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How Al-Duhail’s Olunga was inspired by Van Persie

The Brazilians know they cannot afford to drop points this time around but the Citizens need the points to move up the ladder

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to their get their league title defence back on track when they visit Cape Town City at Loftus Versveld Stadium on Monday night. 

The Brazilians have already drawn their last two games, dropping four crucial points in the process. 

They now find themselves six points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs with a handful of matches to go before the end of the season. 

City, on the other hand, have an opportunity to move into the top eight bracket but they will need to beat Sundowns to move above both Highlands Park and Golden Arrows.  

Game Cape Town City vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Date Monday, August 17
Time 8:00 pm SA Time

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport 4. 

Online Streaming TV Channel
DStv.com/DStv Now App SS4 

Squads & Team News

After securing a 1-0 win over Chippa United this past weekend, the Citizens aren't expected to make changes to the team for the Sundowns game. 

Jan Olde Riekerink will be without club captain Thamsanqa Mkhize who injured himself in the previous game and had to be replaced by Ebrahim Seedat. 

This means there are likely to be changes to the back four that started against the Chilli Boys for this match. 

His leading goalscorer Kermit Erasmus is one of the players Sundowns should be wary about, especially after he scored against Chippa United on the weekend. 

However, Sundowns cannot take their eyes off Fagrie Lakay who terrorised the Chippa United defence with his pace and set up Erasmus for his 10th league goal of the season. 

Abbubaker Mobara and Mduduzi Mdantsane are the two players still trying to find their feet at City, and they have a bigger role to play in the spine of the team. 

Pitso Mosimane is still reeling from the fact that a few of his players are still out injured - including Thapelo Morena and Anele Ngcongca while Mauricio Affonso is likely to miss the remaining matches of the season as he's still stuck in Uruguay

However, Mosimane has a pool of players to choose from with the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Rivaldo Coetzee and Keletso Makgalwa available for selection. 

It will be interesting to see if the Sundowns coach will continue to use Lebohang Maboe as his right-back after having done so in the last two matches. 

The return of Gaston Sirino has given Sundowns options in the attacking third, and the fact that he grabbed an assist in the last game means he may be guaranteed a start against City. 

Sphelele Mkhulise scored Sundowns' only goal against Highlands Park on Friday and it remains to be seen if he will keep his place in the team. 

Match Preview

In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and City have met 10 times across all competitions since 2016. 

Sundowns have managed four wins over the Mother City-based outfit while City have beaten their Tshwane opponents five times with the other match ending in a draw.

The draw came the last time these two teams met in August 2019 - Kekana opened the scoring for Sundowns but Edmilson Dove denied them maximum points with a 25th-minute strike. 

Erasmus is City's leading goalscorer with 10 goals - none of his goals came from the penalty spot while Themba Zwane is Sundowns' leading goalscorer with nine goals, four of which were from the penalty spot this season. 

Original author: Ernest Makhaya

Ten Hag: Only Mbappe is better than Rashford

The former Leopards coach is understood to have held talks with Timu Ya Wananchi who sent a delegation to Kinshasa

After Young Africans (Yanga SC) dispatched their delegation to the Democratic Republic of Congo, rumours are now rife they are about to conclude talks with coach Florent Ibenge.

The Timu Ya Wananchi delegation was led by the Competition Committee chair and the representative of GSM, the club’s sponsors Hersi Saidi.

Yanga are in the market for a new coach after parting ways with head coach Luc Eymael, whose half-a-season stint was marred with controversy as well as assistant coach Boniface Mukwasa.

Mukwasa who has so far joined Premier League side Ruvu Shooting.

Saidi visited AS Vita, a club that is being headed by Ibenge further fuelling the rumour mill the 58-year old may agree to join the 27-time Tanzanian league champions.

Ibenge is one of the experienced African coaches having been in charge of Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua a job he started in April 2012. After the short sojourn in China, he came and took over the Linafoot bigwigs in 2014.

He was appointed the Democratic Republic of Congo national team head coach in 2014 and combined the role with AS Vita duties. Ibenge led The Leopards to the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) title.

He stepped down last year from his national duties and returned to AS Vita.

Yanga are understood to have not concluded their transfer business yet and the visit to AS Vita could also involve talks between two players; Mukoko Tonombe and Tuisila Kisinda.

In a recent interview, Congolese striker Makusu Mundele confirmed Ibenge had asked him whether he was ready to join the Tanzanian side.

“The coach [Florent Ibenge] called me and asked whether I am ready to play in Tanzania. I told him that I had received an offer from Simba SC but had never received any tangible interest from Yanga,” Mundele said then.

“He told me to make my mind up quickly if I want to play for Yanga so that he can link me with a top official of the club for the purposes of negotiations.”

The Jangwani street-based outfit has already signed midfielder Peter Zawadi Mauya, left-back Yassin Mustapha, striker Waziri Junior, centre-back Bakari Mwamnyeto, Farid Mussa Shaha, Yassin Mustapha, Sacoub Songne, Kibwana Shomari and Abdallah Shaibu.

Original author: Kiplagat Sang

Video: Solskjaer plays down Fernandes, Lindelof clash as United bow out of Europa League

Video: Solskjaer plays down Fernandes, Lindelof clash as United bow out of Europa League | Goal.com

UEFA Europa League

07:09 BST 17/08/2020

Fernandes Lindelof argument

Solskjaer has played down a clash between Fernandes and Lindelof after Sevilla scored the game's winning goal

Original author: Goal

ISL: Mashoor Shereef set to join NorthEast United from Chennai City FC

NorthEast are making moves in the transfer market to bolster their squad ahead of the next season...

Chennai City FC's Mashoor Shereef is set to join Indian Super League (ISL) NorthEast United,  Goal has learnt. 

Shereef had been a linchpin for Chennai City at the centre of the park in I-League. Under Akbar Nawas the player had grown in stature as the season progressed. 

He was an indispensable member of the squad and appeared in all the matches barring the one against East Bengal, as he was serving an indirect suspension. He scored two goals during the season and both of them came against NEROCA. 

The 27-year-old Shereef initially played as a forward for Chennai City before coach Akbar Nawaz converted the stocky player into a defender after one of his foreign centre-backs was unavailable in a game.

His performances at the heart of the defence impressed the coaching staff and he has played there since.

But Shereef is a versatile player and can play in defensive midfield too which is something NorthEast coach Khalid Jamil was impressed by.

Previously, NorthEast United had signed Ponif Vaz, Gurjinder Kumar, Lalkhawpuimawia & Rochharzela for the 2020-21 season. THe Highlanders area also set to sign PM Britto and Sanjiban Ghosh to strengthen their side.

 

 

 

 

 

Original author: Soham Mukherjee

Frenkie de Jong 'flattered' by Man Utd interest but insists he's happy at Barcelona

Kerala Blasters have added a defender to their squad for the 2020-21 Indian Super League season...

Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters have added Mumbai-based defender Umesh Perambra to their squad for the upcoming season, Goal has learnt. 

The 23-year-old centre-back could be a useful addition to a squad that is undergoing an overhaul after disappointing finishes on the league table in the last few years.

Umesh, who is the brother of former Mumbai FC player Ritesh Perambra, was a student of Mumbai's Thakur College and made his mark at the inter-college championship organized by the Reliance Football Youth Sports (RFYS) a few years ago. 

Umesh was one of the three college students who were picked by the scouts to attend trials for the India U-22 camp in 2017 and the defender was one of the eight players picked by Stephen Constantine for the camp ahead of the AFC U-22 qualifiers that year. He has played for the now-defunct Mumbai FC and was part of the Jamshedpur reserves during the 2019-20 season.

 

 

Umesh has also represented Ozone FC in the I-League 2nd Division.

Kerala Blasters have roped Lithuanian Karolis Skinkys as the sporting director and Spaniard Kibu Vicuna as head coach and recently extended the contracts of their young players such as Sahal Samad and Rahul KP. After a disappointing season riddled with injuries, the Yellow Army will be looking to get into the top four in the 2020-21 season of ISL which will be held in Goa.

Original author: Nisanth V Easwar

Transfer rumours: Chelsea give in to Lukaku demands; Bayern prepare new Mane bid

Watch all the highlights from this week's UEFA Europa League semifinals...

The semifinals of the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League is up and running after the Covid-19 enforced break. 2017 winners Manchester United were knocked out by Sevilla.

Watch all the highlights from the games right here:

Luuk de Jong fired Sevilla into another Europa League final as the LaLiga side won 2-1 in Cologne to shatter Manchester United's hopes of silverware. Winners of this competition in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Sevilla took another stride towards glory after resisting heavy pressure from United in this semi-final.

Original author: Goal

Joan Laporta demands stricter rules for 'problem' state-owned clubs

The centre-half wasn't able to make an intervention as his team conceded a costly goal

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Victor Lindelof needs to be replaced at the heart of the Red Devils' defence as the team crashed out of the Europa League to Sevilla.

Despite going ahead through an early Bruno Fernandes penalty, Sevilla hit back through Suso in the first half and Luuk de Jong scored the winner 12 minutes from time to record a famous 2-1 victory on Sunday.

De Jong's winning goal saw the striker find space in between Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the box, before clinically finishing the cross past David de Gea.

Scholes was adamant that the entire Red Devils' back four was to blame for the go-ahead strike, but singled out Lindelof in particular for criticism.

He also agreed with United captain Harry Maguire that the superior team lost on the night.

"As much as United deserved to win, there’s no doubt about that, they were the better team, you have to say the second goal, the defensive part of that was shocking," Scholes told BT Sport.

"Lindelof and [Harry] Maguire, both out past the near post, there’s one centre-forward, Lindelof has to see him. Then Wan-Bissaka has to cover for him if he doesn’t think he sees him.

"Surely Lindelof as a centre-half, he’s got his centre-forward, he’s got to be looking at him, his body angle’s all wrong.

"If they avoid that I think they will go on and score a goal because Sevilla looks knackered. They didn’t look like they were going to create a chance other than that one.

"There’s a lot wrong with the goal. You can almost blame the whole back four for this goal. [Brandon] Williams doesn’t get to the ball, where Maguire is, I don’t know. But for me Lindelof is the biggest problem."

With the transfer window now open, Scholes reiterated his view that the Red Devils need a new centre-back to play alongside Maguire - even though the team's defence has performed well in recent times.

"I think they could do with a centre-half, I’ve said that all along," Scholes said. 

"I’m not sure Lindelof is going to be good enough as a partner for Maguire. I think they need a more dominant defender next to him.

"Lindelof’s alright, their defensive record over the last 15-20 games has been very good, but a dominant centre-half next to Maguire, just to cover his slight weaknesses."

Post-match, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the team needed new signings if they were to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City in the league next season.

The Red Devils will now enjoy a short break before the new Premier League season begins on September 12.
Original author: Goal

Liverpool's Champions League tie with RB Leipzig in jeopardy due to travel ban

The Red Devils have enjoyed remarkable success from the spot over the past 12 months

Manchester United ended their 2019-20 campaign on Sunday with yet another penalty as they lost to Sevilla 2-1 in the Europa League semi-finals

While Bruno Fernandes converted a first-half spot kick for the Red Devils, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were unable to find another way past their Spanish opponents, who scored the decisive goal with 12 minutes remaining via Luuk de Jong. 

Though another season without a piece of silverware for United, it proved to be a successful one in terms of penalties won, with the club awarded a remarkable 22 penalties across all competitions. 

That number is the most penalties won in a single season by a club in Europe's top five leagues since 2015-16 when Barcelona were awarded 24. 

The Red Devils' recent fortune from the spot saw them win a season-high 14 penalties in the Premier League with Solskjaer's side managing to convert 10 of those. In comparison, league champions Liverpool were awarded just five spot-kicks, while Everton, Newcastle United and Sheffield all won just one each. 

Fernandes has personally taken 14 penalties in all competitions this season, while playing for both Sporting and United, with the Portuguese star converting all of them as he enjoyed a successful season in front of goal. 

Prior to Fernandes' arrival at Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford was generally the player that stepped up to spot, with both he and Anthony Martial missing penalties earlier in the season in a game against Norwich. Paul Pogba also failed to convert a penalty in a clash with Wolves that ended 1-1 in August 2019. 

In the Europa League, the Red Devils won five penalties and managed convert all of them as they progressed to the final four. 

Solskjaer's side only managed to score via spot-kicks in their final two games in the competition with their 46 shots across the two matches failing to convert on scoresheet. 

Speaking after the loss against Sevilla, Solskjaer admitted that the club will need to make signings over the summer if they are compete for silverware next season. 

"We need to strengthen the squad depth of course because it's going to be a long season and only a couple weeks rest until we get going again,” Solskjaer said. 

“Of course we'll keep pushing and keep demanding more of players we have but we're looking to improve. It's a strange one. The league starts very quickly but the market's open for so long. We've got to be good, smart and clever.

“I cannot say when or if transfers will be done but we are looking at it and we'll have to sit down because it’s a quick turnaround. We've got to be 100 per cent sure when we make those deals.”

Original author: Josh Thomas

'Normally we wouldn't look at Preston to solve injury crisis' - Klopp backs Liverpool signing Davies to rise to Premier League challenge

The Italian manager has stressed his side are focused on themselves and not representing their country

Antonio Conte vowed Inter should not be portrayed as Italy's footballing "saviours" as they battle for Europa League glory. 

A semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk awaits coach Conte and his team on Monday in Dusseldorf, with the prospect of ending the season with silverware. 

Attentions have turned to Inter at home after Juventus fell to Lyon and Napoli lost to Barcelona in the Champions League last-16, while Atalanta bowed out to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the same competition. 

The Nerazzurri represent Italy's last hope for a European trophy this season, but Conte dismissed the notion they are playing for the nation. 

The former Italy and Juventus boss said in a news conference on Sunday: "We don't consider ourselves the saviours of the country, we've made our journey without looking at the others. 

"Our goal is to improve ourselves. Personally, if we achieved a European success I would be happy for the club, not for myself. I'm not thinking about my personal record but about the club that decided to hire me." 

Conte looks set to have to cope without the injured Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean battling to recover from a hamstring injury. 

"Sanchez has been out for three quarters of the season," Conte said. "Now we realise what kind of weapon we are missing. It is normal that not having him available is disappointing for me and denies me a fundamental element."

At least Inter should have Romelu Lukaku available, with the former Everton and Manchester United striker having scored in his last nine matches in this competition. 

That run began in 2014, in his Everton days, and Lukaku is the first player to have strung together such a run either in the Europa League or its forerunner, the UEFA Cup. 

He has been involved in 15 goals during that sequence, scoring 12 times and having three assists. 

Inter are through to the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time since they won the Champions League in the 2009-10 campaign, but Conte is taking nothing for granted about going any further. 

He described Shakhtar as "a team full of talented players", saying Inter would show them "great respect". 

Conte closed down questioning about Inter's transfer plans. Club president Steven Zhang has big ambitions for the club, with even Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi linked to Inter recently. 

"At this time it is inappropriate to talk about the transfer market and other players," Conte said. 

"We are playing the season finale and I can only thank my squad for what they've done during the season and after lockdown, they have been commendable."

Jose Mourinho gives updated timeline on Harry Kane return

The 21-year-old winger has lauded his team’s attitude following their comprehensive victory over the Pandas in Sunday’s Belgian elite division game

Krepin Diatta has lauded Club Brugge’s mentality in their 3-0 triumph over KAS Eupen in Sunday’s Belgian elite division encounter.

With Youssouph Badji giving Philippe Clement’s men a first-half lead, the 21-year-old winger sealed victory with a second half double while Ruud Vormer headed home the fourth.

After putting up an awe-inspiring performance, the Senegal international was replaced in the 87th minute by Nigeria’s David Okereke

After losing to Antwerp in the Belgian Cup and Sporting Charleroi in the league’s opening game, the result at Kehrwegstadion helped them end their poor run.

Speaking to club website after the encounter, Diatta praised his team for grinding out the result against Benat San Jose's Pandas – which he attributed to their positive mindset.

“I hope that with this 4-0 away win, we have eliminated all the negativity from the previous two games. Let us say that this is a much-needed victory for us,” the Oslo Academy product told club website.

“I thought we got off to a good start and after Badji made it 1-0 with a low slider, we had the game under control.

“Despite the very bad weather conditions, we managed to keep Eupen far from our goal. After the break, we tried to grab Eupen by the throat and we did it nicely.

“Even at the waterlogged pitch due to the continuous rainfall, we were still able to make some nice attacking moves.”

He also expressed his delight with his beauty which helped him complete his double against the Pandas. Diatta unleashed a screamer from 25-year that left goalkeeper Ortwin de Wolf stunned.

“Yes, the ball went in very nicely,” he continued. “I’m also quite happy with my second goal. Siebe poked the ball deep at the right time and after some dribbling, it was easy for me to make it 3-0.

“Today, we showed the right mentality and that should be a morale booster for us. It was a great team performance and we are happy to win our first away game by a four-goal margin.”

Club Brugge moved to sixth with three points from two games. They are guests of league leaders Beerschot on Sunday, with Eupen chasing their first win against Kortrijk on Friday.

Original author: Shina Oludare

Yanga SC reveal jersey number for new signing Razak

The Spanish coach has backed the Red Devils for a bright future despite a disappointing defeat

Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui predicts Manchester United have an "extraordinary" future but is adamant his team are deserving of their place in the Europa League final.

United were beaten 2-1 in Cologne on Sunday as their season ends in disappointment at the semi-final stage of the competition Sevilla have already won five times – three in its current guise and twice as the UEFA Cup.

After an even first half, which saw Bruno Fernandes and Suso net for either side, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men began the second period in devastating fashion and crafted a host of chances.

But they could not find a way past the inspired Yassine Bounou, and once United began to fade, Sevilla hit them on the break – Luuk de Jong netting the decisive goal 12 minutes from time.

Lopetegui remains convinced United are on a positive path, even if he believes Sevilla fully deserve their spot in the final.

"It was a game of resilience, of being able to compete to the limit as we have always done," Lopetegui told Movistar.

"Manchester United were the best team in England after the return from lockdown, they have an extraordinary path ahead of them.

"There are few teams that have the central game of United. In the first half we managed to control them, in the beginning of the second half we didn't and Bounou was fantastic. Then it balanced out and we had options to hurt them.

"I've great happiness for the boys, the fans...it is a difficult team to face and they deserved the reward. We have achieved it and now we rest. When you get to a final, what you want is to win it."

Sevilla will play either Inter or Shakhtar Donetsk in the final on Friday with the pair to face off in their semi-final on Monday. 

Following the Red Devils' Europa League exit, Solskjaer declared the club need new signings if they are to end their now three-year run without a trophy. 

United continue to be linked with Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho and Paul Scholes is adamant the attacker would have scored on Sunday if he was lining up for the club

James avoids lengthy ban, could play WWC final

The playmaker's rights will head to the Pacific Northwest side, who confirmed that a transfer to Europe is imminent

OL Reign announced they have acquired the rights to midfielder Rose Lavelle in a trade with the Washington Spirit, with the U.S. national team star expected to join Manchester City imminently.

The Spirit received a first-round draft pick in 2022 in the deal, along with $100,000 in allocation money, and additional allocation money conditioned upon Lavelle’s future playing status in the NWSL.

OL Reign confirmed that Lavelle would be leaving NWSL after the trade, with The Athletic reporting the midfielder will join Manchester City next week on a one-year deal with a mutual option.

"The agreement with Washington was made with the understanding that Lavelle is expected to sign an agreement to play outside the NWSL with immediate effect," OL Reign said in a statement. "As a result of the trade, OL Reign will control Lavelle’s future playing rights in the NWSL."

Following the end of the month-long Challenge Cup in July the NWSL currently has no more matches scheduled in 2020, though there are reports the league could return in some capacity next month.

As players look for guaranteed minutes outside the league, Lavelle will join USWNT team-mate Sam Mewis in trading NWSL for Man City, with Mewis signing a deal last week. 

“Our project with OL Reign is ambitious, which requires taking smart, strategic risks to achieve our objectives,” said OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti. “We all know that Rose is a special player, so for me this is a chance we had to take.

"I very much hope that we will have the chance to work with Rose in the future, and I am excited about supporting her as she works to achieve her destiny as one of the best players in the world.”

Lavelle spent three years with the Spirit but made just 21 appearances for the club as a combination of injuries, international duty and the Covid-19 pandemic reduced her time on the pitch. 

“Rose truly is a world-class player, and working with her has been an incredibly enjoyable experience," Spirit head coach Richie Burke said in a club release. 

"I can’t thank her enough for her work on behalf of our club and for the relationship we shared during our time together. I wish her the very best of luck and the good fortune to stay healthy as she moves into this next phase of her career.”

Lavelle has scored 12 goals and added seven assists in 45 appearances for the USWNT, including a Bronze Ball-winning performance in 2019 as the U.S. won their second straight World Cup title. 

Original author: Goal

Raphinha's agent reveals Liverpool 'like' Leeds star

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world
Original author: Goal

Gregg Berhalter hails USMNT's 2-1 over Costa Rica

The Red Devils boss felt his side created enough opportunities to have won the game comfortably

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United made life hard for themselves with wasteful finishing against Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals.

A 2-1 defeat in Cologne  brought United's season to a disappointing end from their manager's perspective.

He said there were "tired legs, tired minds" on the pitch in the closing stages, after Luuk de Jong poached Sevilla's 78th-minute winner.

"It's one of them that if you take your chances you win comfortably," Solskjaer told BT Sport.

"But that's not always the case in football. We had moments and spells in both halves where we should have, could have, scored quite a few.

"But when you don't take them it's going to be hard. We've got a young team – we had three years average less than them – and I thought in some spells today we showed this group of players will have to learn and get the consistency in their play."

Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford all passed up good chances, with United's goal coming from a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the ninth minute.

Suso equalised soon after, with De Jong taking advantage of slack defending to score the close-range winner later in the game.

It means United have been eliminated this season at the semi-final stage in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League – the first English top-flight side to suffer that fate.

United manager Solskjaer said his team were "scintillating at times" and applauded the performance of Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who made one top-class save after another. 

"The keeper's had a fantastic game," Solskjaer said. "Of course it's disappointing we don't score because we know we've got players who've got that quality, but then again, that's the game."

He felt Fernandes should have had a second penalty when he was bundled over at one stage, and lamented the Sevilla goals both coming from crosses that United could not handle.

Fernandes has made the difference since his arrival from Sporting at the end of January, with United surging to third in the Premier League and maintaining their European run until they hit this stumbling block.

Solskjaer said he would be looking to strengthen his squad during the close-season break but stressed: "We've come quite a distance from where we were in February."

Jose Mourinho admits he won't be given Man City amounts of cash to fix Tottenham problems

United fell short in the Europa League semi-final and the performance raised questions about the strength in depth of the squad

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Manchester United need signings if they are to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title next season.

The Norwegian didn’t make a change until the 87th minute of United’s 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League semi-final on Sunday night in Cologne, as a lack of squad depth meant the manager did not have suitable options to change the game off the bench.

“You know at times in games like this when you create so many chances and openings it's difficult to take players with goals in them out of the pitch. Mason [Greenwood], Marcus [Rashford], Anthony [Martial], Bruno [Fernandes] — they're all goalscorers and they've been fantastic for us,” Solskjaer said when explaining why he didn’t make an earlier change.

“They created enough today to score. Yeah, we looked a little tired towards the end but we've done excellent and I made the decisions I made.”

Pushed on how hard it will be for his side close the gap in the league, Solskjaer suggested they need more players to help them improve.  

“We need to keep improving, keep doing what they've done every single day. They've worked so hard, [have the] right attitude and mentality. We need to strengthen the squad depth of course because it's going to be a long season and only a couple weeks rest until we get going again,” Solskjaer explained.

“[We need to] keep on improving what we're doing day in and day out and believe in what we're doing. You can see at times today what we can be about and what we are about.”

A right-sided attacker, centre-back, midfielder and striker are amongst the positions United are looking to strengthen but with the coronavirus pandemic causing financial uncertainty, it is not known how many players they will be able to bring in before the window closes on October 5.

“It's going to be a strange summer. We've only got a couple weeks away from each other until we get going again. That's going to be a mental challenge,” Solskjaer said. “Of course we'll keep pushing and keep demanding more of players we have but we're looking to improve. It's a strange one. The league starts very quickly but the market's open for so long. We've got to be good, smart and clever.

“I cannot say when or if transfers will be done but we are looking at it and we'll have to sit down because it’s a quick turnaround. We've got to be 100 per cent sure when we make those deals.”

Original author: Charlotte Duncker

Liverpool will support Van Dijk 'like a good wife is waiting when the husband is in jail', says Klopp

The Portuguese star was spotted in a heated exchange with his Swedish team-mate after a costly goal was conceded

Manchester United attacker Bruno Fernandes has played down an on-field argument with defender Victor Lindelof after seeing his side crash out of the Europa League .

Despite Fernandes opening the scoring for the Red Devils after just nine minutes on Sunday , Sevilla would prove too strong with a 78th-minute strike from Luuk de Jong ensuring the La Liga side progressed to another final courtesy of a 2-1 win. 

Following Sevilla's decisive goal, Fernandes was filmed in a fiery exchange with Lindelof as the duo seemingly debated who was to blame for allowing the Spaniards to strike. 

United were unable to find an equaliser after De Jong's goal and have now been eliminated from European competition by a Spanish opponent for a third straight campaign. 

Speaking post-match, Fernandes stressed his argument with Lindelof was 'normal' and a natural part of the game when there's so much at stake. 

"It's normal when you concede. It's not about me or Victor. What happened between me and Victor is normal," Fernandes told BT Sport .

"It will happen many more times in football. We need to see the mistakes everybody did and improve."

Across their past two matches, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have taken a total of 46 shots but have relied on penalties from Fernandes to find the back of the net. 

The Portuguese star converted all 14 penalties he has taken this season and believes the Red Devils had to make more of their strong beginning to the match against Sevilla. 

"More than a positive start. We played a great game and created a lot of chances. But in football it's not enough - we missed a lot in front of goal," he said. 

"We are not satisfied about this because we wanted to go through. Now it's time to rest and refresh the legs. Their keeper did very well, but the quality we have we should have scored."

Manchester United have now gone three straight seasons without winning a major trophy - their longest such silverware drought since 1989. 

Despite that lack of trophies, the Red Devils have shown signs of progress this season with the club finishing third in the Premier League. 

Original author: Josh Thomas

Man Utd target Sancho to miss Super Cup date with Bayern Munich due to respiratory infection

The skipper rued the team's profligacy in front of goal as they bowed out of their third semi-final this season

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire said that "the best team lost" as the Red Devils bowed out of the Europa League 2-1 to Sevilla at the semi-final stage.

Despite taking an early lead via a Bruno Fernandes penalty, United couldn't hold on to their lead with Suso equalising before half-time and substitute Luuk de Jong striking 12 minutes from time.

The Premier League side controlled the match for long periods and could have taken a second-half lead on numerous occasions if it wasn't for the superb goalkeeping of stopper Yassine Bounou.

Maguire believes his team deserved to get through to the final but was disappointed they failed to progress from the last four of a competition for the third time this season.

"It's difficult," Maguire said to BT Sport. "The boys are devastated. We created numerous chances. The best team lost. They punished us for missing chances. They didn't make many chances to be honest.

"We conceded from two crosses which is not good enough.We worked our socks off and deserved to win and get through. We fell short in a semi-final for the third time this year.

"We have a good group of lads. Losing is not acceptable. Getting to semi-finals isn't acceptable. Improvement made this year is massive. We played a good Sevilla team - another day we win it. Losing is not acceptable for this club."

Manchester United's season has now been confirmed as trophy-less, with the club losing to Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final, Chelsea in the FA Cup last four and now Sevilla in the Europa League at the same stage.

Maguire promised that trophies would soon return to Old Trafford and he hoped the team could build on their top-four finish in the recent Premier League season.

"[Trophies will] happen soon - we want to win it as soon as possible," Maguire said. "If we take another giant step next season we'll improve again.

"Tonight we turned up and the best team lost. Perhaps that bit of inexperience cost us - we shouldn't have conceded that second goal."

The Red Devils will now break for a little over three weeks before the new Premier League season begins on September 12.

Original author: Kieran Francis

'We don't deserve to leave so soon' - Griezmann reveals Barca regret after Champions League exit to PSG

A third semi-final defeat of the season means the Red Devils end the campaign without a silverware once more

Manchester United are now enduring their longest run without a trophy in 31 years after defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League ensured they would end the 2019-20 campaign empty handed.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side made the perfect start in Cologne when Bruno Fernandes put them ahead from the penalty spot after nine minutes, United’s 22nd spot kick in all competitions this season.

However, Sevilla were level before half-time when Sergio Reguilon's cross from the left was converted by former Liverpool forward Suso.

United had a host of chances after the break but found Sevilla goalkeeper Bono in superb form.

They were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Sevilla substitute Luuk de Jong scored from close range with 12 minutes left to send the Spanish side through and ensure United reached a series of grim milestones.

They have now been eliminated from European competition by Spanish opposition for the third consecutive campaign, also losing to Sevilla in the Champions League last 16 in 2017-18 and Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League quarter-finals.

It is the third semi-final defeat for United this season, having lost to Manchester City in the last four of the Carabao Cup in January and to Chelsea in last month’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. United are now the first team to ever lose both domestic cup semi-finals and a European semi-final in the same season.

Defeat against Sevilla also means the Red Devils finish without a major trophy for a third season in a row – their longest run since four successive seasons without a major trophy between 1985 and 1989.

When assessing this latest defeat, Solskjaer will likely rue a lack of cutting edge in front of goal.

His side managed 46 shots across the Sevilla game and their semi-final win against FC Copenhagen, with 21 of those hitting the target, but they only managed to score two penalties.

Victory for Sevilla meanwhile continued their remarkable run in this competition. The Spanish side have now reached their sixth UEFA Cup/Europa League final, at least two more times than any other side in the history of the competition.

They have won the trophy on every occasion they reached the final, including three times in the last six years.

Original author: Goal

LIVE: Liverpool out to end losing run vs. Everton

The Senegal international scored a second-half double as the Blue-Black cruised to a big away win against Benat San Jose’s men

Krepin Diatta found the net twice as Club Brugge secured a convincing 4-0 away win at KAS Rupen in Sunday’s Belgian top-flight encounter.

The Blue-Black came into this game on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Sporting Charleroi in the Belgium elite division’s opening day.

Against the Pandas, however, Philippe Clement’s men got their first win of the season with two Senegal internationals contributing significantly at the Kehrwegstadion.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Youssouph Badji put the visitors ahead after a one-time strike from Eduard Sobol’s assist as goalkeeper Ortwin de Wolf was caught flat-footed.

Club Brugge dominated the opening 45 minutes but were only able to take a goal lead into the half-time break.

They continued the second-half in dominant fashion and were two goals up in the 59th minute through Diatta, who scored from Badji’s assist after Siebe Schrijvers’s initial strike was saved by De Wolf.

On the other end, Ghana’s Isaac Nuhu and Knowledge Musona threatened the visitors’ backline for the first time but they met strong resistant from the Blue-Black backline.

Diatta completed his brace in the 69th minute after powering home a 25-yard screamer after receiving a pass from Siebe Schrijvers.

Ruud Vormer completed the rout in the 76th minute after heading home a cross from Hans Vanaken as Club Brugge sealed all points at stake.

While Nigeria’s Emmanuel Dennis missed out of the game because of injury, his compatriot David Okereke came in for two-goal hero Diatta with three minutes left to play.

Michael Krmencik replaced Badji in the 77th minute. Angola’s Clinton Mata was in action from start to finish, while Cote d’Ivoire’s Odilon Kossounou was an unused substitute.

For Benat San Jose's team, Musona came off for Marciano Aziz in the 77th minute, with Ghana's Emmanuel Adjei replacing Cote d'Ivoire's Konan N'Dri in the 90th minute.

Guinea Bissau's Carlos Embalo saw action for 65 minutes before his substitution of Julien Ngoy.

With this win, Club Brugge moved to sixth with three points from two games. They are guests of league leaders Beerschot on Sunday, with Eupen chasing their first win against Kortrijk on Friday.

Original author: Shina Oludare

Bayern suffer shock loss away at Eintracht

Dutch striker Luuk de Jong came off the bench to shatter Manchester United's Europa League hopes, sending Sevilla through to the final.

Luuk de Jong fired Sevilla into another Europa League final as the LaLiga side won 2-1 in Cologne to shatter Manchester United's hopes of silverware.

Winners of this competition in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Sevilla took another stride towards glory after resisting heavy pressure from United in this semi-final.

United went ahead with a Bruno Fernandes penalty, but former Liverpool fringe player Suso levelled for Sevilla.

And De Jong connected sweetly with a cross swung over by Jesus Navas in the 78th minute to send Julen Lopetegui's side through to Friday's showpiece.

United took a ninth-minute lead when Fernandes showed a familiar swagger in driving his penalty past Yassine Bounou, after a shabby challenge from Diego Carlos on Marcus Rashford.

Sevilla were not waiting long for their equaliser, though. It came in the 26th minute, with Suso driving past David de Gea after left-back Sergio Reguilon broke forward and crossed low and out of reach of United's defenders.

Anthony Martial, Rashford, Fernandes and Mason Greenwood all had great openings for United, who dominated large parts of the game but could not put away a goal in open play.

Bounou was outstanding, and there were concerns for United when Sevilla asked for a penalty as a free-kick from Joan Jordan hit Fernandes on the elbow.

Sevilla were out of luck then but the winner soon arrived, with United’s defenders switching off.

De Jong was a Premier League flop during a short spell at Newcastle United six years ago, and he was only a substitute on this occasion after a goal drought.

But he would prove the Sevilla hero, half-volleying home the precise delivery from former Manchester City winger Navas.


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