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Marcus Rashford was Manchester United's hero at the Parc des Princes once more as his late strike secured a 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Champions League Group H on Tuesday. 

England international Rashford drilled home a stoppage-time penalty as United claimed a 3-1 win at PSG in the second leg of the last 16 in 2018-19, ensuring they progressed to the quarter-finals on away goalsm and he proved pivotal again.

Just as they did on that occasion, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men scored first. Bruno Fernandes tucked home a re-taken penalty after Keylor Navas stepped off his line to save the midfielder's first attempt. 

Anthony Martial's own goal restored parity but Rashford returned to haunt PSG when he fired a fine finish into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box with three minutes remaining. 

David de Gea sprung to his right to keep Angel Di Maria at bay in the 12th minute and, from the resulting corner, only an instinctive block from the United goalkeeper stopped a stretching Layvin Kurzawa volleying home Kylian Mbappe's whipped cross.  

United soon settled and Abdou Diallo's needless lunge on Martial gave Fernandes the chance to equalise from the spot, which he did at the second attempt.  

Thomas Tuchel sent Moise Kean on and PSG were effectively playing in a 4-2-4 but, after De Gea denied Mbappe brilliantly and Kurzawa hit the bar with a cross, it was Martial's own goal that levelled matters.  

Navas tipped a low drive from Rashford wide in the 69th minute and he kept out the United attacker again with 10 minutes remaining. 

However, Rashford succeeded at the third attempt as his powerful low drive went in off the base of the post and United secured a deserved victory.

What does it mean? Solskjaer decisions pay off

United started with a back three and despite some early pressure they defended resolutely, limiting PSG to five shots on target – every one of which was saved by De Gea. After Martial gifted the hosts an equaliser, Solskjaer changed tact by sending Paul Pogba on for debutant Alex Telles and his team soon threatened regularly on the break.

With Rashford's winner, they became the first team to beat PSG at home more than once in the Champions League and handed last season's runners-up their first defeat in 25 group games in the competition at the Parc des Princes 

Persistent Rashford gets rewards

PSG left themselves exposed at the back by committing plenty of numbers forward but, despite being regularly put into promising situations, Rashford's execution was lacking – he only completed 13 passes in the opposition half. However, he did not let it burden him and was eventually rewarded. 

Neymar nowhere

Tuchel decided not to play Neymar in the Ligue 1 meeting with Nimes last Friday to give the forward a rest after the international break, but he failed to have a meaningful impact against United. He only had two touches in the opposition box and did not hit the target until the 83rd minute, while he only created one chance for a team-mate.  

Key Opta Facts

- Manchester United have scored nine own-goals in the Champions League, more than any other side. Martial is the second French player to an own-goal in the Champions League against French opposition, after Jeremy Mathieu for Barcelona versus PSG in April 2015.
- Since the start of last season, United have been awarded 27 penalties in all competitions, scoring 22 of them, both highs among sides in Europe’s big five leagues in that time. Fernandes' 11 converted from 12 since his debut in February also marks a continental high.
- During that period, Fernandes has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Premier League player with 27 (16 goals, 11 assists).
- Neymar has failed to score in four consecutive Champions League appearances for the first time since November 2013 -  his first five games in the competition.

What's next?

United have a Premier League meeting with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday, when PSG entertain Dijon in Ligue 1.

Ansu Fati has claimed yet another record with his strike for Barcelona in Tuesday's Champions League clash against Ferencvaros. 

Barca were looking for an instant return to form in their European opener after falling to a surprise loss on Saturday at the hands of Getafe in La Liga, and they could not have asked for a happier evening as the Hungarian side were put to the sword at Camp Nou. 

Lionel Messi struck first for his side after 27 minutes, converting from the penalty spot after being felled himself in the area to curtail a typically explosive dribble. 

The stage was then set for Fati to shine, with the 17-year-old doubling his side's lead just before the half-time whistle. 

While Fati did not manage perfect contact on the volley from Frenkie de Jong's cross, it was good enough to wrong-foot Ferencvaros goalkeeper Denes Dibusz and put Barca 2-0 ahead. 

As well as establishing a comfortable cushion for Ronald Koeman's charges, the strike also claimed a new record for the youngster. 

It was his second goal in the Champions League for Barcelona, making him the first ever player under the age of 18 to score more than once in the European competition. 

His maiden strike came in the 2019-20 edition, when he netted what proved to be the Catalans' winner in a 2-1 defeat of Inter in December 2019.

Since making his debut in August last year Fati has collected an astonishing number of records. He now stands as Barcelona's second-youngest debutant and goalscorer in La Liga and the youngest player to do either in the Champions League for the club, as well as holding the distinction of being the youngest player ever to score twice in a Liga match for any club. 

At international level too he has made his presence felt, in September breaking a mark that had stood for 95 years to become Spain's youngest goalscorer when he netted against Ukraine. 

Following his goal, Fati turned provider with a neat backheel to play in Philippe Coutinho for Barca's third of the evening against Ferencvaros. 

A red card for Gerard Pique and subsequent penalty for the Hungarians, converted by Igor Kharatin, reduced the deficit to 3-1, leaving the 10-man hosts to see out the final minutes at a numerical disadvantage.

That did not seem to slow them down, though, with another 17-year-old later finding his name on the scoresheet. 

The new signing from Las Palmas made it 4-1 after coming off the bench for Fati - one month his senior - making further history as the pair became the first U-18s to both score in a single Champions League match, while Ousmane Dembele added a fifth in the final minutes to complete the rout for Barca.

Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry will be forced to miss the first match of his side's Champions League defence after returning a positive test for coronavirus. 

Gnabry started for Bayern at the weekend, playing just over an hour of their 4-1 Bundesliga thrashing of Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday. 

But the 25-year-old subsequently tested positive for the pandemic disease and will not be available for the Bavarians' Champions League Group A clash at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. 

"Serge Gnabry, 25, has tested positive for Covid-19," Bayern confirmed in a statement published on the club's official website. 

"The FC Bayern attacker is otherwise in good health and is self-isolating at home."

As well as the reigning German and European champions and Atletico, Group A is completed by Red Bull Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow, who also face off on Wednesday. 

Bayern next travel to Moscow on October 27 for their second clash away to Lokomotiv. 

Gnabry is likely to also miss that match as he waits for the virus to leave his system, as well as his club's weekend Bundesliga match at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. 

The former Arsenal youngster enjoyed a sparkling 2019-20 season at the Allianz Arena, his second since leaving the Gunners in the summer of 2018 after failing to break into the English side's first-team ranks. 

Gnabry hit 23 goals in 46 games in all competitions to record the best campaign of his career. 

The Germany international saved some of his best performances for the Champions League, particularly in the latter stages of the competition when it restarted in August due to the pandemic. 

He scored Bayern's third in their infamous 8-2 quarter-final humiliation of Barcelona and followed that up with a double to down Lyon in the next round, taking his total European tally for the season to an impressive nine. 

Only team-mate Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland outscored Gnabry in last year's tournament, with 15 and 10 goals respectively.

Andrea Pirlo claimed his first Champions League win as Juventus coach as Alvaro Morata's second-half double secured a 2-0 victory at Dynamo Kiev.

Juve have made an unconvincing start to life under the legendary former midfielder and are four points behind Serie A leaders Milan after four games. 

They were held to a 1-1 draw Crotone last time out but there was rarely any sign of a slip-up in their Group G opener, in which the Bianconeri, still without Cristiano Ronaldo, found little resistance from their hosts. 

Morata, on target at the weekend, earned the three points with a simple finish in the first minute of the second half and a header six minutes from time, with the only blot on Juve's performance an injury to captain Giorgio Chiellini.

Federico Chiesa was Juve's most dangerous player throughout the first half and his arrowing strike drew Georgi Bushchan into an impressive diving save in the 12th minute.

Bushchan misjudged a corner soon after but Chiellini was unable to take advantage, drifting his header wide of the unguarded net.

Chiellini's evening was brought to a premature end when he limped off to be replaced by Merih Demiral, though Juve's rhythm was unaffected by that setback.

Indeed, Dynamo were grateful to Bushchan for maintaining parity 11 minutes before the interval as he kept out Dejan Kulusevski's flicked close-range finish after good work from Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey and Kulusevski combined as Morata gave Juve the lead they deserved 49 seconds into the second half.

The former Real Madrid forward tapped in from point-blank range after Bushchan failed to handle Kulusevski's effort following neat build-up play from Ramsey.

Dynamo did attack with more energy in the closing stages but a scarcely deserved equaliser was not forthcoming and Morata made the game safe with a fine header from Juan Cuadrado's right-wing cross.

What does it mean? Pirlo defeats former boss Lucescu

In facing Dynamo, Pirlo was going up against the coach who gave him his professional debut as a player at Brescia, Mircea Lucescu.

Lucescu became the oldest coach to take charge of a match in this competition, aged 75 years and 83 days, but despite all that experience his side never looked like causing an upset, with Barcelona sure to provide sterner European opposition next week.

Ramsey helps ensure Ronaldo is not missed

Ronaldo is still self-isolating after returning a positive test for COVID-19 but his influence was not required as Ramsey played a significant role in helping Juve dictate matters.

The former Arsenal midfielder provided three key passes, including a critical one for Kulusevski in the lead-up to the opening goal.

Dynamo anything but dynamic

A long trip east to face a team enjoying what is nowadays a rare benefit of having home fans in the stands promised to make it a tough evening for Juve.

That never materialised as Dynamo offered precious little as an attacking force and, after producing two shots on target in the first half, did not have another until the 75th minute.

The fact forward Vladyslav Supriaha managed just 19 touches, having played the whole match, underlines the struggles the hosts had up top.

What's next?

Juve return to Serie A action with a home game against Hellas Verona. Dynamo host Oleksandriya in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Edouard Mendy has been handed his Champions League debut as Chelsea face Sevilla on Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old joined the Stamford Bridge giants from Rennes for £22 million ($29m), as Kepa Arrizabalaga has been struggling to live up to expectations being the most expensive goalkeeper in world football.

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mendy will now be in goal against Julen Lopetegui’s men with Ben Chilwell, Kurt Zouma, Thiago Silva and Reece James forming the backline.

He recorded a clean slate in his maiden game for the Blues as they ran out 4-0 winners over Crystal Palace in a Premier League outing.

With another inspiring display against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur in the English League Cup, there have been calls for Mendy to take Kepa's spot as Chelsea’s No.1 on a permanent basis.

After a lethargic 3-3 display against Southampton over the weekend, Frank Lampard’s men would be hoping to commence their 2020-21 campaign in Europe’s elite club tournament on a winning note.

Elsewhere, Morocco international Hakim Ziyech is listed among the substitutes in the Group E showdown.

For Los Nervionenses, Morocco’s Bono will be in goal for the Spanish elite division side, while his compatriot Youssef En-Nesyri is among the named substitutes.

Ghana coach Ben Fokuo has stated his outfit are not surprised to have drawn arch-rivals Nigeria for the upcoming Wafu B Cup of Nations.

The Black Starlets have been paired against their familiar foes who eliminated them from the 2017 championship in Togo.

That loss also denied the Black Starlets qualification for the 2017 Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

Cote d'Ivoire are also in Ghana's group for this year's event.

"We have been preparing for every situation because we already know our neighbouring countries and the teams in the zone," Fokuo told the Ghana Football Association's official website.

"We knew we will get to face Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and the rest.

“We are always prepared for every match because we know the strength of Nigeria and Ivory Coast. We are preparing and looking forward to our first match."

Fokuo and his team have been in camp since last month, resuming training after the coronavirus outbreak scuppered their activities in March.

“The players are coping, we all know with the youth side they get to learn a lot of new things when they are in the national team's camp," said the coach.

"Since we resumed camp, we’ve ensured that we take them through various sessions to improve their fitness and technical skills."

“We are working on conditioning and tactical play and after some few weeks, I can say they are coping well.

“We have also played some friendly matches and they are picking up gradually.

"Now that we are fully aware who we will play at the group stage, we will continue to get to the players to the required standard before the tournament."

The upcoming Wafu B Cup will serve as qualifiers for the 2021 U17 Afcon in Morocco, where the four quarter-finalists will earn tickets for the 2021 U17 World Cup.

Only the Wafu B winners will get the nod to play at the African championship in Morocco.

Ghana's last Afcon appearance came in 2017 when they finished second behind Mali. 

Their performance in Gabon was rewarded with a World Cup ticket, the Black Starlets reaching the quarter-final.

Gini Wijnaldum has slammed Jordan Pickford for the “completely stupid” tackle which left Virgil van Dijk sidelined for months with a knee injury.

The Liverpool midfielder believes the Everton goalkeeper’s challenge was “unacceptable” and suggested it was part of an ongoing theme in which Everton “take it way too far” with their tackles in Merseyside derbies.

Van Dijk could miss the rest of the season after suffering damage to his anterior cruciate ligament following Pickford’s wild lunge in the early stages of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park. 

His absence will hit Liverpool hard, and on Tuesday afternoon Wijnaldum was in no mood to mince his words at a press conference to preview his side’s Champions League clash with Ajax. 

He said: “First of all, we are all still devastated. I think it’s different than normal. The way it happened was really hard for us and I think everyone still has a really bad feeling about it.

“When we were speaking with the lads after Saturday, I think none of the players slept after what happened with Virgil, because of the way it happened. It’s a really hard one to take for me, and also for the team.

“Of course we were upset. The way Pickford went in on the challenge, in my opinion, was completely stupid. I believe that he didn’t want to injure Virgil the way he did, but the way he took the tackle was that he didn’t care about what happened after the tackle.

“I think we had it a lot in games against Everton. In my opinion, they take it way too far in the games we play against them. We know it’s a derby and everyone wants to win but sometimes you go over the top. It was too much.

“It was not only his tackle. If you talk about the tackle of Richarlison on Thiago, it was also a nasty one. That’s what bothers me the most and I think most of the other players. 

“Accidents can always happen in football. You can be unlucky with a tackle and injure someone but the way they were doing it was completely unacceptable.

“It makes it harder that they don’t get punished. In this case Pickford after seeing the videos.”

On how Liverpool will deal with Van Dijk’s absence going forward, Wijnaldum added: "Virgil is a really important player in our team - he has showed that since he came in. He had big performances. He is important on and off the pitch.

"He is a leader in the team. Since he came in we had really good results. It's up to us to show that we can still put in good performances without Virgil. We have to."

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC have confirmed the contract extension of custodian Fabien Mutombora ahead of the new season.

The Venoms have opted to strengthen their defence in preparations for the busy 2020/21 campaign and it is the reason why they have chosen to retain most of their key players.

"Vipers Sports Club is delighted to announce goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora has signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at St. Mary’s stadium until 2023," the club confirmed on their official portal.

"The 22-year-old has become a key figure in the team since arriving from Burundi’s outfit Lydia Ludic Académic FC in August 2018."

The youngster has revealed his delight after extending his stay at the Kitende-based charges. 

"I am really pleased to commit my future to Vipers SC and it's great the club has put their faith in me," Mutombora said after sealing a new deal with the UPL champions.

"I have achieved what I have achieved here, and I hope I can keep on learning, helping the team, and lifting trophies over the next three years."

Apart from the league, the custodian helped his team to lift the Super 8 cup as well.  

Vipers SC midfielder Karim Watambala has declared his readiness to fight complacency and ensure he remains a key figure for the Ugandan Premier League champions.

The midfielder is still a student at St Mary’s Secondary School and made his senior debut last season when the club fetched their fourth league title.

"Last season was a tough one as I was treading in new waters," Watambala said earlier on.

"At a new stage with so many people of different characters, I endured several challenges. But at the end of the day, my experience was enriched and I learned many lessons.

"I had a strong starting point to my senior career and I intend to keep going stronger step by step. I enjoyed playing each game.

"The coaches trusted me while I freely showcased my abilities. This made me fit well into the team and now, I want to do more and more.

"Ambition is lost without competition. I think you cannot play without being challenged. It is one of the reasons that I am a better player and I always look to work harder and avoid complacency."

Two years on from Der Spiegel leaking documents that included plans for major European clubs forming a breakaway league starting from 2021, fresh rumours of a new iteration - titled the European Premier League - have surfaced.

Goal has what you need to know about the competition, which is still in the works, as well as which clubs could potentially be involved, how it would affect the Champions League and Premier League, and more.

Contents

What is the European Premier League?

The European Premier League is a proposed top-level competition that will involve a host of the biggest clubs from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

A Sky News report stated that a £4.6 billion ($6bn) package is being put together from Wall Street bank JP Morgan to see the creation of this new league, which would effectively replace the Champions League.

While no official statements have been made regarding this new competition, plans to form a European Super League had been in the works for years, and the European Premier League would be a rebrand of that concept.

A version of the European Super League's rules are likely to be the basis of the proposed European Premier League.

It would not replace the Premier League, but it could be the end of the current iteration of the Champions League as we know it - and would undoubtedly reshape the football landscape.

European Premier League fixtures would take place during the regular club season should the tournament be given the green light.

The Sky News report states that it will be played in a round-robin style with home and away fixtures, similar to how the Champions League is currently being played.

The teams who finish highest in the European Premier League rankings would then qualify for a knockout mini-tournament finale that will decide the new European champions, with the promise of extremely lucrative prize money packages.

What is the European Super League? Format, teams and all you need to know

Which teams could be involved in the European Premier League?

The European Premier League is likely to feature either 16 or 18 teams, with clubs then playing a minimum of 30 matches over the course of a season.

At least five clubs from the Premier League could be named as European Premier League participants, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham said to have been approached.

North-west giants Liverpool and Man Utd were already involved in the 'Project Big Picture' proposal, though it was voted against by the other 18 Premier League clubs.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have reportedly been approached with an invitation to play in the European Premier League, although no official contracts have been penned.

Real Madrid - as well as club president Florentino Perez - are understood to have been heavily involved in plans to create the European Premier League, alongside the big guns of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Bayern Munich.

However, despite being cited in documents regarding the new league, Bayern denied involvement in the 2018 plans.

When could the European Premier League start?

A date of 2022 has been tentatively planned for the start of the European Premier League.

How could the European Premier League affect the Champions League and English Premier League?

The European Premier League would not replace the Premier League, but its fixtures would replace the Champions League fixture dates, meaning that the Champions League would be without a host of their star names - with this new competition becoming the showpiece European knockout competition.

European Premier League matches would be played in addition to English Premier League and other European domestic top-flight games.

The European Premier League would not end clubs' involvement in domestic leagues, but even so, the financial ramifications would be extremely severe - especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the European Premier League could be treated as a priority over each clubs' respective domestic leagues which would affect broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals.

The Sky News report states that should the European Premier League receive UEFA support, it would be branded as an enhanced, improved version of the Champions League, but if UEFA were not to give it their backing, it would be a move by FIFA that would "undermine" the European governing body.

Legal challenges by UEFA will act as an obstacle should they not cooperate, particularly with the Champions League set for a revamp by 2024.

A number of football figures have already voiced their disapproval of the new proposed plans.

Former Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher said on Twitter: "Oh f*** off."

Stan Collymore added on his own Twitter: "If any English club joins a European Super League, then they should never be allowed back, ostracised completely and fam (sic) groups, real fan groups of those clubs stand up to condemn their club. F*ck them off and remind them where their bread was buttered for 100+ years."

Gary Neville also joined in with his dissatisfaction, quoting the original story with the caption: "Independent Regulator Anyone?"

The Football Supporters' Association has hit out at reports of a renewed push for a European Premier League, saying that fans "detest" the idea.

Sky News reported on Tuesday that a £4.6 billion ($6bn) package is being assembled by Wall Street bank JP Morgan to fund the creation of a competition which will see teams from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain form a new league.

Liverpool and Manchester United are said to be two of the teams backing the competition, which could start as early as 2022.

In a statement on Twitter, the FSA said of the plan: "Seriously, if you’re a club owner or football financier who thinks a global health crisis is the perfect opportunity to rip up and reshape football to suit billionaires... you have no idea how much fans detest your concept. It will not go how you think."

The FSA also released a statement on their website from chief executive Kevin Miles.

“The latest reports of plots, allegedly involving Manchester United and Liverpool, to create a European Super League, expose the myth that billionaire owners care about the English football pyramid, or indeed anything other than their own greed," Miles said.

“This has to be the last nail in the coffin of the idea that football can be relied upon to regulate itself: these billionaire owners are out of control. Football in all its forms in the UK, from grassroots to the top tier, occupies far too important a place in our society, our culture and our communities to be jeopardised by an even greater concentration of wealth in the hands of half a dozen big clubs.

“Decisive action is now needed to protect the game we love. We have already been promised by government a fan-led review of the governance and regulation of football: that process needs to start as a matter of urgency before the super-rich custodians of the biggest clubs can do any more damage.”

The news of the European Premier League plan follows the collapse of Project Big Picture, a plan to reshape the English game that was rejected by the Premier League and FA last week.

The FSA opposed Project Big Picture on similar grounds, saying the plan demonstrated the "insatiable greed" of the Premier League's billionaire owners.

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici insists that Paulo Dybala's continued absence from the Italians' first team owes to a lack of fitness. 

Dybala has been restricted to just a single Supercoppa appearance so far in 2020-21, and was sent home early from Argentina's World Cup qualifying matches without participating in either game due to a stomach problem. 

Upon returning to Juve the forward found himself on the bench for their Serie A clash against Crotone, where he failed to enter the action despite his side being held 1-1. 

Reports in Italy subsequently claimed that Dybala confronted Paratici after the match, incensed that coach Andrea Pirlo had declined to bring him on as a substitute. 

The Argentine apparently demanded answers to why he is being left out in the cold, although Pirlo affirmed after the match that he was not ready to play against Crotone. 

"I talked to him [Dybala] yesterday as I do to everyone else. He was a bit angry for not having played in Crotone but we have to remember that he hasn't played for three months," Pirlo told reporters. "He spent 10 days in his room in Argentina taking medicines because he couldn't train. 

"I took him to Crotone to let him do a few minutes but unfortunately there were 10 of us left and I couldn't add him. He is available and we will see what to do.

"This was not the ideal game for him to pick up minutes." 

Dybala was once more left on the bench as Juve kick off their Champions League campaign away to Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday, a decision that Paratici argues is purely down to his physical condition. 

"Dybala is feeling better," the director explained to reporters ahead of the Group G opener. "He had an injury that kept him out for some weeks, then on International break spent 10 days in bed with antibiotics because he got an intestinal virus. So, he hasn't been able to train really at all." 

The Argentina international has been part of the Juventus set-up since moving from Palermo at the start of the 2015-16 season. He has played a total of 228 matches for the Old Lady, scoring on 95 occasions. 

Phil Jones and Sergio Romero have both been omitted from Manchester United's 25-man Premier League squad.

The Red Devils released their list on Tuesday and there was no room for the English defender or the Argentine goalkeeper, who appears to have dropped to fourth choice at Old Trafford after Lee Grant was included in the squad.

There was room in the squad for Marcos Rojo, who has returned to Old Trafford following his loan move in his native Argentina with Estudiantes.

Rojo was dropped from United's Champions League squad, which was announced earlier this month, along with Jones and Romero. 

Romero's relationship with the club has soured following Dean Henderson's return to Old Trafford after his loan spell at Sheffield United last season.

Henderson's return has pushed Romero down the pecking order at goalkeeper and the Argentina international desperately wanted a switch away from United on deadline day earlier this month. 

A proposed move to Everton fell through, however, and Romero's wife took to social media to hit out at Man Utd after that transfer collapsed.

"Sergio Romero worked hard for his club," Eliana Guercio wrote. "Last trophy they won, they lifted it with him. He helped the team [reach] 4 finals/semifinals, and then he was left on the bench only to lose them all. It is time to return the opportunity and let him go. RESPECT FOR ONCE."

Jones, meanwhile, has yet to make a matchday squad for United this season after falling out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away after he made only two Premier League matchday squads last season.

United's 25-man squad does not include players under the age of 21, while each Premier League club can register a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players.

MAIN LIST: Eric Bailly, Edinson Cavani, David De Gea (GK), Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Odion Ighalo, Victor Lindelof, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Marcos Rojo, Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek

HOMEGROWN LIST: Tim Fosu-Mensah, Lee Grant (GK), Dean Henderson (GK), Daniel James, Jesse Lingard, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka

UNDER-21 LIST (includes): Mason Greenwood, Teden Mengi, Facundo Pellistri, Brandon Williams

La Liga president Javier Tebas has dismissed the prospect of a breakaway European Premier League, stating that such a proposal is a product of "ignorance".

According to reports that began to circulate on Tuesday, the prospective competition is backed by Wall Street giants JP Morgan as well as English clubs Liverpool and Manchester United and could come into being as soon as 2022. 

The EPL would bring together Europe's top clubs in a single tournament, which would ultimately replace the Champions League as the continent's top club prize. 

Tebas, however, is strongly against any such move while seriously doubting that the project is even a real possibility. 

"The authors of this idea, if they really exist because there is nobody actually defending it, not only show total ignorance of the organisation and customs of European and world football, but also a serious ignorance of the audiovisual rights markets," he explained to ESPN when asked about the reported plans.

"A project of this type will mean serious economic damage to the organisers themselves and to those entities that finance it, if they exist, because they're never official. These 'underground' projects only look good when drafted at a bar at 5 in the morning."

Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has also registered vehement opposition to the plan, replying to reports by exclaiming, "Oh, f*** off" on Twitter. 

Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who has lent his support to a group campaigning for greater transparency in English football, agrees with his former rival on the pitch that the proposed league would be a huge error. 

 "The big issue that I have with it, is that at this moment in time, in the middle of a pandemic and when football is on its knees at so many different levels, the idea that a $6bn package is being put together to set up a new league when lower clubs are scrambling around to pay wages and stay in existence," he told Sky Sports. 

"It's another wound for football. It doesn't feel like the right time to be talking about this.

"The leak probably doesn't suit Manchester United or Liverpool at this moment in time as they're seen as the big, bad bullies.

"There is a position, potentially, for a new European League and for an amazing Premier League, a fantastically competitive EFL and funded grassroots and non-league football. There is enough money.

"If they can pull $6bn together for a European league then they can pull together £150-200m to save the rest of football in this country. There is enough wealth in the game to look after all the key stakeholders.

"It's almost a tap-in for Manchester United, Liverpool and others to be able to say: 'There's £10m for non-league, there's a couple of hundred million rescue package for EFL clubs'. I don't get why we're not looking after the wider game, while having these discussions over $6bn debt packages with JP Morgan. It is obscene."

"I'm for progression of football, with new competitions and new formats, but we have got to look after the fabric of the game and what it means to the communities in this country."

Andrea Pirlo claimed his first Champions League win as Juventus coach as Alvaro Morata's second-half double secured a 2-0 victory at Dynamo Kiev.

Juve have made an unconvincing start to life under the legendary former midfielder and are four points behind Serie A leaders Milan after four games. 

They were held to a 1-1 draw Crotone last time out but there was rarely any sign of a slip-up in their Group G opener, in which the Bianconeri, still without Cristiano Ronaldo, found little resistance from their hosts. 

Morata, on target at the weekend, earned the three points with a simple finish in the first minute of the second half and a header six minutes from time, with the only blot on Juve's performance an injury to captain Giorgio Chiellini.

Federico Chiesa was Juve's most dangerous player throughout the first half and his arrowing strike drew Georgi Bushchan into an impressive diving save in the 12th minute.

Bushchan misjudged a corner soon after but Chiellini was unable to take advantage, drifting his header wide of the unguarded net.

Chiellini's evening was brought to a premature end when he limped off to be replaced by Merih Demiral, though Juve's rhythm was unaffected by that setback.

Indeed, Dynamo were grateful to Bushchan for maintaining parity 11 minutes before the interval as he kept out Dejan Kulusevski's flicked close-range finish after good work from Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey and Kulusevski combined as Morata gave Juve the lead they deserved 49 seconds into the second half.

The former Real Madrid forward tapped in from point-blank range after Bushchan failed to handle Kulusevski's effort following neat build-up play from Ramsey.

Dynamo did attack with more energy in the closing stages but a scarcely deserved equaliser was not forthcoming and Morata made the game safe with a fine header from Juan Cuadrado's right-wing cross.

What does it mean? Pirlo defeats former boss Lucescu

In facing Dynamo, Pirlo was going up against the coach who gave him his professional debut as a player at Brescia, Mircea Lucescu.

Lucescu became the oldest coach to take charge of a match in this competition, aged 75 years and 83 days, but despite all that experience his side never looked like causing an upset, with Barcelona sure to provide sterner European opposition next week.

Ramsey helps ensure Ronaldo is not missed

Ronaldo is still self-isolating after returning a positive test for COVID-19 but his influence was not required as Ramsey played a significant role in helping Juve dictate matters.

The former Arsenal midfielder provided three key passes, including a critical one for Kulusevski in the lead-up to the opening goal.

Dynamo anything but dynamic

A long trip east to face a team enjoying what is nowadays a rare benefit of having home fans in the stands promised to make it a tough evening for Juve.

That never materialised as Dynamo offered precious little as an attacking force and, after producing two shots on target in the first half, did not have another until the 75th minute.

The fact forward Vladyslav Supriaha managed just 19 touches, having played the whole match, underlines the struggles the hosts had up top.

What's next?

Juve return to Serie A action with a home game against Hellas Verona. Dynamo host Oleksandriya in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Barcelona should target Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko as the long-term successor to Lionel Messi, according to Samuel Eto’o.

The 15-year-old has been included in BVB’s Champions League squad this season, even though he isn’t eligible to feature in Europe’s premier club competition until he turns 16 on November 20.

Despite not yet making his senior debut for Dortmund, Moukoko is the player Barca should be targeting as they look for a long-term successor to 33-year-old Messi according to the Argentine's former teammate Eto’o, who was twice a Champions League winner during five years at Camp Nou.

“[There’s] a young player who plays for Dortmund called Youssoufa Moukoko,” Eto’o told Goal when asked who he’d love to see as Barcelona’s next big signing. “[He’s] 15 years of age, and he’s the next top player, for me, after Messi.

“As Messi gets older, we could prepare the future of Barcelona very well.”

Eto’o believes that Moukoko could form a dream post-Messi front three alongside France duo Antoine Griezmann and current Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe, who is another player he’d love to see move to the Camp Nou.

“With Antoine and Youssoufa [up front together], that team would go forward very well,” Eto’o concluded. “[I’d like to see] Kylian Mbappe at Barcelona also.”

Messi appeared close to an exit from Barcelona at one point this summer, having handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 season, which saw the Catalan heavyweights humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner ultimately opted to remain at the Camp Nou this term, despite reservations about the direction the club are heading in under Ronald Koeman.

Barca, who begin their Champions League campaign against Ferencvaros on Wednesday, are currently ninth in La Liga after four matches, having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.

German-Cameroonian forward Moukoko, who was ranked 44th in Goal’s NxGn 2020 list celebrating the 50 best wonderkids in football, is the youngest player to play and score in the Uefa Youth League.

He has already represented Germany at U-20 level, and has scored an eye-watering 134 goals in 86 appearances for Dortmund between U-17 and U-19 levels.

Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick thinks Alphonso Davies' form has "dropped" this season.

Davies took the footballing world by storm in 2019-20, developing into one of the world's best left-backs and helping Bayern capture the treble. 

The Canadian appears to be in a fight for his spot in the line-up this season though, as Lucas Hernandez started ahead of him in Saturday's 4-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld. Overall, Davies has made six appearances this season, four of which have been starts. 

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Bayern's Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, Flick said that Davies has yet not reached the standard he set last season.

"Alphonso's form dropped a bit," Flick said. "But he gets all our support. We benefit from his pace, his energy. It's important he gets back on track. It's a bit normal to see a young player go through such a spell following an incredible season. We will support and help him."

New Mamelodi Sundowns signing Kermit Erasmus says he is surrounded by “quality” players which makes it possible for him to smash records by scoring 30 Premier Soccer League (PSL) goals this season.

He arrived at Sundowns at the beginning of October, fresh from scoring 13 league goals last season which was his career-best in one campaign.

Most players have struggled to reach the 20-goal mark in the PSL era, but former Umtata Bush Bucks forward Wilfred Mugeyi managed 22 goals during the 1996/7 season, followed by Pollen Ndlanya’s 21 for Kaizer Chiefs in the 1998/99 campaign.

Then Collins Mbesuma struck 25 during the 2004/05 term, while Siyabonga Nomvete was the last one when he got 20, for Moroka Swallows in the 2011/12 season.

If Erasmus manages to score at least 25 goals, he would match Mbesuma’s tally which remains a record and surpassing that would see the Downs man making history.

“For me personally, [my wish] is to stay injury-free. That is the most important thing to me, if I can do that then I am sure we can achieve a lot as a team,” Erasmus told the Sundowns website.

“I also came here to win trophies, you know, compete with the best teams on the continent. I also want to break the record of being the top goalscorer by trying to score 30 goals. A lot of people might think I am in over my head but with the players around me here, it is possible.

“When I look at the quality of players that are around me, the likes of KK [Hlompho Kekana], [Andile] Jali, Mshishi Themba Zwane], George [Maluleka], [Gaston] Sirino, I believe that the goal of 20 to 30 goals is achievable, and if I can stay injury-free, then why not?”

Erasmus’ quest for his targeted haul of goals begins on Saturday when Downs visit Kaizer Chiefs in their opening 2020/21 PSL game.

He already featured in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat by Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8 quarter-finals after coming on as a second-half substitute, but the 30-year-old is already enjoying life at his new home.

“It has been great and I am enjoying the vibe amongst the squad, everyone is free-spirited and that is how I am. I know most players from the national team and from other previous teams and that makes it easier to get along. I am very excited and happy to be here,” said Erasmus.