bournemouth and, heading towards another window in January, says his sole target at present is to get the Cherries back into the big time.

The talented 23-year-old said in The Echo: “I think being in the Premier League – I had a full season and then got injured. From my point of view, it was cut a bit short for myself.

“I was disappointed I couldn’t really factor in last year, so I am desperate to get back in the Premier League and hopefully it’s with Bournemouth.

“Everyone wants to be playing at the big, nice stadiums and on the big occasions hopefully, when the crowds are back in.

“We are all working towards that and, with the squad we’ve got, we’ve got a really good chance.”

Brooks believes Bournemouth are capable of bouncing back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, with Jason Tindall’s side having gone unbeaten through their opening nine games in 2020-21.

“I think if you asked any of the squad where we will be at the end of the year – I genuinely believe we will be going up and we will be in and around those one or two automatic spaces,” Brooks, who joined the Cherries from Sheffield United for £10 million ($13m) in 2018, added.

“I think the confidence is good. I think we are playing some nice stuff at times but we have to get used to, maybe, grinding out results and a bit more physical play.

“I think we will be right up there.”

Lionel Messi always shows his "ambition" and "winning character" and is not difficult to manage, according to Ronald Koeman, who has rejected Quique Setien's view on the Barcelona superstar.

This week, former Barca coach Quique Setien described Argentina superstar Messi as the greatest player of all time but said: "There's another facet beyond just the player and it's more difficult to manage. Much more difficult. 

"It's something inherent in many athletes that can be seen in the Michael Jordan documentary ['The Last Dance']. You see things you don't expect."

Setien was dismissed in the wake of the humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League quarter-finals, with Koeman replacing the deposed coach.

The Dutchman retained the services of Messi in his squad despite a very public and ugly transfer saga involving the Barca captain.

But Koeman insists he does not find it tricky managing a player considered by many as the best of all time.

"I respect all opinions. For me Leo is the best player in the world, I am seeing his ambition and winning character," he told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev at Camp Nou. 

"I have no difficulties to lead [him]. He is the captain and I talk to him every week. I see things differently from Setien and I do not agree [with his opinion]."

Despite being in the infancy of his tenure, there is already some pressure on Koeman – not least because of the resignation of president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Barca have also only taken two points from their past four La Liga matches, a run that included a 3-1 reverse to Real Madrid in the Clasico and a 1-1 draw at Deportivo Alaves, who finished Saturday's encounter with 10 men.

In La Liga this season, Barca have scored 10 goals, created 58 chances and 13 big chances in six games. Madrid, as a comparison, have 13, 81 and 25 across the metrics.

Koeman insists his side are trying to play in a positive way and does not pay too much attention to external noise about his long-term future.

"My future at Barcelona is not the most important thing. You have to live day by day and try to win the games," he added. 

"We ask for peace of mind and time because we are changing a lot of things. In La LIga we have been good, but we have not gotten good results. In the rest I have no influence. I will do my best to stay a long time.

"We are the team that creates the most chances per game. The image we are showing is positive and we will continue on this path although we know that in LaLiga you have to win more games."

Barca's clash with Dynamo has been hit by several positive results for coronavirus returned by the visitors.

But Koeman warned his side against complacency if the match goes ahead, especially considering Shakhtar Donetsk had similar issues prior to beating Madrid in matchday one.

"We know that Dynamo has problems due to COVID. They have done a test this morning, we have to wait for the results this afternoon," he added. 

"I don't know the UEFA rules. We have to prepare for the game and hopefully we can play it.

"The COVID issue is not easy. At Dynamo there are many players and that influences their quality, but there were also casualties at Shakhtar and they won against Madrid. 

"You have to respect the opposition."

Mohamed Salah is “not a cheat”, says former Liverpool striker John Aldridge, with there “plenty of worse culprits” when it comes to diving debates in the Premier League and across Europe.

The Egyptian forward finds himself back under a simulation spotlight after Salah’s last outing saw him take a tumble after tangling with West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku inside the box.

A penalty was awarded, that the 28-year-old duly converted, but questions have been asked of whether modern-day stars go to ground too easily.

Salah has been accused of such theatrics in the past, but the general consensus is that players have to go down in order to get big decisions.

Aldridge admits as much and feels a star turn on Merseyside is being unfairly singled out due to his profile as a global superstar.

The former Reds frontman told the Liverpool Echo: “What I will say about the incident against West Ham is first and foremost it was a penalty.

“Yes, Mo did over-react, as a lot of players - both continental and British - do.

“It’s something that has crept into the game more over the last few decades although it’s always been there to an extent as anyone who saw Franny Lee in action would tell you.

“It’s not just forward players either, John Terry when he was playing at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho was as bad as the strikers!

“Yes Mo went to ground quite easily but he was kicked and, whether people like it or not, that is what you have to do to get the reaction from the referee.

“It would be much better if referees would give a foul when players try to stay on their feet but they never, ever do and, as I’ve said many times before, until officials do start doing that players will feel they’ve got no option but to hit the deck.

“If defenders are naive enough to get too close to Salah or Harry Kane or whoever and hit them, it’s their fault for getting suckered in.”

Aldridge added: “I do think Mo has to be more subtle about it because he’s already missed out on a lot of penalties he should have had for Liverpool because of his reactions.

“The way he plays with getting in the box so often and how he uses his body against defenders means he’ll always put defenders under pressure.

“He gets kicked plenty as well and as Liverpool fans we’ve seen how sometimes he doesn’t get his just deserts so it’s swings and roundabouts really.

“I’d like to see him not go to ground too heavy but it’s hard because he’s done it all of his life like a lot of players, it’s almost second nature and in the DNA to many now, Harry Kane included.

“Mo Salah is not a cheat, he goes down no more regularly than anyone else and I actually think there’s plenty of worse culprits but he gets highlighted more often because he’s such a fantastic player.”

Manchester United linked Mauricio Pochettino is not an elite manager like Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, according to former Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs in November 2019, but has opened the door to a return to the Premier League amid ongoing rumours he could be in line to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.

“I discovered an amazing people in this country, an amazing culture. I am in love," the Argentine told Sky Sports on Monday.

"I was always ready to be involved in the game again. I love football. It’s my passion, not my job."

Pochettino transformed Tottenham into Premier League contenders and Champions League finalists during his five-year reign, getting the best out of the likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen while implementing an entertaining, attack-minded philosophy.

He was, however, unable to bring to an end the club's long wait for silverware, and for that reason, Bent doesn't hold him in the same esteem as the top managers in English football.

“When I look at elite managers that are out there: I look at [Jurgen] Klopp, [Pep] Guardiola and even [Carlo] Ancelotti,” the former Spurs star told talkSPORT. "I can’t put Pochettino into that bracket yet. I know he’s been at Spurs, but he didn’t win anything.

“But to elevate him all of a sudden because he got to a Champions League final and a League Cup final, that’s not world level management for me. I think he’s good, but I just don’t just think he’s in that bracket.

“You look at what Pochettino did at Spurs. He took them to a level. At the end of the day after all that great work that Poch had done developing these players such as Dele Alli and Harry Kane, [chairman] Daniel Levy still needed someone to come in and win them trophies.

“It felt like Pochettino could not do that. Was getting them to a Champions League final enough? Does that automatically catapult you into that elite bracket, because you took someone into a Champions League final? For me it doesn’t.”

Bent also ranks Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta above Pochettino, having seen the Spaniard deliver two trophies at Emirates Stadium in 11 months.

“Look at [Mikel] Arteta at Arsenal, too. He’s a better coach than Pochettino as well. He’s not even been a manager for a year and look at what he’s done there," he added.

“He’s identified the players he’s got there and knows definitely they weren’t great defensively. He’s changed that all completely around.

“He’s gone in there and won an FA Cup and a Community Shield, while beating some of the biggest teams out there. He’s managed to find a way of winning things.”

Mikel Arteta has quickly become “the governor” at Arsenal, says Tony Adams, with the Spaniard considered to be doing a “remarkable job” at Emirates Stadium.

A rookie coach was handed the reins in north London back in December 2019.

Fellow Spaniard Unai Emery had flopped as successor to the iconic Arsene Wenger, with the Gunners deciding to wipe the slate clean once more.

A calculated gamble was taken in appointing Arteta, with the former Arsenal captain boasting no prior experience of life in a top job.

He had been working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, with the former midfielder still only 38 years of age.

A sizeable rebuilding project was taken on at Arsenal, with a Premier League heavyweight rocking on the back of some heavy blows.

Arteta has set about restoring order, making a number of big calls along the way – such as that to omit Mesut Ozil from his plans – and is considered to be offering cause for optimism.

Adams is among those to have been encouraged by the first year of a promising reign at the Emirates, with the legendary ex-Gunners captain backing the current regime to recapture former glories.

He told Stadium Astro on the back of a 1-0 victory over Manchester United that saw Arsenal end their away-day hoodoo against fellow members of the so-called ‘Big Six’: “He [Arteta] has got fantastic ability to work with this team.

“He puts hours into the training pitch. He’s his own man, if Ozil’s not in his thinking, he’s out, it’s as simple as that. I can’t speak highly enough of the guy.

“The words coming out [of the club], when I talk to my mate Steve Bould, who’s still in the club taking the Under-23s at the moment, he said to me: ‘This guy has got it all, he’s the governor’.

“He’s the best he’s seen in a long time. He really does understand the game, he expresses himself; he’s very confident.

“It’s his first job, for God’s sake, he’s doing a remarkable, remarkable job.”

Arsenal will be back in Europa League action on Thursday at home to Molde and will enter the next international break after playing host to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

Jude Bellingham says Manchester United were never an option that he seriously considered when weighing up his future options, with the 17-year-old midfielder delighted to be at Borussia Dortmund.

After bursting onto the scene at Birmingham, sending records tumbling along the way, the talented teenager became one of the most sought-after young talents in European football.

His obvious potential registered on recruitment radars across Europe, with it quickly becoming clear that he would not be sticking around at St Andrew’s.

Premier League giants United identified Bellingham as a top transfer target, with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Eric Cantona sent on a charm offensive.

The Red Devils were to be left empty-handed, though, a matter of months after seeing Dortmund beat them to the signing of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, with the hottest of prospects opting to head for Germany.

Explaining that decision, Bellingham told The Telegraph: “Well, you know, Man United have a great squad but my decision had nothing to do with Man United.

“I was so focused and so happy with the interest from Dortmund that this became my first choice.

“For me, it was Borussia Dortmund and that’s it. When you find somewhere that’s the best place to be, you kind of ignore everything else, you know what I mean?”

The opportunity to form part of an exciting young squad in Dortmund helped to influence Bellingham’s decision, with fellow countryman Jadon Sancho one of several star turns to have seen their stock soar with BVB.

“I didn’t really speak to Jadon,” Bellingham added.

“I sort of spoke to him through other people. I would mention something and they would say, ‘Jadon thought the same about this or that.’

“I’ve said before how big of an example Jadon is for someone English and my age. We’re all trying to play but, specifically, we’re trying to make that next step into Europe’s elite.

“I think Jadon has done that perfectly and he was a massive factor in looking at his journey. Hopefully, I can mirror it.”

Bellingham is very much his own man and remains unfazed by the furore he continues to generate, with the Dortmund starlet now the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League game and to represent his country at U21 level.

“I never look at the records beforehand. If it happens, it happens,” he added.

“As soon as I’ve got one it’s always about looking forward to the next one. I’d never search for a record I could beat or adjust my game [for it].”

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has rejected claims from Roy Keane suggesting that the Red Devils lack leadership within their ranks.

A skipper from the club’s illustrious past has taken a dim view on current struggles for consistency.

Keane has never been one to shy away from offering an opinion and has been left less than impressed by what he has seen from United of late.

A new low was hit when suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal last time out, with Keane telling Sky Sports that the Red Devils are missing the character required to break themselves out of a rut.

He said: "You're playing at United because you're expected to break these teams down, you’re expected to run back, you're expected to roll your sleeves up. That’s what characters at Manchester United are about.

"I don’t see men out there. I don’t see guys you want to be in the trenches with, guys you trust. Alex Ferguson always used to make the point that you need courage to be a Manchester United player - wanting the ball when you don’t really want it.

"Bravery doesn’t necessarily mean nailing somebody. Bravery means wanting possession, fans on your back, courage to pass the ball forward. We saw United players taking the easy option. They have to do better."

Maguire insists that Keane has got his assessment of United’s class of 2020-21 wrong, with the England international adamant that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boasts both ability and leadership within his squad.

The Red Devils skipper told reporters: “I haven’t seen his comments. We don’t look at what’s happening, especially after a negative result, we don’t bring the negativity into the place, we stay positive.

“I can say for sure there’s a lot of leaders in this squad, I’m the captain and I have a lot of leadership around me with staff and players, so no. There’s a lot of leaders in the squad.”

United boss Solskjaer also sought to shrug off the contentious comments of his former team-mate.

He said: "Roy has always been outspoken and I'm very glad I have the players we've got here, we've got different jobs and Roy’s job is to give his opinion and I always listen to Roy but we always move on here with a great group of players, a strong group of players, and I'm sure we'll see a response."

Further criticism can be avoided by the Red Devils if they are able to play their way into form.

A Champions League clash with Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday will present them with an opportunity to claim a third successive win in that competition, and Maguire believes a corner will be turned.

He said: “The main thing is working hard, trying to improve.

“Coming into training each day, trying to improve. We want to be consistent. Last season when we found consistency we achieved third in the Premier League and Champions League football.

“We started off not in the best shape this season. We have worked hard since we came back from international break and since then we have been really good.

“We have conceded two own goals and a soft penalty. We are on the right track but we need to get the right balance.”

Former Orlando Pirates defender Edward Motale believes Josef Zinnbauer’s absence is “not a train smash” saying the Soweto giants will be in capable hands under assistant coach Fadlu Davids and the rest of the technical team.

It is not yet known for how long Zinnbauer will be away after he was allowed to travel to Germany to visit his son who is in critical condition following his involvement in a motor vehicle accident.

Davids will be in charge of the team until his boss is back and will start his caretaker role away at Bloemfontein Celtic in Wednesday’s Premier Soccer League clash.

With Davids’ coaching pedigree having been previously tested while he was at Maritzburg United, Motale says there should never be any worries about Zinnbauer’s absence.

“I think they got two assistants [Davids and Franck Plaine, the fitness trainer]. That’s where they need to come out and motivate the guys now,” Motale told Sowetan Live.

“I don’t think it is a train smash if the coach won’t be available now. We have energy on the bench. I don’t see it as a problem. I’m not panicking because it is not like the whole technical team left. We still have people who are working with him, and they must do their job. It is time to show us why they are there. The coach is gone for a while, so they must show us [that they are capable].”

Zinnbauer arrives in Germany to find another lockdown having just been imposed due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

A ban on international travel could see him locked up in his home country, prolonging his absence due to challenges in returning to Johannesburg.

“It maybe he is not coming back until the lockdown is finished or whatever,” said Motale.

“We don’t have to fold arms and say the coach is gone, no, the people who are available now must take charge of the team and make sure they continue where the coach left off until he is back.”

Davids takes temporary reigns of a side yet to win in the league so far this season following 1-1 draws against AmaZulu and Stellenbosch.

He would be tasked to steer Pirates to a better position on the PSL log and replicate their MTN8 form which includes beating Kaizer Chiefs 3-0.

Zinnbauer’s travelling to German coincided with the departure of Michael Loftman who was Pirates’ first team analyst.

Comoros head coach Amir Abdou has named his 23-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier double-header against Harambee Stars scheduled for November.

Among those included in the team is defender Bendjaloud Youssouf of Le Mans, midfielder Mohamed Youssef of AC Ajaccio, and his clubmate Faiz Mattoir. Eyes will also be on striker El Fardou Ben Mohamed who turns out for Red Star Belgrade.

Les Coelacantes started their campaign in Group G with an important 1-0 win away to Togo. Faiz Selemani scored the only goal in the 50th minute to hand his team maximum points.

They followed it up with a 0-0 draw at home to Egypt to take their points tally to four.

They are playing Kenya who started off with a 1-1 draw away to Egypt before registering identical results at home to Togo. 

While Comoros have not been involved in any international game since then, Harambee Stars have played several matches including an October 9 international friendly at Nyayo Stadium where they won 2-1.

Under former coach Francis Kimanzi, Cliff Nyakeya's strike and an own goal by Tandi Mwape handed the East Africa nation victory while a late goal by Emmanuel Chabula denied the hosts a home clean sheet. 

The first leg will be staged at Kasarani in Nairobi on November 11 with the second one scheduled for November 15 in Moroni, Comoros. Either side will be guaranteed to play in the competition to be held in Cameroon with maximum points from both games. 

Goalkeepers: Salim Ben Boina (FC Martigues), Ali Ahamada (SK Brann)

Defenders: Kassim Abdallah (Athletico Marseille), Abdallah Ahmed Mohammed (SV Zulte Waregem), Chaker Alhadhur (Chateaurox), Ahmed Soilihi (Quievily Rouen), Nadjim Abdou (FC Martigues), Kassim Mdahoma (Lyon SC), Bendjaloud Youssouf (Le Mans)

Midfielders: Youssuf Mchangama (EA Guigamp), Rafidine Abdullah (Stade Lausanne Ouchy), Ibrahim Madi (Martigues), Yacine Bourhane (Niort), Nasser Chamad (Gaz Metan), Mohamed Youssef (AC Ajaccio), Said Bakari (RKC Waalwjik)

Forwards: Faiz Selemani (KV Courtrai), Ibroihim Youssuf (Club Volcano), Nakibou Aboubakari (Stade Briochin), Ali Mmadi (Tours FC), Ahmed Mogni (FC Annecy), Faiz Mattoir (AC Ajaccio), El Fardou Ben Mohamed (Red Star Belgrade)

James Rodriguez’s languid style has earned the Colombian comparisons to Brazil legend Ronaldo, with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti claiming to see similarities between the pair.

The Toffees moved to snap up a South American superstar during the summer transfer window.

With James struggling for game time at Real Madrid, a reunion was put in place with former Blancos boss Ancelotti at Goodison Park.

That deal was considered to be quite a coup for the Merseyside outfit, with Everton proving that they can compete for the finest talent available in any given market.

James has made a bright start to his time in England, with three goals and four assists recorded through seven appearances.

The 29-year-old has shown that you do not need to be full of running in order to thrive in the Premier League, with guile as important as graft in the modern era.

Those at the very top of the world game have been proving that for years, with Ancelotti admitting that James’ laid-back approach reminds him of World Cup-winning frontman Ronaldo.

The Italian told France Football: “When I signed James this summer, everyone was worried about his physical state and to see how he’d cope with the intensity of the Premier League.

“During the first four games, do you know how many times he sprinted? Seven! He’s got more assists and goals than he did sprints.

“So what are we talking about? Of what we expect a player to do on the pitch?

“When I was at Milan, we brought in Ronaldo. On his arrival, he weighed 100kg.

“Before the first game, I told him: ‘You know I can’t play you. You need to lose weight’. He replied ‘What do you want me to do on the pitch? Score or run? If it’s to run, put me on the bench, if it’s to score, play me!’.

“I played him. He didn’t run, but he scored two goals. For James, it’s the same thing.”

James sat out Everton’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday as he was offered an opportunity to recharge his batteries.

He has been nursing a slight knock since an eventful Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool on October 17, but could come back into contention when the Toffees take in a home date with Manchester United on Saturday.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has been slammed by former Spain star Joaquin once again, with the Real Betis icon saying he would not appoint the Dutchman as kitman if handed the reins of any given club.

Bad blood between an outspoken winger and divisive coach has existed for some time.

Joaquin, for all of his obvious quality, endured a forgettable spell working under Koeman during his time at Valencia.

The 39-year-old is still going strong back at Betis, with a trip to Camp Nou next on the agenda for him, but he is not about to forgive and forget when it comes to grievances from his past.

Joaquin butted heads with Koeman on a regular basis during his spell at Mestalla and is still irked by events that happened outside of his control.

“It was not the most beautiful experience of my sporting career,” Joaquin told El Larguero.

“It was not a pleasant experience, but as I always say: one has to live with everything and what happened at that time. 

“I do not want to talk about this issue because honestly it hurts me what happened there, I had a bad time.”

Koeman spent less than six months in the hot seat at Valencia, with the Liga giants quickly disposing of his services.

He has gone on to spend time with AZ, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton and the Netherlands national team before returning to familiar surroundings in Catalunya.

Joaquin is baffled as to how Koeman has landed such a high-profile post at Barca, with the Spaniard admitting that he would never consider hiring the Dutchman if he were ever to become president at Betis.

“Not even as kitman!” was Joaquin’s blunt response when the question was put to him.

The two men will, however, see their respective paths cross in La Liga on Saturday.

Barca have been struggling to find a spark of late, while Betis are also finding consistency hard to come by, and Joaquin says both he and Koeman will have more pressing concerns this weekend than trying to rebuild bridges that were burned a long time ago.

He added: “I turned the page, we told each other everything.

“Fortunately, it did not last long and we were able to save the year by ending as well as possible because the year was complicated.

“[This weekend], he is not going to greet me and I am not going to greet him.”

Geoffrey Kondogbia has completed a €10 million move to Atletico Madrid from Valencia on Tuesday morning, replacing Thomas Partey in Diego Simeone's squad.

Goal confirmed the final fee over the weekend, with Kondogbia committing his future to Atletico through to 2024 after reaching an agreement to depart Valencia.

Los Rojiblancos were given special permission to sign the 27-year-old after seeing Partey join Arsenal for €50 million (£45m/$59m) on deadline day, with La Liga setting a November 5 deadline for Simeone to bring in a player to fill the Ghana international's boots.

Atletico announced Kondogbia's arrival via an official statement on their website, which reads: "Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Geoffrey Kondogbia who will play for our club for the remainder of the year and three more seasons.

"A talented player arrives at Atletico Madrid, with great physical power that makes him rule the centre of the field.

"His good ball stealing also makes him stand out when it comes to intercepting opponent's attacking plays, making him a very complete midfielder both for defensive tasks and for cutting-edge work when mounting counter-attacks. 

"Thus, we welcome a player who joins our project with the greatest enthusiasm."

Atletico have benefitted from La Liga's rule which allows any club that sees a player leave after having their release clause triggered to sign a replacement from Spain within a four-week period.

Kondogbia was heavily linked with a move away from Valencia during the summer transfer window, with Tottenham among a long list of clubs reportedly interested in his services, as the Spanish club sought to balance their books by selling a number of first-team stars.

The Central African Republic international has now followed the likes of Dani Parejo, Ferran Torres and Rodrigo out of the Mestalla exits, bringing to an end his three-year spell with the club.

Atletico's newest signing initially joined Valencia on loan from Inter in 2017, before earning a permanent move the following year.

Kondogbia went on to appear in 104 games in all competitions for Valencia, but hit out at club president Anil Murthy for "destroying" the team earlier this month.

The former Inter midfielder joins an Atletico side currently sitting fourth in the Liga standings, and could be in line to make his debut when they take on Cadiz at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.