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Allan Saint-Maximin has been warned off a move to Manchester at either United or City, with Chris Waddle telling the highly-rated Newcastle winger that it would be “pointless” for him to give up being a key man on Tyneside for bench duty elsewhere.

The 23-year-old Frenchman has thrived at St James’ Park during his debut campaign in England.

He was snapped up from Nice in the summer of 2019 and has caught the eye with his direct running and creativity in the final third of the field.

With there plenty of potential to still be unlocked in his game, it has been suggested that Saint-Maximin could take another step up the footballing ladder at some stage in the near future.

Premier League rivals have been keeping a close eye on his development at Newcastle, while Paris Saint-Germain have also seen a move mooted, but Waddle believes staying put would be the best decision for a forward who needs regular game time.

The former Magpies star told the Racing Post: “While you can have too many flair players in a team, I love to see players who do something different and I like Allan Saint-Maximin.

“His performances have been eye-catching even if he would surely love to play further up the pitch as he did at Nice before he moved to Newcastle.

“Sometimes he may be guilty of displaying his skills in dangerous areas but Steve Bruce seems to take that into account and they get on well.

“He's 23 and his name is starting to be linked with other clubs. I see Manchester United have been mentioned and maybe there's a bit too much agent talk going on, but I don't think now is the time for him to be worrying about that.

“He could get a move to somewhere like Manchester City and he might have the chance to play in a more advanced position but his chances would be severely limited.

“That would be pointless. You have to play. I'll say it time and again.

“What would be the point of starting a couple of FA Cup matches and making 20 appearances as a substitute?

“He's in a much better place at Newcastle and I would urge him not to make the move too soon. 

“It's fine when you are 36 and you just want to be part of something or you are looking after your bank balance. He's got most of his career ahead of him, so this is no time to waste it on the bench.”

Saint-Maximin has taken in 28 appearances for Newcastle this season, with four goals and seven assists contributed across those outings.

Manchester United’s front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood boast the “special” potential to rival Barcelona’s famous ‘MSN’ frontline of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, claims Michael Owen.

A fearsome attacking unit has been pieced together at Old Trafford, with two members of that trident stepping out of a famed academy system to become senior stars.

Rashford and Greenwood have flourished on a first-team stage, with France international Martial complementing their qualities on the flanks while filling a central number nine berth.

Their collective goal return for 2019-20, which is now up to 60 and counting, has topped that of lauded domestic rivals at Liverpool and Manchester City.

Plenty are suggesting that they could be the ones to rekindle former glories at Old Trafford, with all three at an age which suggests that there is still plenty more to come.

Owen is among those expecting big things from an exciting trio, with the former United striker going as far as to suggest that a standing among the most iconic frontlines of the modern era can be taken up by Rashford, Martial and Greenwood.

The ex-Red Devils frontman told Premier League Productions: “They have got pace, they’ve got skill, great touch and they are backed up by a couple of players in behind them that can feed them the bullets.

“[Paul] Pogba is absolutely brilliant and of course [Bruno] Fernandes has had a great start to his Manchester United career.

“In those five players we are seeing something very, very special that could compete at the very highest level.

“We talk about the great attack of Man City, Liverpool and Barcelona over the years, well this is developing into something special.”

Rashford and Martial were back among the goals in United’s latest outing, as they edged out Crystal Palace 2-0, and Phil Neville claimed on the back of that triumph that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now boasts the best attack in the Premier League.

He told Match of the Day: “They're the best three - with Greenwood - in the league, up there with the Liverpool front three and the City front three. I think they have the ability to interchange positions and link with each other. I don't see any better.”

United will be looking for more inspiration from that department on Sunday when they put an ongoing top-four bid to one side and switch their attention to an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea.

Barcelona could become "a new AC Milan or Manchester United" and be unable to compete for major European honours unless serious changes are made at the club, presidential candidate Victor Font has warned.

The Camp Nou club lost their La Liga title to Real Madrid on Thursday, and must now win the Champions League in order to avoid a trophyless season.

Font, who is running against incumbent president Josep Maria Bartomeu with elections set to take place in 2021, warned that Barca could follow other big European names in not being able to compete at the very highest level in modern football.

He said the impact of coronavirus, coupled with star players such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique aging and nearing the end of their career peaks, as well as the finances needed to renovate their Camp Nou home, could all have serious ramifications for Barcelona in the future.

Font told the BBC: "Competition over the last decade has become more and more professional. You see in the Premier League with clubs well managed, and even states owning clubs to put in a lot of money at a time where the finance of the club and economic model is stretched to the limit.

"Unless we do what we are trying, Barca has the risk of becoming a new Milan or a Manchester United."

Milan, traditionally one of the world's most successful clubs with 18 Serie A titles and seven victories in the European Cup and Champions League, have recently struggled to even qualify for continental competitions amid years of financial insecurity, poor recruitment and changes of ownership and management.

They last won Serie A in 2011, their most recent Champions League title was in 2007, and they have not played in the top UEFA competition since 2014.

Manchester United meanwhile have not won the Premier League since the 2012-13 season, the last campaign with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge. Their most recent Champions League crown came in 2008.

Part of Barcelona's problem is persuading star players like Messi to remain loyal to the club. The Argentina forward, whose contract expires in 2021, spoke of his displeasure at the team's performances this season after losing to Osasuna on Thursday night to hand the league title to rivals Real.

Font said of Messi: "He is unhappy and doubting what to do next. He is probably a bit frustrated as year after year he is not able to win, especially the Champions League. That's where the focus needs to be.

"We want to ensure he understands if we were to run the club from next summer onwards, we would put all the conditions to equip him in the best possible way so the last years of his career here he can still aspire to win a couple of Champions Leagues."

Mikel Arteta says he can pick up the phone and call Stan Kroenke directly - rather than having to send messages to Arsenal’s owner via the media.

Speaking after Wednesday night’s victory over Liverpool, Arteta told Sky Sports that the gap between his side and the champions was “enormous” and that he was very concerned about the amount of money he could be given to bolster his squad this summer.

Many saw that as the Spaniard sending a clear message to Kroenke over the need for investment, but Arteta is adamant that was not the case.

“If that was misinterpreted, it wasn’t my intention,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against former club Manchester City.

“We work so closely with the owners to put the plans that we need to take this club forward. Everybody has the same ambitions. We are in this together.

“But if you ask me if I know right now what I will have and how I can do it, I’m sorry but I don’t know because there are a lot of questions that we can’t resolve right now with the situation we have. One is financially, the other one is we don’t know if we will be in Europe because we have players that we didn’t know what is going to happen.

“That is the reality. It’s not about sending a message. We are all with the same objective and that’s to try and bring the club back as quick as possible to be fighting with the best teams in the country and Europe.”

Arteta added: “I speak with them [the Kroenkes] and I have a very good and open relationship.

“That’s why, when you mentioned [about sending messages] I was surprised because I don’t need to that as I have the phone and I can speak to them.

“They have been very, very supportive from the first day I joined the club, they were very much participating in the decision to bring me back here. And it’s the same with Raul [Sanllehi], Vinai [Venkatesham] and with Edu. There is no gap or friction or anything there.”

Meanwhile, Arteta insists that Ainsley Maitland-Niles still has a future at Arsenal, despite reports suggesting he wants to leave this summer after falling down the pecking order under the Spaniard.

Maitland-Niles has started just one game since January, although he has come off the bench in seven of the last 11 matches in all competitions.

Arteta admits the midfielder does have to improve in certain areas, but says he is still part of his plans.

“I don’t discuss reports with the players because I don’t read them,” he said. “Ainsley is a player who can play in many different positions and we have discussed the things that in my opinion he can improve or adapt to his game because he has incredible quality.

“He has every quality that you need to play at the highest level, but he needs to do it in a little bit more consistent way.

“Maybe he hasn’t played as much as I wanted him to play, but I played him in many different positions and in some very important games as well.”

Christian Pulisic is eager to help Chelsea win a “huge trophy” during his debut campaign in England, with the Blues readying themselves for an FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United.

The United States international bought into the long-term vision at Stamford Bridge when completing a switch from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2019.

Frank Lampard is still in the process of building for the future in west London, but any success in the present will be warmly embraced.

The current Chelsea boss won 11 major honours during his time with the Blues as a player, including the FA Cup on four occasions.

He has made those currently at his disposal fully aware of the importance of getting into a winning habit, with Pulisic determined to add to his own medal collection.

The 21-year-old said in the Evening Standard ahead of a last-four outing against United at Wembley on Sunday: “At Chelsea we want to win.

"This is a huge trophy. He has told us what it means to him and the club. Even though fans are not going to be there, the guys understand what it means. There is not the background noise but the circumstances are the same, you want to go out there and win.

“It would be amazing to win the FA Cup. All the guys are on the same page. When I was [younger] I would see a lot of Premier League games, but I saw a few FA Cup finals here and there and I saw what this competition means to this country. It is a big trophy and I am excited that we have the opportunity to win it.

“It has been a tough season, obviously, with a lot of ups and downs, but we are going in confident, and finishing with a trophy is always the best way to end the season.”

While their sights are about to be set on major silverware, Chelsea and United are also involved in a battle for top-four finishes in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have pieced together a 19-game unbeaten run during their challenges on multiple fronts, with Pulisic aware that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be a tough nut to crack.

He added: “United are in good form but we are confident. We want to play our game. It is not going to be easy but we are going to go in and do whatever it takes to win the game. One more game and we have a chance to win a trophy.”

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has insisted the country is blessed with talents and will not beg Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka or any player to represent the Super Eagles.

The 18-year-old has been in fine form since breaking into the Gunners’ first team and this season he has become a key member of Mikel Arteta’s side.

The versatile forward has scored four goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for the Emirates Stadium outfit in the current campaign.

His sock has continued to rise following his eye-catching performances and recently extended his contract to ward off other clubs who are interested in signing him.

The winger was born in England to Nigerian parents and has represented the European country at the U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels but as he has not featured for the Three Lions, he is still eligible to switch his allegiance to the West Africans.

Pinnick has failed in the past to persuade Chelsea duo of Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham to play for the Super Eagles.  

The NFF boss made a number of trips to England to convince the players and despite his closeness to Abraham’s father the striker went to play for the Three Lions.

Pinnick, however, has stated the federation will not plead with any player to don the Nigerian jersey and explained in the case of Saka, there are a number of quality players doing well for the Super Eagles in his position, although if he desires to play for the country he would be given an opportunity.

"Saka is an excellent prospect but we have other players in his position who are playing so well,” Pinnick said in an Instagram Live chat.

"We have talents everywhere so we won't beg people to play for Nigeria. It is about ardour and fervour, If it's their desire and they merit it, they'll be given a chance to represent Nigeria."

Nigeria are three-time African champions, after claiming the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013 in South Africa.

The Super Eagles finished third in the 2019 edition of the competition in Egypt behind Senegal and Algeria, who claimed the diadem.  

The West Africans are currently top of Group L of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with six points after victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Barcelona, on their social media pages at least, were magnanimous in defeat as they congratulated Real Madrid on winning their 34th La Liga title on Thursday night.

Zinedine Zidane's side secured their first league win since 2017 as they defeated Villarreal at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, with Karim Benzema scoring both goals to ease Los Blancos to a 2-1 win.

Barca, meanwhile, suffered a shock home defeat to Osasuna to leave their 2019-20 league campaign in tatters, with Madrid having opened an unassailable seven-point lead at the top with one game remaining.

After last night's events, in what was sure to stoke the rivalry between both sets of supporters, the Blaugrana's Twitter account posted a message to congratulate Madrid for coming out on top.

Head coach Quique Setien, who has conceded that he is unsure whether he'll be in charge for the remainder of Barca's Champions League campaign, also gave credit to Madrid, although he did point out that he felt luck had been on their side.

He told reporters: "We have to give credit to Real Madrid as they've won 10 matches in a row and we haven't. We let points slip away, it's true that in many matches where we dropped points we deserved more, except for example the match against Atletico Madrid where I think the draw was a correct result.

"In other matches where we won by a very tight margin, I don't think we were lucky. I don't think we had the luck that our rival had, they were more efficient. I'm not trying to put forward any excuses or anything, but these are the facts."

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, meanwhile, accepted that Real have been "the best" and that you can't argue with their record that has seen them win their last 10 games in a row in La Liga.

He said: "Without a doubt the champion is always the best. Of course, they've shown that over the last 10 matchdays. So I want to congratulate them. When you win 10 matches in a row, there's nothing more you can say."

Barca's social media response didn't go down quite so well with the club's fanbase, however, with many taking the opportunity to blast the Catalans for their abject title defence, while the opposite can be said for Madrid supporters, who revelled in their rivals' misery.

Jack Grealish needs to become more like Bruno Fernandes and David Silva if he is to convince reported suitors such as Manchester United that he is worth a gamble, says Phil Neville.

An impressive opening to the 2019-20 campaign, on the back of helping Aston Villa back into the Premier League, saw the stock of a 24-year-old playmaker rise.

For many, it was quickly becoming a matter of time before an England hopeful was given a much grander stage on which to showcase his talent.

Grealish has, however, struggled for a spark since football returned amid the coronavirus pandemic and has seen United – who were said to be leading the chase for his signature – find creative inspiration from other sources.

With Villa in serious danger of slipping back through a top-flight trapdoor, Neville believes their talismanic captain needs to raise his game and deliver the kind of consistency that has tempted United and City into moving for the likes of Fernandes and Silva.

The former Red Devils star told Match of the Day: “He's the biggest influence on them.

“You talk about the last 13 games, they've only scored five goals. He hasn't scored any, and his assists have been really low as well.

“He takes up brilliant positions, he's got outstanding ability. What I saw in this game was the end product, the end product to assist a goal or score a goal.

“For him, the next level up is to produce match-winning performances, goals and assists.

“The lad has got great ability, there's a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but looking at the stats, in the last 13 games, the lack of goals for Villa - yes it can be aimed at the centre-forwards, but I think it's probably his lack of a final pass.

“When he goes to the next level, and I think he can go to the next level, and he's at one of the top clubs, he's got to produce goals and assists all the time.

“That's not a criticism, it's just saying that at the next level over 13 games, look at Bruno Fernandes or David Silva, they're producing those moments every single game, and the consistency is fantastic.”

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has convened a meeting with all Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs, a day after signing a lucrative sponsorship for the top tier.

On Thursday, the FKF through president Nick Mwendwa announced they had signed a lucrative five-year deal worth Sh1.2 billion with Nigerian-based betting company BetKing.

In the contract, KPL clubs will be entitled to Sh8million annually from the federation and will see the partnership starting at Sh220million in the first year, and increased by increments of 5% in the second year, and 10% in coming years.

Mwendwa also confirmed the first batch of money from the new sponsors will be sent this week, promising clubs they will be sent the amount directly to their accounts.

According to a signed letter, from Mwendwa to all KPL clubs and obtained by Goal, the FKF has now reached out to the 17 clubs for an urgent meeting which will be conducted via Zoom, as a safety measure to help curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, on Wednesday.

“As you are aware the federation has signed a five-year deal worth Sh1.2billion with online betting firm BetKing, for official title sponsors and official betting partners of the FKF-Premier League,” stated the statement as seen by Goal.

“The deal was negotiated and concluded in anticipation of the end of the contract between Football Kenya Federation and Kenya Premier League Limited, with a view to ensuring that our clubs, most of which have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic have a significant level of financial cushioning going into and beyond the 2020/21 season.

“In light of the aforementioned, and the need to better understand the finer details of the BetKing sponsorship deal and how the league will be run and managed post-KPL, my office wishes to invite you for a zoom meeting on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at 10:00.

“Additionally, in the coming days, the FKF CEO Barry Otieno will contact you in regard to your club bank account details, to enable the federation to disburse funds in a timely manner.

“Kindly accept, dear chairmen, our utmost gratitude for your cooperation and continued support, this even as I wish you all the best in the upcoming football season.”

SportPesa were the KPL title sponsors before they walked away at the beginning of the 2019-20 season citing unfavourable working conditions in the country for the decision.

Wolves have been told that they have a “priceless” commodity on their hands in Raul Jimenez, with club legend John Richards hoping that reported interest from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal can be fended off.

A Mexico international striker on the books at Molineux has been enjoying a career-best campaign in 2019-20.

He has found the target on 26 occasions in all competitions, with 17 of those efforts coming in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old has become the first man to hit that mark in top-flight action for Wolves since Richards back in 1975-76, with his value in the West Midlands clear for all to see.

Jimenez has become a firm fan favourite during his time at Molineux, but his efforts have not gone unnoticed elsewhere and speculation continues to suggest that leading sides in the Premier League and La Liga are casting admiring glances in his direction.

Richards can appreciate why that is the case, but is eager to see a talismanic figure retained by an ambitious outfit.

The Wolves legend told the Express and Star of Jimenez’s goal-scoring ability: “It’s priceless.

“There’s a lot of work being done by the team as a whole, but sometimes you only get one or two slight chances.

“Most strikers probably will not take those, but when you’ve got somebody of that class, like Raul, you know he’s likely to pop them in.

“He’s a priceless commodity. What he has contributed goals-wise is invaluable to the club.”

Richards added of a frontman who was snapped up in a club-record £30 million ($38m) deal on the back of a productive loan spell: “He just seems to be getting better, if that can be possible.

“He’s a world-class striker, without a doubt. You see it week in and week out with the way he performs and leads the frontline.

“He works hard as well. You can understand why there’s lots of interest, and why we need to keep him. We need to keep him.”

Jimenez’s efforts have kept Wolves in the hunt for a top-six finish this season, while Nuno’s side are also waiting on the resumption of Europa League action having reached the last-16 stage of that competition.

English football will be played in front of fans again from October, according to government plans announced on Friday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Johnson said that from August 1, "we will pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn."

If this goes according to plan, fans will then be allowed into stadiums for Premier League games and other sporting events from October 1.

He said: "From October we intend to bring back audiences in stadiums. In a Covid secure way subject to the successful outcome of pilots."

Premier League matches have been played behind closed doors ever since the league restarted last month, following a three-month hiatus enforced by the outbreak of coronavirus. Strict social distancing measures have been put in place across British society, with social gatherings banned for several weeks.

Major sporting events due to take place in Britain this summer, such as Wimbledon and the women's European Championship, were cancelled or postponed, as was the men's Euro 2020 competition, with the semis and final having been scheduled to be played at Wembley in London.

These measures have since started to be lifted, with shops, bars and cinemas among locations of social gatherings beginning to reopen, which has led to hopes that sporting events will soon be able to follow suit.

The return of supporters to stadiums would be hugely welcomed by English football clubs, especially those in the lower leagues who rely on matchday revenue and face immense financial constraints as a result of the impact of coronavirus.

Johnson's announcement raises the slight possibility that this year's FA Cup final - re-scheduled for August 1 - could be played in front of some fans. However, it is more likely that small groups of supporters will not be allowed into grounds until the 2020-21 season has begun.

The current Premier League season concludes on July 26 and the 2020-21 campaign is potentially set to start either at the end of August or in the second week of September.

Details as to how the government plans will be implemented by football have not yet been revealed, with the possibility of social distancing being enforced in stadia in October, and grounds being unable to reopen at full capacity, still seemingly likely.

Former Uganda international Andrew Mukasa has explained why he did not score against Cameroon during the semi-final match of the 1999 All-Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa.

During the game, Mukasa was put through by Jamil Kyambadde after beating the Cameroonians defenders but the former chose to stand on the ball instead of putting it in the back of the net.

Mukasa was forced to retire after he suffered mental problems which ended an otherwise stellar career.

“I did it intentionally without having mental problems,” Mukasa said as he was quoted by New Vision.

“This was because I earlier had a misunderstanding between the team managers and [Ibrahim] Sekagya. In fact, with Sekagya we quarrelled and also fought. However, I regret why I did that.”

Mukasa’s teammate at the time, Mathias Lule, said the striker did not want to score even with shouts from other players after the Cameroonian goalkeeper was well beaten.

“At half-time, when we rebuked him, he told us ‘it’s because of my goals that you are here. So, it’s up to me to score or not,’” Lule said during an earlier interview with Daily Monitor.

Mukasa had scored against Eritrea and Zambia to help the Junior Cranes qualify for the tournament.

Mukasa went on to urge the upcoming players to take their careers with the seriousness it deserves.

“There are so many players in the country that are talented and play well. In fact, I have also managed to train with some of them,” he explained.

“But they have to take football as a sport that is easy to do. However, the sport will be easy for you so long as you train and stay committed and determined in what you do.”

Mukasa has been battling a mental problem for long but in June he confirmed his situation was improving unlike how it was before.

He added that he needed money to buy medicine, clothes and a small phone as he stays with his mother at Wakaliga.

Mukasa won Premier League titles in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 with SC Villa and also lifted the Uganda Cup trophies twice with the same club. He won Uganda's Player of the Year in 1999.

It was during the 1996 season that Mukasa earned his nickname ‘Fimbo’ meaning a cane as he scored 36 goals. He broke the record of 32 season goals that had been set by Jimmy Kirunda in 1978.

In the 1999 season, the forward set a record when he scored 45 goals before he was voted the footballer of the year in Uganda.

Manchester City should not celebrate their ban from European competition being lifted, according to Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

The Premier League club had been suspended from UEFA competitions from two years earlier this season for breaking Financial Fair Play regulations, which looked set to see them banned from playing in the Champions League and could have led to mass departures of their best players.

City appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and on Monday their ban was lifted in what was a huge victory for the club and a damaging blow for European football's governing body. Instead, the English club were ordered to pay a fine of €10 million (£9m/$11m) for failing to assist UEFA in its investigations - itself a huge reduction from the initial financial penalty.

The decision has been regarded as vindication by City, with manager Pep Guardiola saying the ruling proves the club have acted above board.

Watzke however feels that City should not be crowing about the decision, pointing out that CAS came to their conclusion because of a lack of evidence, following the Premier League side's refusal to cooperate with the UEFA investigation.

He told Kicker: "Overall, it was not a good day for football. It is also a setback for UEFA.

"I would recommend Manchester City to stop celebrating. If you read the reasoning for the judgment, you can see that just the evidence was not valid enough. In fact, celebration should be forbidden."

Watzke is not the only major European football figure infuriated by the escape, with La Liga president and long-standing Man City critic Javier Tebas aiming further barbs at Guardiola.

Tebas told ESPN: "Manchester City will be in the Champions League next season not because they have acted correctly, but rather because CAS is wrong. In fact, CAS has fined them €10m, that is not just for the sake of it. From what I've read I gather it is because they didn't cooperate with UEFA. Why is that? 

"Have City hidden documentation? I would like to read the final ruling now, if I can. Just as we still have not been able to read PSG's final ruling from CAS, when a lot of time has passed and it is still not available. 

"The day I sit down and read it I will tell Guardiola that of which I am convinced: Manchester City have not acted right."

Azam FC have agreed on terms with Simba SC assistant coach Selamani Matola and he is expected to join the team ahead of the new season.

The ‘Ice Cream Makers’ have been linked with the former Taifa Stars player for many seasons and it has now emerged that they have acquired his services ahead of the new season.

Matola joined Simba from Polisi Tanzania at the start of the current campaign and has been work under Belgian coach Sven Vandenbroeck.

Goal now understands Matola was picked from a pool of other assistant coaches who had submitted their CVs for the job, which also includes Kagera Sugar head coach Mecky Maxime.

“It is true that Matola will cross over from Yanga to handle Azam on the same capacity,” the source, who did not want to be named, revealed to Goal.

“Matola was among the coaches Azam officials were looking at and he has been picked ahead of Maxime, Azam are keen to build a strong technical bench as they want to challenge for titles in the coming season.”

Azam are currently under the tutelage of Romanian coach Aristica Cioaba and are now fighting to finish the season in the second position after missing out on the title and also losing to Simba SC in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Cioaba has maintained they have what it takes to win all three remaining matches and finish second ahead of Young Africans (Yanga SC) on the 20-team log.

“I know we lost against Mtibwa Sugar and it was a huge setback because it gave Yanga the chance to move second again but we still have three matches before we end the season,” Cioaba told reporters.

“It is a tight race now, Yanga are also fighting to finish second but we will not give in easily, we will fight to the end, three matches are enough to take us back to the second spot because you never know, in football, even Yanga can lose their remaining matches.

“I want my players to forget about the defeat to Mtibwa, it was not a good one, we dominated the match but ended up losing, we must now put our energy and win the remaining matches.”

Azam will next face Lipuli FC on Sunday while Yanga will come up against Mwadui FC on Saturday as the race for the second spot hots up.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes Karim Benzema is the best player in the world and deserves to win the Ballon d'Or after helping his team to yet another La Liga title.

Los Blancos returned to top-flight action three points behind eternal rivals Barcelona following the coronavirus-enforced suspension, but negotiated their way to 10 straight victories while the Blaugrana struggled for form and ultimately threw the league away.

Benzema was pivotal to Madrid's overall success during the course of the season, with his goals resulting in more points won than any other player in La Liga this season (16 points, 21 goals), and Perez believes the often-maligned Frenchman deserves to be rewarded for his efforts.

Following his club being crowned champions on Thursday, Perez told El Transistor: “Benzema should win the Ballon d'Or, I have not seen another player have as good a year as him.”

Speaking to COPE the following morning, he added: “Benzema has been the most criticised player in the world but he's the best in the world. In terms of how he plays, he's a centre-forward more like [Zinedine] Zidane than Ronaldo Nazario.

“He has been here since 2009 and that says it all.”

Another player who has been key to Real's resurgence has been captain Sergio Ramos, who Perez was keen to reaffirm will likely retire at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Sergio Ramos will continue at Real Madrid for as long as he wants and he knows that,” the president said. “As long as he has the strength – and he still has that strength – I think he will be with us for many years.”

The club's head coach, Zidane, was also singled out for praise, with the former France international having added yet another title to his impressive haul while in the dugout for Europe's most decorated team.

“I read in a tweet that they sent me that Zidane wins a title every 19 games,” he said. “What else can I say?

“We still have the Champions League to play and we are very excited. We hope that we can continue the momentum we have built during these 10 games and extend it into August. The entire team has managed to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and hard work. 

“Those are our values and that is the message.”

Ugandan Premier League side Onduparaka FC have confirmed Bainomugisha Vialli as their new coach.

The club is restructuring ahead of the new season, with an aim of offering stiff competition to other top sides in the division. The appointment has been confirmed on Friday via the club's official social account.

"We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Bainomugisha Vialli as our new head coach," Onduparaka tweeted. 

"The 43-year-old Caf B & C Coach has provided leadership and promotion to different clubs across Uganda and possesses an International sports connection certificate."

The tactician will now take over from former Uganda defender Simon Masaba who will be serving as his assistant. Masaba was serving on an interim basis.

Vialli has previously coached Mbarara City, Lweza Water and Kigezi Homeboys.

In the abandoned 2019/20 season, the Arua-based side finished in the eighth position. In the 25 matches played, they won nine, drew four and lost 12 and collected a total of 31 points.

In the concluded season, the top-tier side faced many challenges as top players and their head coach Charles Livingstone Mbabazi left, along with the entire technical bench. 

"It has been our toughest season. But I have to thank everyone involved that helped us overcome all hardships," club chairman Benjamin Nyakuni said in an earlier interview.

"We will need to have more finances to pay players and facilitate other club activities and am sure that if all that is in order, next season will be our best."

The administrator reveals his team cannot compete financially with some clubs but has set a target of winning a major title soon. He has also revealed plans to make the team financially stable.

"We are in a jungle playing against institutional clubs like URA and KCCA which are well funded. It is a challenge for us, especially that we are from a humble background.

"We want to professionalize this club and our brand should be more vibrant. We want to restructure the staff and player management and improve on all fronts, do more research on how to improve things. 

"The target is to win a trophy next season. We have lower-division trophies in store and we want a big trophy [league title or Uganda Cup] come next season. We can achieve this if we are all united."

Manchester United need to be keeping Paul Pogba on their books, says Rio Ferdinand, as it will be “nigh-on impossible” to bring in a replacement of similar quality at a reasonable price.

Questions have continued to be asked of the World Cup-winning midfielder’s future in the 2019-20 campaign.

Many of those were posed while Pogba was stuck on the sidelines nursing a niggling ankle problem which severely restricted his game time.

The coronavirus pandemic has, however, forced clubs around the world to rein in their transfer ambition, with big-money deals in the next window expected to be few and far between.

Pogba has also seen United draft in Bruno Fernandes to provide assistance when it comes to carrying a creative burden in the Red Devils’ engine room.

The Portugal international has starred on the back of his January arrival, with attention being diverted away from those who had been stuck under the spotlight.

Pogba falls into that category and has, a couple of concentration lapses aside, looked rejuvenated since returning to fitness and favour over recent weeks.

The 27-year-old is now seeing a new contract at Old Trafford mooted, with his value finally being recognised, and Ferdinand believes United should be doing all they can to keep the world-class performer on their books.

The former Red Devils defender told BT Sport of a divisive figure: “I’ve seen a lot of people, a lot of fans, a lot of pundits say they have to get rid of him if they want to improve.

“Man United have not seen the best of Paul Pogba. We’re beginning to see it now. It’s fashionable.

“What I’m saying is now they’re beginning to see what he’s about, potentially what he could’ve been when they signed him. Now they’re going to start seeing that.

“Why sell him now? If you’re going to replace him - who? Who’s actually better than him and gettable in the world right now? It’s nigh-on impossible. Keep him.

“He’s on a good run of form right now, it’s only a few games, yes.”

Pogba took in another 90 minutes of action for United in their latest outing against Crystal Palace, with a 2-0 victory in that contest keeping their top-four hopes alive while stretching an impressive unbeaten run to 19 games.

Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew has stated he will make no comments about his disallowed goal during Thursday's Premier League encounter with Manchester United.

After the Red Devils took a first-half lead through Marcus Rashford, the Ghana international appeared to have drawn the Eagles level when he showed up at the far post to drive a Wilfried Zaha ball into the net.

The goal was, however, ruled out for offside after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review as United marched on to clinch a 2-0 victory away at Selhurst Park.

"I’d just say we’re unlucky at the moment. I’m not going to comment on it [the decision]. Everyone saw it. It happens in football," Ayew told BT Sport after the match.

"At the moment we’re a bit unlucky but we’ll just keep pushing, keep working hard and things will turn."

With United let off the hook by the VAR decision, Anthony Martial scored on 78 minutes to seal three points for his side.

It was an embarrassing run of six consecutive league defeats for Palace this season after a fine streak of four wins.

The Eagles occupy 14th position on the standings, with two more matches to end the season.

United, meanwhile, hold the fifth spot and remain in line to snatch a Champions League ticket by end of the campaign.

"We played really, really well," Ayew added.

"We’re unlucky not to come out of the game with three points or even one point, but it’s part of the game and we have to keep pushing, win the next two games and we can start next year in a better way.

"There are some games where we didn’t play well. I think at home, Chelsea and Man U today, we played really well and gave them a good game. It was a good game.

"We’re just unlucky at the moment, things aren’t going our way but we’re not going to stay here and cry and complain. We just need to keep pushing and things will turn."

Ayew is Palace's top scorer this season, with nine league goals in 35 outings.

He would hope to score at least once more in Palace's last two games, against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur, to reach double figures.