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Ovie Ejaria got his first goal as a permanent Reading signing after the Royals got past Derby County at Pride Park on the opening Championship weekend.

The 22-year-old Anglo-Nigerian was on loan at the Madejski Stadium last season from Liverpool, making 36 appearances in the Championship, scoring three goals and providing five assists and that was enough to make his move permanent, signing a four-year deal.

Reading went in front in the 40th minute via Portuguese forward of Angolan descent Lucas Joao, as another Anglo-Nigerian in Michael Olise provided the assist.

It was not long after when the lead doubled thanks to Ejaria in added time of first half, Lucas Joao turning provider this time.

Ejaria was on for 68 minutes, also contributing 50 touches, 20 accurate passes from 23 (87%), 100% accuracy in his dribbles (two from two attempts) and winning 10 of 13 ground duels before being replaced by Nigeria international and former Fulham forward Sone Aluko.

Ejaria’s career began at youth level at Liverpool in 2014 and he made only eight appearances for the senior team during the 2016-17 season, the only time he had an opportunity to represent them.

His other stints were on loan at Sunderland and Scottish giants Rangers where he made a combined 39 appearances.

Ejaria has been with Reading since January 2019 and has played 56 times in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.

The Royals finished the previous season in 14th place with 56 points, eight clear of the relegation zone. Their next assignment of the new season will be a home tie against Barnsley on September 19.

Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Gaston Sirino says Mamelodi Sundowns “showed character” when they clawed their way back into contention for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title which they clinched last week.

After trailing Kaizer Chiefs for the better part of the season, Sundowns made a remarkable comeback to snatch the league title which appeared to be in Amakhosi’s grip.

It was on the final day of the season when Downs overtook Chiefs who had led the standings for 28 games.

The Tshwane giants could now complete the season with a treble if they beat Bloemfontein Celtic in Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final.

“At Sundowns it is all about winning, the moment you join the club, that is instilled in your DNA,” Sirino told the Sundowns website.

“It doesn’t matter who your opponents are, we are all about winning. It feels good to win trophies, we are about that. We have two trophies already and we are going to fight for the third one.

“It will be a great way to close the season, it was a tough season for everyone and we showed character and we fought all the way. Now we have the last game and we go rest and prepare for next season.”

It would be Sundowns’ chase for a second Nedbank crown under coach Pitso Mosimane, who led them to the triumph of South Africa’s premier knockout competition in 2015.

Twelve Sundowns players have won the Cup before. But Downs’ domestic treble ambitions face a serious threat from Celtic, who are unbeaten since football resumed in South Africa following a coronavirus-induced break.

Playing under the tutelage of John Maduka, Celtic have become a more competitive side.

The Free State side do not lack players who have won the Nedbank Cup before, with midfielder Lucky Baloyi lifting during his days at Kaizer Chiefs in 2013.

Captain Ndumiso Mabena is a two-time Nedbank Cup winner, claiming it with Orlando Pirates in 2011 and 2014.

Congolese forward Harris Tchilimbou won it two seasons ago with Free State Stars.

Simba SC dropped points in their second league outing after settling for a 1-1 draw with Mtibwa Sugar at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro.

The 21-time league champions started the season on a high, defeating promoted Ihefu 2-1 and were aiming at continuing in winning ways over their hosts who were held to a goalless draw by Ruvu Shooting at the same venue.

The Sugar Millers have not had a good record against their opponents, having collected just two wins from their last 20 meetings, losing 13 and drawing five. 

Wekundu wa Msimbazi had decent chances in the first half but still failed to beat the opposing team.

However, just moments prior to the half-time break, it all changed in favour of the Msimbazi-based charges.

Concentration lapses allowed the visitors into the danger zone moments, and former Sugar Miller Mzamiru Yassin took full advantage of the chance to ensure the team went to the break with a lead.

The defenders failed to tame the 24-year-old, allowing him into the danger zone and he unleashed a fierce shot which the goalkeeper failed to keep out.

Ugandan striker Boban Bogere Zirintusa needed just two minutes after the break to level proceedings and ensure the champions failed to keep a clean sheet for the second time in as many games.

In an earlier match, Dodoma Jiji FC once again showed they mean business after humbling JKT Tanzania 2-0 to get their second win in their debut season in the league.

After a goalless first half, the Dodoma-based charges needed just five minutes in the second to hit the back of the net. Jamal Sudi Mtegeta was fed in the danger zone, the goalkeeper made wrong calculations and the forward rounded him before scoring from a tight angle.

The second goal came from former Gor Mahia and Alliance FC striker Dickson Ambundo, who capitalized on a defensive mistake to loop the ball past the helpless custodian who remained glued to the ground.

Meanwhile, KMC maintained their spot on top of the table after a 2-1 win against Tanzania Prisons.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 21st minute courtesy of Hassan Kabunda. However, Tanzania Prisons equalized in the 39th minute through Kassimu Mdoe before Kenneth Masumbuko hit the winner with five minutes to go.

Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says that Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Keylor Navas and Leandro Paredes are set to return to the squad for the upcoming clash with Marseille.

Ahead of the club's Ligue 1 opener against Lens, PSG confirmed a series of positive coronavirus tests that left Tuchel's squad depleted.

The positive tests came following a brief period where players were permitted to go on holiday after losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

In the days after the initial announcement, it was confirmed that Kylian Mbappe had also tested positive while on international duty with France.

While Mbappe, Marquinhos and Mauro Icardi remain sidelined, Tuchel confirmed that several of the club's top stars are set to return in the wake of a stunning 1-0 loss to Lens in their opener.

"Navas, Di Maria, Paredes, Neymar are back in the squad," Tuchel said at a press conference on Saturday.

"They want to play, it's clear. I will decide tomorrow. We must not wait too long if there are no risks."

PSG shockingly fell in their opener, a match which featured a number of young players and few regulars from their Champions League run.

The match took place during what was the second week of the French season, with the reigning Ligue 1 champions given an extra week to recover from their extended European run in Lisbon.

And, despite their difficult start to the season, Tuchel says that he believes his side remain the favourites to win against rivals Marseille, even if the timing of the match is seen as less than ideal. 

"We're always favourites, but it doesn't matter to us whether someone thinks Marseille is a favourite or not. We have to show the best possible thing," Tuchel said.

"It's not the best time to play the greatest game in France, but it is time. Players are making their return, we will decide tomorrow morning.

"I like the competition, but we have to accept that we don't have the same feeling as in the five matches that preceded Lens. It was five finals.

"Sunday, I expect a difficult match against a team which has the advantage of being prepared for this meeting."

Manchester United need to bring in another “three or four” players in the current transfer window, says Rio Ferdinand, with the Red Devils legend calling for Sergio Reguilon, two forwards and a new centre-half to be snapped up.

Only one fresh face has been welcomed into Old Trafford since the window opened, with Netherlands international midfielder Donny van de Beek acquired from Ajax.

He is a welcome addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ranks, but more is required in order for United to challenge on multiple fronts and hit their ultimate targets of claiming major silverware again.

Ferdinand admits as much, with the former defender of the opinion that more money needs to be pumped into the Red Devils’ ranks before the next deadline passes.

He has welcomed links to Real Madrid left-back Reguilon and hopes further firepower can be found as a protracted saga involving Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho drags on.

“I would say definitely after Van de Beek they need probably – if they’re going to really compete – three or four. Players that can go in and actually affect the first team, the first XI,” Ferdinand told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“And Reguilon we’re talking about, the lad at Sevilla who’s from Real Madrid, he was voted the best left-back in La Liga so really good credentials.

“Luke Shaw I think is unfortunate in terms of his injuries. He’s played games but then he hasn’t been able to sustain a full season without any injuries, which is disappointing.

“But listen, if I was looking at it and looking at the team, in the forward areas I think one or two additions.

“One definitely, maybe two, are needed that can come in and affect that first team and push people, if not start.

“And then I think a centre-back. That area, for me, is where there’s a lack of real, genuine pace and I think the best teams around at the moment have a player in one of the two players that play [at centre-back] in a four that has genuine pace normally.

“I think Liverpool are the team that’s dominated this season. The two centre-backs can be sat on the halfway line, they’re sitting there purring, waiting to be taken on in a foot race back to the goal and they back themselves.

“And with that, what that does as well, it’s not just about pace – knowing how to defend as well – but what that allows is more players to be able to go forward and pin the other team back in the opposing team’s third, which is, the way the game is played today, very critical.”

United have time to work on deals before opening their 2020-21 Premier League campaign, with Solskjaer’s side due to get underway with a home date against Crystal Palace on September 19.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thabo Nthethe says the Brazilians’ dominance of South African football is far from over as long as coach Pitso Mosimane is still with the club.

Mosimane joined Sundowns in December 2012, replacing Dutchman Johan Neeskens.

After inheriting a side struggling for success, Mosimane transformed Sundowns into a thoroughly competitive side, delivering them a Premier Soccer League (PSL) title in 2014, then a first in seven years.

That was to be followed by four more league crowns, a Caf Champions League title, Caf Super Cup triumph, one Nedbank Cup and two Telkom Knockout trophies.

“I think he came at the right time and he was the right person to lead Sundowns,” Nthethe told Sowetan Live.

“Since then, Sundowns were always focusing on results going forward. With a coach like that I mean you will achieve more.

"That’s what they want and I believe they want to continue even after winning the league now. They also want to win the Nedbank; they will never stop winning and that’s the sort of coach they have.

“It is how he manages the team. You can have good players but if you don’t manage them very well, you may not get results. Pitso came with his structure."

Nthethe was signed by Mosimane in 2013 from his hometown club Bloemfontein Celtic and spent four and half seasons at Chloorkop.

His time at the club was highlighted by winning the Caf Champions League and three PSL titles.

Fresh from bagging a third straight league title, Sundowns could complete a domestic treble if they beat Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday night.

This is after they also won the Telkom Knockout earlier this season, but Nthethe feels that Sundowns’ treble ambitions are facing a serious threat from Celtic.

“If you can look at their performance recently, they played very well and they won crucial games,” said Nthethe.

“It is going to be an exciting game. Knowing the history of South African teams after winning a trophy, the following game you are a bit sloppy. I think Celtic can capitalise on that.”

Celtic finished the season in the top eight after going unbeaten in the bio-bubble and their current form could be a major cause for concern for Downs. 

Tottenham Women have announced they have signed Alex Morgan.

The 31-year-old striker will join the north London side from Orlando Pride on a one-year contract once a visa is granted and will wear the No.13 shirt.

Morgan has enjoyed a glittering career to become one of the most iconic figures in the women's game, having amassed 169 caps and scored 107 goals for the United States national team. 

After winning a gold medal at the Olympics in London in 2012, she went on to lift two World Cup crowns with the USWNT in 2015 and 2019, while she also claimed two CONCACAF Women's Championship titles. 

Morgan spent four years with Orlando Pride, though she spent the 2016-17 campaign on loan at French powerhouse Lyon, where she won the domestic league and cup as well as the Champions League.

She has collected a host of individual accolades over the years, too, having been named CONCACAF Player of the Year four times and US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2012 and 2018.

A finalist in the FIFA The Best awards in 2019, Morgan gave birth to her first child, daughter Charlie Elena Carrasco, in May this year.

She follows four of her USWNT team-mates in making the switch to the English league, with Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis joining Manchester City and Christen Press and Tobin Heath making the move to Manchester United. Meanwhile, two of her Orlando Pride team-mates, Shelina Zadorsky and Alanna Kennedy, are already on loan at Spurs.

Tottenham started their Women's Super League campaign with a 1-1 draw against West Ham last week and are in action again on Sunday when they visit Everton. They are also through to the FA Cup quarter-finals, with a clash against London rivals Arsenal scheduled for September 26.

The north London side finished seventh in the table last season, sitting 19 points behind champions Chelsea when the campaign was ended prematurely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Erling Haaland has left the door open for a future Premier League transfer, but the Norwegian frontman says representing England was never an option that he considered.

A man currently starring for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund was born in Leeds during his father Alf Inge’s time at Elland Road.

Having gone on to forge his own professional career at the highest level, Haaland had options to weigh up when it comes to international football.

He has nailed his colours to Norway’s mast, with an opportunity to turn out for the Three Lions given little thought.

Quizzed by Soccerbible on whether England were ever an option for him, Haaland said: “I don’t think so, no.

“I really don’t know, I moved back to Norway when I was four years old, so I didn’t think about that too much. I’m Norwegian and I’m proud of it.”

While snubbing the chance to play for England, Haaland is open to the idea of playing his club football there.

A move to Manchester United was mooted before linking up with Dortmund and the ambitious 20-year-old striker admits anything is possible.

He added: “I always try to come into the top five leagues, and right now I feel that Germany is fitting perfectly. You’ve seen this so far. The top five leagues, that’s every footballer’s dream.”

Haaland had several options to mull over when making a move to Dortmund, with clubs across Europe scrambling to secure his signature.

The Bundesliga is proving to be a good fit, with the confident youngster not one to let expectation weigh heavy on him.

“I always put a lot of pressure on myself, so that’s also been a natural thing,” he said.

“But pressure from a move? I try not to think about it too much. It’s a lot of pressure, of course. Dortmund is a big club. But that’s something that you have to live with.”

Haaland has been able to settle quickly at Dortmund as he forms part of an exciting young squad.

Jadon Sancho is one of his talented team-mates, with a man generating plenty of talk of interest from Manchester United considered to be another hot prospect that is destined to “reach the very top”.

Haaland said of his club colleague: “The levels of performance are so high and from the first second we just understood each other.

“Jadon is obviously a fantastic footballer and he can reach the very top.”

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Rob Holding, who was tipped to join Newcastle United on loan, is now set to stay at Arsenal.

Holding had been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle as Arsenal look to raise transfer funds and reduce the number of centre-halves in their squad.

However, Holding started the opening game of the season at Fulham and impressed in a 3-0 win to leave Arteta ruling out a departure for the defender.

"I said to him 'change your mind because you're not going anywhere'," he said.

"Rob is another who stands for every value we want at the football club. He had a really difficult time but he trained and why would I have to let him go? He's already playing, what more do you want?"

Following the victory at Craven Cottage, Arteta reiterated his hope for good news on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract "in the next few days".

The Gabon striker scored the Gunners' third at Fulham and has now hit 55 goals in the Premier League since his debut on February 4, 2018, which is more than any other player in the competition in that time.

However, the 31-year-old's future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months, with his contract expiring in 20201.

Arteta stated this week that Arsenal fans could feel "pretty relaxed" about the player's future and he suggested again on Saturday that a positive update is around the corner.

"I'm really positive we're going to get it done and in the next few days hopefully we have some news," he told BT Sport.

Arteta was thrilled with his side's performance against Fulham, who had no response to the goals from Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and debutant Gabriel.

Willian also enjoyed an impressive first outing for the Gunners, forcing the chance for Lacazette to open the scoring before assisting his side's further two goals.

"I wanted to see my team determined to come to this difficult ground against a really good team and do the things that we trained and show the spirit we showed again today," Arteta said.

"They've been training really well. For Gabriel, it was a big challenge to come to this small ground in the Premier League. I think he didn't play for six months with everything that happened in France.

"Mo Elneny again I thought did brilliant today. All the boys tried really hard; the ones that came on have to push these guys again."

He said of Lacazette, whose own future has been somewhat uncertain: "Yes, he is in my plans, he's a player I like a lot, but he knows he has Eddie [Nketiah] at his back, or next to him, I would say, and whoever is in better shape is going to play.

"It's the same for the rest of the team."

Ghana coach Ben Fokuo has set his sights on returning the Black Starlets to the Africa U17 Cup of Nations following the team's failure to qualify for the 2019 edition.

After a six-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two-time champions are set to resume camp on Sunday ahead of the upcoming Wafu Zone B Cup of Nations in Benin.

The team of players have been called up to resume training at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Centre on Tuesday.

"It’s been a long time since we experienced success with the U17 team," Fokuo told the GFA's official website.

"We need to work harder, plan well and have double training and raise our games to the level of the past U17 sides. That’s what myself and the technical team are aiming at so that we can bring back that love for people to see the new breed of U17 players.

"We are working very hard to have a formidable team to represent the nation and so the boys are working hard for us to get that glory back.

"If the U17 side succeeds, we can get a formidable team for the U20 side and the senior national team, the Black Stars so we will do our best, people should watch out for this team.

"I can assure you that the materials I have now, I think despite having a short period to train and prepare for the tournament, they’ll see a new U17 team and nobody will disgrace them at the tournament. They’ll be happy and they’ll see us there in future competitions."

Ghana failed to qualify for the last Afcon after finishing second behind arch-rivals Nigeria at the Wafu B tournament in Niger.

The Black Starlets are two-time continental champions as they are world champions.

"The pandemic has affected us a lot because now we have about a month to prepare the team and so things we need to go through when you have enough time to prepare the team for a competition has been reduced to less than two months of preparation,” Fokuo added.

"We don’t have matches to play now because the teams are locked up. So, we can’t play competitive matches with the local teams. We are going to have a program which will make the boys fit so that we can get closer to where we need, before we get to the match period."

Ghana finished second on their last appearance (2017) at the U17 Afcon, going ahead to participate in the world championship where they reached the quarter-final.

Lionel Messi is in the Barcelona squad for Saturday's friendly with Gimnastic, but Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal will not be involved.

Captain Messi is in line to appear in Ronald Koeman's first match in charge despite having tried to engineer a move away from Barca in the past month.

The Argentina star decided to stay at Camp Nou for the final season of his deal rather than threaten Barca with a lawsuit, having tried unsuccessfully to argue that the clause allowing him to terminate his contract was still valid.

Messi felt he was able to make use of that clause because the 2019-20 season was extended by the coronavirus pandemic, but Barca and La Liga insisted the timeframe in which he would have had to activate it had elapsed.

While Messi is now committed to the club for at least another year, the futures of Vidal and Suarez are far less certain.

Suarez is reported to have been told by Koeman on the phone that he can leave, although AS claim the new Barca coach also made it clear that selling the striker was not his decision.

The Uruguay international has been heavily linked with Juventus, who have allowed Gonzalo Higuain to leave ahead of an expected move to Inter Miami.

Vidal, meanwhile, has been tipped to join Inter to reunite with former Juve boss Antonio Conte.

Barca face Gimnastic at Estadi Johan Cruyff on Saturday in the first of their pre-season fixtures, before playing Girona next Wednesday.

Philippe Coutinho is in the squad, having returned from a loan spell with Bayern Munich, while Francisco Trincao and Pedri could make their first appearances for the club.

Although not selected in the 25-man squad, new signing Miralem Pjanic trained with the Blaugrana for the first time on Saturday.

The midfielder, who joined from Juventus in a deal that could cost up to €65 million (£59m/$73m),  tested positive for Covid-19 last month and did not arrive in Barcelona until Thursday.

Barcelona posted photos of Pjanic and Jean-Clair Todibo, who has also been kept away from the team after a positive coronavirus test, being put through their paces.

Alongside the images, the club wrote: "[Pjanic] and [Todibo] have received the medical green light after recovering from Covid-19, and have already trained at the Ciutat Esportiva."

Barca are due to begin their Liga season against Villarreal in 15 days' time.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are open to doing “some business” before the summer window closes.

The Red Devils have been relatively quiet on the recruitment front so far.

Speculation is rife at Old Trafford, but Netherlands international midfielder Donny van de Beek is the only fresh face to have joined the ranks.

More movement is expected, with United eager to build on the foundations they put down in 2019-20.

Funds are, however, in short supply amid the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus outbreak and Solskjaer has no transfer war chest to work with.

He is, however, continuing to scour the market for shrewd additions – as talk of a possible move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho rumbles on – and the Norwegian is hoping to get bodies on board before the October 5 deadline.

He told MUTV of his transfer plans: “It’s been a strange time and a strange world.

“Financially, I’m sure loads of clubs have suffered. It looks like it as there has not been a lot of activity in the window.

“We’re always looking to improve the squad, scouting players and, if something fits, both the financial bit and the football bit, of course we’ll try to make some business.

“But we can’t know how the markets and how other clubs have been affected either.”

While it remains to be seen whether United can get any more deals wrapped up, Solskjaer is delighted to have pushed through the £35 million ($46m) acquisition of Van de Beek.

He joins an already well-stocked midfield department, but the 23-year-old is being tipped to add extra quality to the Red Devils’ squad.

Solskjaer said of his latest signing: “He’s been training only a couple of days but he’s a bright, bubbly character.

“He wants to learn and the first few signs are positive, not that I doubted that one because I’ve followed him for a few years, of course.

“He’s been a talented youngster and now we felt he was ready to come here. He felt it was the best place to come so, for us, it’s a good transfer.”

United will open their 2020-21 campaign at home to Crystal Palace on September 19.

Temwa Chawinga was on target as Wuhan maintained their unbeaten record after defeating Barbra Banda's Shanghai Shengli 3-0 in a Chinese Women's Super League encounter on Saturday.

After a 1-1 draw with Changchun Dazhong, Wuhan were keen to secure a win to halt Shanghai's winning run for the first time, having fallen two points behind the league leaders.

On their part, Shanghai aimed to keep up their fantastic momentum against Wuhan after opening a two-point gap at the top following Wednesday's 4-1 triumph over Beijing Phoenix.

The Southern African stars have been impressive on their first outings for their respective clubs in the Chinese top-flight, with Malawi striker Chawinga scoring three goals in six games for Wuhan.

While Zambia star Banda has found the back of the net eight times for Shanghai, with one behind topscorer Changchun's Sole Jaimes after Wednesday's hat-trick against Beijing in Kunming.

Chawinga opened the scoring with her individual brilliance to break the deadlock for Wuhan in the top-of-the-table clash with Shanghai.

Hopes for a possible comeback were buried for Shanghai when Wang Shuang and Lu Yueyun also got on the scoresheet to condemn the leaders to their first defeat of the season.

Before the final whistle, chaos broke out on the pitch when Camilla attacked Wu Haiyan from behind after the Brazilian was sent off.

Banda lasted the duration for Shanghai but could not add to her tally nor save her side from their first defeat of the campaign.

Chawinga bagged her fourth goal of the season to ensure Wuhan remain the only unbeaten side in the competition after seven matches.

With this result, Chawinga's Wuhan are top of the standings of the Chinese top-flight with 19 points from seven games, while Banda's Shanghai dropped to second with 18 points from the same number of ties.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Harry Maguire will keep the captain's armband at Manchester United.

The England centre-back was found guilty under Greek law of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and repeated attempts of bribery after an altercation with police on the Greek island of Mykonos, but his 21 months and 10 days prison sentence was suspended.

Maguire has since lodged an appeal and is expected to have a retrial, while the Greek prosecutor has criticised him for refusing to apologise for the incident.

Solskjaer commended the 27-year-old for the way he has reacted to the situation and says he sees no reason to strip him of the captaincy.

"Of course, Harry, as you said, had a difficult summer. He didn’t have a long break," he said in an interview with MUTV.

"His break was different to others as we gave him a few more days and, after, he’s come back and looked fine.

"He’s handled it really well and, of course, I’ll be here to support him. He is going to be our captain. We’ll just leave Harry and his people and the process to run.

"For me, he is a top, an absolute top human being and has always been a positive guy with the right values. So I really hope we can see Harry performing at his best."

Meanwhile, United midfielder Paul Pogba has been forced to miss training sessions as the Red Devils prepare for the new season, having tested positive for Covid-19.

But the Norwegian is confident the France star will return to full fitness and hopes to be able to include him in their opening game of the season.

“Paul’s had a couple of training sessions so he’s lost out on a few sessions because of the virus, of course," he added.

"But Paul is quick to get fit. Of course, he worked really hard to get back after lockdown last time and played the majority of the games. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for next weekend. I am not 100 per cent sure though.”

United's Premier League campaign will begin next week when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.

Kevin De Bruyne says he does not care that Manchester City were unable to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona this summer.

The Premier League side became the favourites to land the 33-year-old attacker after he made it clear that he wanted to leave Camp Nou in a free transfer.

But the Argentina star decided to remain at the club for another year after they insisted they would not let him go unless his €700 milion release clause was paid.

Although De Bruyne understands why City wanted to reunite Messi with coach Pep Guardiola, he insists the squad is already good enough and is not wasting time wondering what might have been.

"I really don’t care. I really don’t. If he would have come it would have helped us because, for me, he has been the best player of all time," the Belgium international told The Daily Mail.

"But I am never looking at what players may come and what may happen, you know.

"You play with the players you have and I think we have a pretty good team in that respect. It would be stupid of me to assume what would happen if a certain player came. It happens in football all the time. People are supposed to come and eventually they don’t."

City would have had to pay Messi astronomical wages to convince him to make the move to England, but De Bruyne reckons they would have made that money back in no time.

"If you can get Messi to your team you are always going to do it. I can see it from a playing perspective and especially as a club," he added.

"Business wise, the amount of sponsors and money it would have attracted would have been huge.

"Even if you would have paid him a load of money, in a certain way you would get it all back. So I could understand the decision in that respect."

De Bruyne has spent four years working with coach Guardiola and has become accustomed to the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss' unique playing philosophy.

However, he admitted that he occasionally wants to try a different style.

"The way he looks at football is different to how many people look at football. He has his philosophy and he stays with it and doesn’t change," he said.

"There is Plan A and there is Plan A. There is no Plan B. For a lot of people that’s difficult to understand. 

"[Wanting a change] can happen in your mind but afterwards you know that Plan A mostly works for us.

"I think everybody is really confident [in the plan] though you are always going to say in any moment of time in a game that you want this or this. Or we should do that.

"But that happens in every club. It’s good to have these discussions because you just need to win the game and sometimes the coach can say whatever he wants.

"If a player just does something and it helps the team win he will be happy."

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack has confirmed he will be back to discharge his duties at the club and that he has not left for good as others may perceive.

The Finnish left the country on Friday night for a 10-day holiday with his family in Finland. Of late, the tactician has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the way some of the decisions are made.

His predecessors Dylan Kerr, Hassan Oktay, and Ze Maria had initially used a 'holiday' reason to exit the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants.

"If it is all about leaving, I could have told them I am not coming back," Polack told Goal.

"I am not a coward to leave and not to come back. I have a two-way ticket; after finishing my business with family at home, Gor Mahia will be my next step in preparations for the 2020/21 KPL season."

The tactician has also stated he is not worried by the exit of players. David Mapigano left the club for the Tanzania Mainland League giants while Dickson Ambundo opted to join promoted side Dodoma Jiji FC. 

Assistant captain Joash Onyango was signed by champions Simba SC while Bonface Omondi opted for Wazito FC.

"We cannot force any player to stay and play for Gor Mahia," Polack continued.

"At the end of the day, the club is always bigger than any individual. We will rebuild with the remaining players as well as the new signings. It is not a big deal, we will rise again."

The KPL might resume in October, and the tactician has revealed players are already preparing.

"We are training in small groups to ensure players return to full fitness before the season starts. The small groups are meant to keep social distancing and at the same time ensure players gain." 

The 2019/20 season was annulled by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on April 30. Gor Mahia were crowned and given the right to represent the country in the Caf Champions League.

Chemelil Sugar were relegated from the top-tier alongside fellow Sugar Millers Sony Sugar.

Nairobi City Stars and Bidco were also promoted to the KPL.