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Tottenham Women aren’t sure exactly how long Alex Morgan will be at the club, but co-manager Juan Amoros says Spurs are "over the moon" to have her.

The U.S. national team star has arrived at Spurs on a one-year deal but, given the uncertainty surrounding the world at the moment, Amoros suggested this isn’t set in stone.

Nevertheless, he says Tottenham’s players are excited to start working with her – even those whose place in the team could be under threat.

Tottenham play Arsenal on Saturday night in an FA Cup quarter-final, and Morgan could be in line to make her first appearance in English football.

“At the moment the deal is for a season but there are other things in her life and we always prioritise the person,” Amoros said in a press conference.

“She’s recently become a Mum, which has a big impact on her and the family situation is a bit different and also the situation in America. Making long-term plans at the moment, for us, for the club and for everyone, it’s very difficult to know.

“At the moment, she’s here, that’s what really matters. She’s a Spurs Women player and we hope that she has a great time with us and she and scores a lot of goals for us.

“We can’t forget that she only landed last week and she’s been training with us for a week. As with everyone else she can be selected to play because all the paperwork has been done so I think we will have to wait almost until the last minute to know that.”

With two World Cups and an Olympic Gold Medal among the list of honours under her belt, Morgan arrives as one of the game’s biggest stars – and her new team-mates can’t wait to line up alongside her.

“From the moment we announced to the rest of the squad that she was signing, the players were so excited to play with her,” Amoros added.

“You always want to play with the best players in the world so when one of them is actually coming to your team, even the players that play in the same position were extremely excited.

“We've been here for so long and been developing this club for such a long period, that for us to have a period of that calibre – a World Cup winner, an Olympic Gold medallist – a few years back, that was only a dream.

“When we found out that she could be joining us, we were over the moon. It's obviously a no-brainer. When they ask if you want to sign Alex Morgan, obviously the answer is yes.”

Diego Godin has joined Cagliari on a three-year contract after completing a free transfer from Inter.

Godin was officially unveiled at Sardegna Arena on Thursday night, having committed his future to the club through to 2023.

The 34-year-old leaves Inter after just one full season, during which he made 36 appearances for Antonio Conte's side across all competitions, scoring twice.

Godin, who moved to San Siro on a free transfer after leaving Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, helped the Nerazzurri finish second in Serie A and reach the Europa League final, forging a formidable partnership in the heart of the defence alongside Milan Skriniar.

He will now be tasked with helping Cagliari break into the top half of the table in the Italian top flight, with the club announcing his arrival via a lengthy statement on their official website.

"Cagliari Calcio are pleased to announce the signing of Diego Godin: the great defender from Uruguay joins Cagliari on a permanent deal until June 30th, 2023," the statement reads.

"Strong leadership qualities, overwhelming charisma: with Godin Cagliari acquires a player of absolute international level, one of the strongest central defenders, outstanding in the air, best known for his ability to tackle and anticipate opposition movements, and for marshalling the defence.

"Sardinia is in his destiny: “el Faraòn”, which continues the long tradition of Uruguayan players of Rossoblù, is married to Sofia, born in Cagliari and daughter of the beloved former midfielder Pepe Herrera.

"Welcome to the family, Diego!"

Godin took to social media to say his final goodbyes to Inter players, staff and supporters, writing on Twitter: “Thank you very much to the entire Nerazzurri family for the affection and respect received during this year.

“It has been an intense and atypical season for the situation we have experienced in the world but despite that I think we have done a good job and we have brought the team back to the top, fighting for important goals as it deserves.

“I carry the memory of all of you fans, who are truly the ones who make this club great. And of course with my teammates and all the people who work alongside the team day after day and who have always treated me with a smile! A hug and I wish you the best.”

The Uruguay international could be in line to make his debut for Cagliari when they play host to Lazio on Saturday.

Eusebio Di Francesco's side opened their latest Serie A campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Sassuolo last weekend, and will be aiming to produce an improved display against the Biancocelesti at Sardegna Arena.

Tottenham again made hard work of Europa League progress as a scrappy 3-1 win at Shkendija took Jose Mourinho's men into the play-off round.

Spurs had survived a major scare in the previous qualifying stage last week, coming from behind to beat nine-man Lokomotiv Plovdiv with two late goals in Bulgaria.

And the trip to North Macedonia threatened to prove similarly troublesome when Valmir Nafiu cancelled out Erik Lamela's fifth-minute strike.

A visiting team including debutant Joe Hart and the returning Dele Alli toiled for a time until Son Heung-min - fresh from a four-goal salvo at Southampton - restored the lead and then turned provider for Harry Kane, whose goal ensured a play-off with Maccabi Haifa.

Lamela's opener looked to have teed up a straightforward evening for Tottenham, found completely free by Son on the right side of the area to slide a calm finish inside the bottom-left corner.

Spurs dominated but did not threaten again until Toby Alderweireld headed narrowly wide in the 26th minute, with Kostadin Zahov then saving Alli's scruffy eight-yard effort.

Further Tottenham openings followed in the second half without causing Zahov undue concern and Shkendija were level against the run of play after 55 minutes.

Ljupco Doriev fizzed a pass right to Nafiu, who arrowed a sensational effort high past Hart into the top-right corner.

Kane, Giovani Lo Celso and then Lucas Moura were called from the Spurs bench, yet the England captain followed Lamela in squandering a big headed chance with the goal gaping.

Son was clinical when his chance came, though, controlling as Zahov parried Lucas' shot and firing into the roof of the net.

Kane created each of Son's four goals in their previous Premier League game, but the roles were reversed as Tottenham made sure of their place in the next round, a cross from the left met with a firm downward header.

What does it mean? Spurs forced to turn to stars

Having repeatedly bemoaned Tottenham's tough schedule, Mourinho would have been frustrated to see a team missing Kane, Lo Celso and Lucas fail to get the job done.

He was therefore forced to call on the rested trio just three days before the visit of Newcastle United. It paid dividends, but the starting XI - Son apart - did themselves and their coach few favours.

Son the Spurs star

Given the focus Mourinho is placing on the Europa League, Son's display here might even be considered more important than his stunning performance against Southampton.

His poise in the area had already prompted the breakthrough goal for Lamela, but two more telling contributions were required in the final 20 minutes to advance. The winger created four chances in all.

Dele disappoints

Mourinho said this week Alli - back in action for the first time since his half-time substitution in the defeat to Everton - held "99 per cent" of the responsibility for the improvement he required.

The coach did not appear overly enthused by this display, expressing his frustration with Alli on a couple of occasions, as the midfielder missed a big first-half chance and won just one of his six duels while failing to register a tackle or interception before he was replaced by Kane.

What's next?

Spurs must now travel back to London ahead of hosting Newcastle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has claimed Kenyan Premier League Limited did a good job and their contract should have been renewed.

KPL’s deal to run the top-tier ended officially on September 24, bringing to an end a journey that started in 2005. Shimanyula feels the league managers did a commendable job and the deal should have been extended given what they achieved.

“KPL did a good job and I sincerely do not think anyone can match their good job. They had a good management structure, were well-organised and also brought sponsors on board,” Shimanyula told Goal on Thursday.

The KPL chairman position was automatically taken by the club chair whose team won the league title and this model of leadership, Shimanyula says, was the best one.

“They also initiated a new way of getting the KPL chairman; that the team which wins the league, their chairman automatically becomes the chair, that was a proper way to do things,” he added.

“The leadership of the league was not left to the cartels who would not run the league but have their own agendas prioritised. There was no need for electing the KPL chair because that would always not be a fair way to get the best leader.”

During the KPL regime, Gor Mahia produced the chairman on seven occasions but Shimanyula explained why he did not have an issue with K’Ogalo’s dominance.

“There was no problem with Gor Mahia dominating the chairmanship position because they fought and deservedly got there,” he added. “That acted as an encouragement for other teams to fight, win the league and produce the chair.

“There is a time Tusker won the title as well as Sofapaka, Mathare United and Ulinzi Stars. So, I would say the method ensured no cartels were accommodated.

The Kakamega Homeboyz chair also explained why he would have liked the league managers to get their contract extended one more time.

“KPL should have been given another chance, 100% not even 90% because I loved their job,” he concluded.

“I am saying they should have completely remained because KPL Limited was run by a board that was not answerable to anyone else.

“They were very independent, unlike a scenario where the office bearers are nominated by the FKF president. In such a case, there is no independence because the president can dictate to the nominees what to do thereby manipulating the office and influencing decisions.”

FKF president Nick Mwendwa had earlier revealed the league will be renamed to FKFPL owing to the management change.

Enzo Zidane, the eldest son of Real Madrid legend and manager Zinedine Zidane is hoping to join Botola Pro 1 side Wydad Casablanca, according to his agent Roberto Carlos.

The midfielder played for Juventus, Liceo Frances, San Jose before joining the Blancos youth team in 2004 and spent 10 years in the academy.

Zidane featured for Real Madrid teams C and B, before he made his first-team debut in 2016 in a Copa del Rey clash against Cultural Leonesa.

The 25-year-old then teamed up with Deportivo Alaves after leaving the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu but featured sparingly.

His quest to enjoy more game time saw him move to the Swiss Super League, teaming up with Lausanne-Sport and he spent a season with the side including a loan spell at Rayo Majadahonda.

In the summer of 2019, he moved to Portugal, joining Aves but struggled to make an impact with the side before returning to Spain with Almeria in January.

Zidane is hoping to continue his development in Africa with Carlos discussing a possible transfer.

“Greetings President Naciri, it is a great pleasure for me to be able to speak with you,” Carlos said in a video.

“I hope to close the deal for Enzo Zidane, a very good player, with Wydad, a great club from Casablanca.”

The Wydad al Oumma are one of the most successful clubs on the continent, having won the Moroccan professional league title 20 times.

They are also the current champions of the Botola Pro 1 and have won the Caf Champions League twice, in 1992 and 2017.

Wydad Casablanca also secured the Caf Super Cup title in 2018 and were runners up in the competition in 1993 and 2003.

The Moroccan club has featured four times in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Should the deal be successful, Zidane will be the sixth foreign player in the club after Nigeria international Michael Babatunde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kazadi Kasengu, Uganda’s Joel Madondo and Ivory Coast duo of Gbagbo Junior Magbi and Cheick Comara.

Nzoia Sugar FC striker Boris Kwezi has revealed he is keen on returning to his native Uganda because of allegedly being treated like a 'slave'.

The former Chemelil Sugar FC player was acquired by the Western-based side who were restructuring for the abandoned 2019/20 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season. The forward managed to score four goals to help his team finish in 15th position with 13 points after managing two wins, seven draws, and 13 losses in the 22 matches played.

"I would rather come back home," Kwezi said as quoted by the Sports Nation.

"I have gone six months without salary, the way these guys are treating us is like we are slaves. You go to demand your salary but they tell you, ‘You are a foreigner. We will pay you when we get your money because you can’t go anywhere'."  

The forward has further stated his fellow countrymen are embarrassed to go home owing to their status and went on to reveal how the fans have been helping them.

"It is hard for some [Ugandan] players here to talk because they do not want to be ashamed back home.

"Some fans are the ones who are helping me, I was chased out of the house two months ago by the landlord due to no payments so a fan called me and told me to stay with him at his place. Things are tough."

The situation has deteriorated to the point where the coach is also allegedly excluding the player in training.  

"You spend the whole week without getting anything to eat from the club but they expect you to come for training every day," Kwezi continued.

"They do not care if you have eaten or not.  

"A coach comes to the training ground and he tells you; ‘Today I am not playing with foreigners, you can go and play aside'.

"You can finish in a week while you have trained for one hour with the team."  

Efforts to reach Nzoia Sugar for the club's point of view were not answered by the respective officials. 

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has explained the story behind his striking new purple hairdo.

The Germany defender, never afraid to make a fashion statement, raised some eyebrows with his new look when treble-winning Bayern returned from their short break for the 2020-21 season.

Now, the Bavarians are looking to defend their Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal crowns, and in Boateng’s bright purple hair, they have a reminder of their biggest triumph.

“It was a bet before we went to Portugal,” Boateng told Bayern’s website.

“A friend was sure we would win the Champions League, so bet me to dye my hair purple if we won. If we didn’t, he’d do it. I was so surprised and immediately agreed to it.

“I can live with having my hair this colour when it’s for such a good reason.”

Boateng bounced back from a difficult start to the 2019-20 season to regain his place in the Bayern side under Hansi Flick, winning his second European treble after achieving the feat in 2012-13.

He says he and his team-mates know they now have a target on their backs, but defending their crowns is a challenge he appears to relish.

“We want to attack again and defend our titles. When you’ve won everything, the toughest thing is to repeat it.

“Every team wants to beat us. We probably have to step it up a notch, be even better. That has to be the goal. Teams in Europe and Germany aren’t sitting back.”

Bayern can win their first piece of silverware of the 2020-21 season on Thursday night, as they take on Europa League winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.

“They’re an awkward opponent,” Boateng said. “There’s a reason they’ve won the Europa League, and the UEFA Cup before that, a number of times in recent years.

“Sevilla have a lot of quality in their team. As with every opponent, we have a lot of respect but also know about our own strengths. We want to play well and win the title.

“We’re in good shape and can go more than 90 minutes. It’ll be an exciting game and we’ll try to settle it in normal time. But you never know what’ll happen in football.

“The important thing is to play well in the end, perform to our level and fulfil our requirement to ourselves. Then we’ve got a good chance.”

Former Namibia international Robert Nauseb says the future and progress of striker Peter Shalulile depends on how Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane uses him at Chloorkop.

The retired defender explains the former Highlands Park hitman has proven his worth in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), saying he will provide more options for the Brazilians as he can also play as a winger.

Shalulile recently joined the reigning treble winners after the Lions of the North were sold to TS Galaxy and will compete with the likes of Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Alli Meza as well as Lebogang Maboe for a spot in the frontline.

“Shalulile has shown his worth that he is a lethal striker. I am confident that Pitso knows why he signed him and he knows how he will use him,” Nauseb told Isolezwe.

“Shalulile’s future and progress are in Pitso’s hands to ensure his future doesn’t falter, to remain bright.

“I trust that he will play at Sundowns because he’s a complete player and the only outright striker in Sundowns squad for now.

“I heard that Kermit Erasmus will also join Sundowns. He is the only striker who will compete with Shalulile upfront. What’s good about Peter is that he can also play as a winger.

“In that way, he will give Pitso more options on how to use him. On top of that, Sundowns will play different competitions next season.”

Meanwhile, the former Amakhosi star also raised concerns regarding the competition in Tshwane especially when it comes to the happiness of the players.

“However, my concern is on how Pitso will ensure that all of his players are happy. The youngsters will also want to play and if they don’t play, they will not be happy,” he added.

“The competition for the jersey will be tight because only 11 players will have to enter the field of play.”

With the Brave Warriors international having completed the 2019/20 PSL season with 16 league goals next to his name, the 26-year-old will look to continue with his goalscoring exploits for the former African champions.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has expressed his satisfaction by the performance of Ghana defender Daniel Amartey in his return to competitive action for the first time in two years.

After suffering an ankle injury while in Premier League action against West Ham United in October 2018, the 25-year-old marked his comeback with 90 minutes of action in what ended in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the League Cup on Wednesday. 

“I thought that our approach to the game, the attitude and energy in the team was very good. We pressed the ball really, really well," Rodgers said, as reported by his club's official website. 

“A lot of these players are getting [their] first minutes of the season. Daniel Amartey [is] playing his first game in nearly two years.

"If you’re going to lose the game, you want to lose it with that mentality and the attitude, and I think the players gave us absolutely everything.

“We just probably ran out of legs a little bit towards the end and that obviously affected our quality in the final third.

“You never want to lose a game, but if you do and you have that attitude and energy then it always bodes well going forward.”

Earlier this month, Amartey took a giant step on his road to full fitness with 45 minutes of action for Leicester in a 1-1 pre-season draw with Blackburn Rovers, scoring his side's goal.

Wednesday's game was his second senior game in all for The Foxes in two years. 

“We’re disappointed with the goals, that was our only criticism, but we had lots of positives. Daniel Amartey with his first game in two years, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Luke Thomas did well too," Rodgers said.

“Amartey has consistently trained and his mentality is first class. He’s a very honest guy, his defensive qualities are strong and how he lasted the game was very good.”

In May, Amartey's Ghanaian representative Yussif Alhassan Chibsah revealed the player was on his way out of the club due to a lack of first-team opportunities at King Power Stadium. 

He signed for Leicester from Danish outfit FC Copenhagen in 2016 and helped the English side win the Premier League five months later. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed why he turned down a number of "good opportunities" to extend his stay at Arsenal.

Speculation surrounding Aubameyang's future at Arsenal was raging as he entered the final year of his contract earlier this summer, amid rumours of interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including La Liga giants Barcelona and Serie A side Inter.

The Gunners seemed to be getting nowhere with negotiations over an extension, and the 31-year-old refused to be drawn on transfer rumours following his star turn in the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea on August 1.

However, the prayers of fans across the red half of north London were answered when Aubameyang signed a new deal on September 15, which will keep him at Emirates Stadium until at least 2023.

The Gabon international has now explained his decision to remain on Arsenal's books, crediting head coach Mikel Arteta and the club's supporters for helping him make up his mind.

"Two things persuaded me to stay," Aubameyang told Sky Sports ahead of a Monday night clash with reigning Premier League champions Liverpool. "The first thing was Mikel Arteta, because since he came in he brings a lot of positivity and a new philosophy for us.

"I think that was important because it matched my game and I feel that I can improve with him. I think this was the key factor and as well, the love that I receive from the fans and the whole club.

"Everyone is treating me very, very good, so I feel at home and that's why I'm staying.

"We had a chat during lockdown and we were supposed to talk about a game and he said 'okay, forget about it, we're going to talk about the future' and he asked me what I wanted to do.

"I was like 'I feel good since you came, I'm improving, and the philosophy is very, very nice so I just want to stay' and he was like 'I'm sure if you stay you can leave a legacy, but it's all about you and what you want.

"Of course, you can leave and go for trophies in big clubs as well but I think you can create a legacy here in this great club.'

"This was the key message to me and after that conversation, I was like 'okay, it's all clear for me and I just want to stay' and that's it."

The experienced centre-forward, who has hit 71 goals in 112 appearances for the Gunners since his switch from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, says that although he considered leaving the Emirates at one stage, his emotional ties to the club ultimately proved too strong for him to walk away.

"I was thinking about it to tell you the truth because I had good opportunities as well," Aubameyang added.

"But this feeling to be here - the love from the fans and all the club - I'm not sure that by leaving I will receive the same love, so that's why I'm staying.

"I'm really proud to be the captain but it's not the biggest factor to stay. Of course, it's a great job to do but it was not a part of me staying here."

It's no secret that Everton still have a long way to go before they meet the European standards of their crosstown rivals Liverpool, who lifted their sixth Champions League trophy in 2019 after beating Tottenham in the final.

Here's what you need to know about when the Blues last qualified for the Champions League.

When was the last time Everton qualified for the Champions League?

Everton last qualified for the Champions League in 2005 under David Moyes, for the 2005-06 edition of the competition.

The Blues finished in fourth place in the Premier League – above Liverpool – which awarded them the right to enter the Champions League in the third qualifying round.

They were handed La Liga side Villarreal as opponents in the Champions League qualification round, but failed to beat them - losing 4-2 on aggregate and unable to progress to the next round.

The Blues lost both legs 2-1, with Luciano Figueroa and Josico netting for the Spanish side at Goodison Park.

Juan Pablo Sorin opened the scoring during the second leg at Estadio El Madrigal, and though Mikel Arteta equalised for the Toffees early in the second half, a Diego Forlan winner in stoppage time ensured that Villarreal progressed to the next stage.

The match is also known for the infamous refereeing decisions made by referee Pierluigi Collina, who had ruled out a potential goal scored by Duncan Ferguson.

Ferguson headed the ball into the net, but his celebrations were halted with Collina blowing his whistle to signify a foul. Ferguson protested against the decision, but Collina responded by mockingly putting his hand to his ear as if to say he couldn't understand what he was saying.

Collina later justified his decision by declaring that he had blown his whistle for a shirt pull by Marcus Bent, but later replays showed that it was actually his own shirt that was being pulled.

Collina announced his retirement from refereeing days after the Villarreal match.

Villarreal went on to beat Manchester United and Rangers, and were only eliminated by Arsenal in the semi-finals.

When was the last time Everton qualified for the Europa League?

Everton last qualified for the Europa League in 2017 under Ronald Koeman, their seventh-placed Premier League finish earning them a spot in the Europa League third qualifying round.

They failed to progress past the group stages, finishing third in Group E below Atalanta and Lyon.

Donny van de Beek is ready to “fight for everything” at Manchester United, with the Dutch midfielder determined to help the club lift silverware.

Tangible success has been in short supply for the Red Devils of late.

Jose Mourinho delivered three trophies in his debut campaign at the helm back in 2016-17, but a Europa League triumph to end that term remains the last entry on United’s roll of honour.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer guided his side into contention for major silverware across multiple fronts last season, only to come unstuck in three semi-finals.

Efforts are being made to right those wrongs, with Van de Beek acquired from Ajax to help aid that cause.

The 23-year-old is buying into the ambition of those he has joined in Manchester, with the Netherlands international setting lofty targets in English football.

He has told United Review: “I always trust in myself and for sure you can always improve and be better and I will always work hard to make those steps and still now I will continue to do that.

“I have made a good step from Ajax to United and now I want more and more and I want to help the club win prizes. We will fight for everything.”

Van de Beek was given the perfect grounding during his time at Ajax.

Having worked his way through a famed academy system, an Eredivise and KNVB Cup double was savoured in 2018-19 – while runs to the Europa League final and last four of the Champions League have also been taken in.

On the lessons he learned in Amsterdam, Van de Beek added: “A lot was about the position game, the technical part of the game.

“In the Ajax youth team you have really good coaches and really good players and this is what has made Ajax so big.

“A lot of young players get a chance in the first team and then they make a good career and they go to big clubs, this is what Ajax do. This is also what I learnt.

“I learned a lot about football skills with the ball… you had everything in the youth team, all the possibilities to improve a lot and that is what helped me so much.”

Van de Beek has already opened his goal account for United, in a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, made his first competitive start for the club in a Carabao Cup third-round win over Luton and will be looking to be involved again on Saturday when Solskjaer’s side head to Brighton.

Jadon Sancho “wants you to know that he’s better than you”, says Borussia Dortmund team-mate Thomas Meunier, with the England international compared to Kylian Mbappe in the showboating stakes.

Said talent has seen a 20-year-old forward enjoy a meteoric rise to prominence.

Sancho has become one of the most sought-after assets in European football, with Manchester United having spent much of the summer trying to lure him back to his homeland.

Dortmund have stood firm, however, and made it clear that they will not be bowing to transfer pressure.

That means Sancho is being freed to continue tormenting club colleagues and Bundesliga rivals in Germany.

Meunier, who left Mbappe’s side at Paris Saint-Germain to link up with Dortmund in the current transfer window, told BVB TV of Sancho: “Jadon is a bit sneaky.

“He always wants to nutmeg you or dribble past you. It's a bit like a humiliation. He wants you to know that he's better than you.

“Mbappe is the same - they are a bit arrogant in the way they play. There are ways to stop them - you take the ball or take then man!”

Sancho is one of several youngsters to be starring for Dortmund, with Erling Haaland, Gio Reyna and Jude Bellingham also forming part of Luicien Favre’s exciting squad.

“They're fantastic, not only as footballers, but as people," Meunier added.

“They're all conscious of the fact we have the quality to do something great. We all want to win titles, and everyone is going in the same directions. They can be 17 or 25 - it makes no difference.”

Meunier, at 29 years of age, is one of the more experienced heads at Dortmund.

He is hoping to put those qualities to good use, with the Belgium international right-back confident that he can strike up a productive partnership with Sancho down their flank and contribute plenty of end product himself.

“I'm an attacking player, so I can score a goal in every game,” Meunier said.

“I might have scored against Gladbach - I was on my own when Gio went down for the penalty. There will always be possibilities [to score].

“But my priority is to be on the pitch every three days. Recovery is the most important thing for that. Being professional is the key to success.”

Dortmund opened their 2020-21 Bundesliga campaign with a 3-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach, with Reyna and Haaland on the scoresheet, and have a trip to Augsburg and a Supercup clash with Bayern Munich to take in over the course of the next week.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not try and talk Miralem Pjanic out of a move to Barcelona despite the Juventus superstar boasting strong ties to Real Madrid.

A five-time Ballon d’Or winner spent two seasons playing alongside Pjanic in Turin.

The Bosnian midfielder was, however, to become the subject of a trade agreement involving Brazil international Arthur.

A South American midfielder is now in Italy, while Pjanic finds himself at Camp Nou.

The 30-year-old sought out advice from Ronaldo before heading to Spain, but a Real legend never suggested that he should steer clear of a team on the opposite side of a fierce Clasico divide.

Pjanic told Mundo Deportivo: “The opposite. When everything was done he told me that he was very happy for me, that I would be happy here because the game in Spain is very good and strong. 

“It was bad for him that I was leaving Juventus, but he told me that he thinks I will have a lot of fun in a great team like Barcelona. 

“Cristiano has been very professional at Juventus, he is a player who has shown many great things and who has been very important in the dressing room by setting an example for everyone.”

Pjanic is now preparing to line up alongside Lionel Messi at Barca.

He is accustomed to working with such talent by now, with a spell at Roma seeing him become a team-mate of Francesco Totti before moving on to Juve and eventually seeing Ronaldo join him at the Allianz Stadium.

“And with Buffon too!” Pjanic said of playing with modern day legends.

“The mentality is what is important and they are so unique. They've played for many years at a top level and to do that you have to be focused on your work, you have to love football. 

“They always want to improve in all competitions, they are an example for everyone.”

Pjanic has had to shake off a bout of Covid-19 since securing a switch to Barcelona, but he is now very much part of the fold under Ronald Koeman and raring to get going.

A man who won four Serie A titles with Juve will open up a quest to savour La Liga glory on Sunday when his new employers start their 2020-21 campaign at home to Villarreal.

AC Milan have confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has tested positive for Covid-19 and will be taking in a period of quarantine.

The 38-year-old must self-isolate after seeing it revealed that he is a carrier of the coronavirus.

The enigmatic Swedish striker is the only member of playing and coaching staff at San Siro to have posted a positive test.

An enforced break means that Ibrahimovic will play no part in Milan’s upcoming fixtures.

A statement from the Serie A club on their official website read: “Zlatan Ibrahimovic has tested positive for Covid-19 following a second round of swab tests ahead of tonight's game against Bodø/Glimt.

“The club has informed the relevant authorities and the player has been promptly placed in quarantine at home.

“All other team members and staff have tested negative.”

Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a productive opening to the 2020-21 campaign for Milan.

He has taken in two appearances so far, with three goals recorded across those outings.

His goal account for the season was opened in a Europa League qualifier against Shamrock Rovers, before then bagging a brace in Serie A against Bologna.

The self-proclaimed ‘Benjamin Button’ of modern day football had been looking to kick on from that point, having agreed to extend his second spell with the Rossoneri.

He said after finding the target against Bologna: "I'm fine, I'm working, this is the second official match.

“We won, I could have scored more goals. If I was 20, I would have scored another two. I'm like Benjamin Button, I was born old and I die young.”

Ibrahimovic added on Milan as a collective: "We are not yet at 100 per cent, we still made some mistakes that we usually wouldn’t.

“Today it was important to win the first game and start well. Our goal is to do better than last year.

“The young players are doing well; they work, they listen, they have discipline, they know that you have to suffer, work and be focused every day.

"This year we have to think one game at a time and do well, play confidently and play every game like a final. The goal is to stay high in the table.

“I like to have responsibility. The biggest pressure comes from myself. I don't want anyone to talk about my age, I want everyone to be judged on the same level - I don't want any favours because I'm 38.”

Bruno Fernandes boasts a perfect penalty record at Manchester United, with eight efforts converted from as many attempts, but the Portuguese claims he would move aside if others wanted to step up.

The Red Devils knew they were acquiring a dead-ball specialist when putting a deal in place with Sporting during the January transfer window.

Fernandes slotted seamlessly into the fold at Old Trafford, with free-kicks and corners immediately falling under his remit.

He also inherited spot-kick duties and has proved to be faultless when offered opportunities to score from 12 yards.

The 26-year-old has only missed two of the 30 penalties he has taken in his career to date, making him very much a go-to man when pressure is ramped up.

Fernandes is, however, adamant that he would happily stand down if the likes of Marcus Rashford or Paul Pogba decided that they wanted to take advantage of the flurry of spot-kicks that have come United’s way of late.

“It doesn’t matter if I take penalties,” the classy playmaker told United Review. 

“We have a lot of qualities in the team, like I’ve said before.

“I already talked with some players. Rashy was the guy who took the penalties so I tell him: 'When you feel confident, if you want to take the penalty, for me, it is not a problem.' I will not fight.

“I feel confident with penalties and I want to take them but, if someone comes to me to ask to take a penalty, I will not fight every time, just to take a penalty.

“In that moment, I can be tired or not prepared to take a penalty and I can say easily: ‘You take it’.

“I trust in my team-mates – Rashy, Anthony [Martial] and also Paul [Pogba], they have a lot of qualities and can take it. We have really good penalty-takers.

“The most important thing is scoring for Manchester United. It doesn’t matter if it is Bruno or someone else.”

Fernandes is not overly concerned about boosting his own numbers with successful penalties and claims others get just as many as he does, with scoring from the spot having become an art form in itself.

He added: “Yeah but we can’t talk a lot about penalties because everybody will say: ‘Bruno only scores with penalties’.

“If the others score them, it’s no problem! Penalties are part of the game, you know. You need to score. You have the chance but you need to score.

“I know everyone is talking about them like it’s easy but you can lose a final with a penalty. Manchester won the Champions League in Moscow with penalties [in 2008].

“For most people, it’s easy when you’re in front of the TV. It is easy – just look at the goalkeeper jump to his left so why don’t you shoot to the right? Yeah, I can shoot to the right but, on my mind, was the left and the goalkeeper saved it! It can happen! But the most important thing, for me, is to keep scoring.”

Fernandes and the rest of Solskjaer’s United side will be back in action on Saturday when they go in search of their first Premier League points of the season away at Brighton.

Mason Greenwood boasts “world-class potential” and will ultimately become a “defender’s nightmare” in a central striking post for Manchester United, claims Darren Fletcher.

At 18 years of age, a highly-rated product of the Red Devils’ famed academy system is still finding his feet on a senior stage.

He has fared admirably under the spotlight to this point, with 17 goals recorded across all competitions in 2019-20.

A productive partnership has been struck up with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, with the latter currently filling a No.9 role.

Plenty have suggested that Greenwood will be moved inside at some stage, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asking him to operate out wide at present.

Fletcher believes a talented teenager is destined to make that switch, with his ability on either foot and keen eye for goal marking him out as a deadly frontman of the future.

The former United midfielder told Sky Sports after seeing Greenwood open his goal account for 2020-21 in a Carabao Cup win over Luton: “I think he’s a starter in United’s best team.

“Mason plays off the right-hand side, Anthony Martial in the middle and Marcus Rashford on the left, with Bruno [Fernandes] at No.10.

“That’s the best attack and the one that put people on the edge of their seats after lockdown and produced United’s best form.

“I’m sure Mason’s evolution is to be a No.9. He’s got world-class potential.

“The fact he can go both ways – not many strikers can go naturally onto their left foot and naturally onto their right foot and finish it. He’s a defender’s nightmare.”

Solskjaer, who once operated as a leading striker for United, has admitted that he sees Greenwood taking on central duties at some stage.

He has, however, been quick to point out that the youngster still has areas of his game to work on before such a tactical tweak can be made.

The Red Devils boss has said: “He can play through the middle as well. I think, as a young boy, not physically grown yet, it is nice to be facing forward rather than being the No.9, the foil; being the battering ram if you like.

“So I think he’ll end up as a No.9 in the end, probably. But he’s so good with his right and left, so he can come in off his right and left, or through the middle. I scored most of my goals from just outside the post as well, I wasn’t in the middle."

Solskjaer added: “For him to be a No.9, he needs to learn how to head the ball.

“I keep telling him that and, if he wants to do that, he’s welcome to come and practice with me.” 

Thiago Alcantara is a “world-class” talent and has linked up with Liverpool in order to enhance his reputation as a “winner”, says Reds goalkeeper Adrian.

Jurgen Klopp has added another match-altering talent to his ranks at Anfield.

Thiago, as one of the finest manipulators of a ball in the global game, has added his considerable ability to a star-studded squad on Merseyside.

The excitement that accompanied his arrival has continued to build on the back of an eye-catching Premier League debut against Chelsea.

Liverpool were not in need of much assistance, given all that they have achieved over the course of the last two seasons, but proven performers are always welcome.

Thiago has slotted seamlessly into the fold, with the Spain international expected to help deliver more major silverware for Klopp and co.

“For sure. He's a winner,” Adrian told Liverpool’s official website of a notable new recruit.

“You see his career, he won a lot of titles because obviously he was in a top team like Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

“He likes to win, he came here to win, to try to win all the titles we are facing this season.

“It's going to be intense, it's going to be a period with many games. It's a great signing for us and I think he's going to help us a lot.”

Adrian added on a player that he has crossed paths with in the past: “Thiago is a world-class player.

“I knew him before when we went to the national team and because we have a few friends between us.

“He's a top player, he has quality, he has [a] great pass, great shot, vision of the game – a different one. So he gives us a lot of help.

“This season is going to be tough and he gives us that quality that he has. Obviously part of this is a great player, fits really well into the dressing room, speaks very good English, so no problem at all.

“I think he's going to enjoy this season, the first season with us.”

A £20 million ($26m) deal with Bayern Munich for Thiago was quickly followed at Anfield by a £41m ($53m) agreement for Diogo Jota, with the Portuguese forward being snapped up from Wolves.

He is another being tipped to make an immediate impact when called upon, with Adrian happy to see another proven attacking option added to the ranks.

The Spanish goalkeeper said when asked how Jota is settling in: “Very well as well. He trained a few days with us.

“I think he's also a great signing. We need people with that pace, with that quality that Jota has.

“He showed last season with Wolves that he can score, he can pass, he can dribble, he can do many things and obviously he's a hard worker as well. I think he's going to adapt quick to the team.

“We hope [he has] some opportunity to play in the next few games and show the quality that he has as well.”

Liverpool stars old and new will be given opportunities to impress on Thursday when the Reds take in a Carabao Cup third-round clash with Lincoln.

Manchester United have put David de Gea in an “awkward” position by bringing Dean Henderson back into the fold, says Paul Parker, with every goalkeeping performance for the Red Devils now set to be dissected in minute detail.

The two men competing for a regular starting berth at Old Trafford have both seen competitive game time this season.

De Gea opened the new Premier League campaign as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s No.1, and was beaten on three occasions as Crystal Palace collected an impressive 3-1 win on their travels.

Henderson then slotted into the United side for a Carabao Cup clash with Luton, with a clean sheet collected in a less than convincing 3-0 win over the Hatters.

Debate as to who should be first choice appears set to rage from this point, with many having already called for De Gea to be nudged down the pecking order after seeing errors creep back into his game.

That would be harsh on a man with four Player of the Year awards to his name in Manchester, with Parker among those questioning why United have put themselves in this position and whether sporting or financial ambition has led to a battle between two international-calibre goalkeepers.

The former Red Devils defender told Eurosport: “What I would like to think is that Henderson has looked at De Gea, a vastly experienced goalkeeper, and he has thought to himself that he can compete and eventually beat him out as the club’s first-choice. I hope that was his motivating factor, not the huge new contract he got, otherwise he should have gone back on loan to Sheffield United.

“If he is up for the challenge though, and I have no reason to think otherwise, then he deserves a lot of credit. It’s easy these days for players to be content, to stay comfortable. It would have been very easy for him to go back to Sheffield United, where he knows everyone and is the undisputed first-choice, but fair play to him for testing himself.

“I don’t think you can give as much credit to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Manchester United as a whole. They’ve put themselves, and De Gea, in a very awkward situation. We all know De Gea is going to come back into the starting line-up for Saturday’s game against Brighton but what happens then if he makes an error? Every goal they concede now is going to be dissected more than before.

“Even if United win you know Solskjaer is going to be under pressure from fans and the media to make a change. It’s tough for goalkeepers, you don’t get to make as many mistakes as outfield players, and now De Gea is going to be under the microscope more than ever.”

Henderson has made no secret of the fact that he wants to nail down a role for United, but has also aired his admiration for De Gea and accepts that competition for places in 2020-21 is going to be fierce.