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Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has overtaken former Everton and Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu Ayegbeni in the Premier League goalscoring chart with his strike against Manchester United in Thursday night.

After Diogo Jota’s leveller and Roberto Firmino’s double, Salah sealed the Reds’ 4-2 victory at Old Trafford with his 96th goal after 155 appearances in the English top-flight which took him past Yakubu who scored 95 goals in 252 appearances during his playing career.

The two-time African Footballer of the Year is now the third-highest scoring African player in the Premier League behind Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor (97 goals) and Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba (104 goals).

Two of Salah's 96 Premier League goals came during his first stint in England when he scored two goals in 14 matches for Chelsea during the 2013-14 campaign.

Thursday's outing was also the 28-year-old's 200th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions and he marked it with his 124th goal for the club since his permanent signing from Serie A club AS Roma in June 2017.

Only Roger Hunt and Gordon Hodgson scored more goals for the Reds in their first 200 games for the club with 133 goals and 125 goals respectively.

Salah found the back of the net in the 90th minute and he was later replaced in the stoppage time by Neco Williams as Liverpool boosted their chances of qualifying for next season’s Uefa Champions League with the crucial win away from home.

They are now fifth in the league table with 60 points after 35 matches - four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with three games left to play.

On an individual level, Salah is now the joint top scorer in the English top-flight alongside Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane with 21 goals.

The former Chelsea forward is gunning for his third Golden Boot in England having won the prize in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be aiming to extend their seven-game unbeaten in the Premier League when they battle relegated West Bromwich Albion in their next fixture on Sunday.

Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland have fired Borussia to Dortmund to their fifth DFB Pokal crown by scoring in a final victory over RB Leipzig.

Dortmund ran out 4-1 winners at the Olympiastadion to win the trophy for the first time since 2017.

Sancho scored twice to complement Haaland's strike in the first half and give Dortmund a commanding 3-0 lead, and the Norwegian wrapped up the win late on to render Dani Olmo's second-half effort for Leipzig as nothing more than a consolation.

Dortmund's night of glory in Berlin

Sancho opened the scoring in Thursday's final after just five minutes when he cut in on his right foot from the far side of the box and curled an unstoppable effort past Peter Gulacsi in the Leipzig net.

Dortmund found themselves 2-0 up just before the hour mark, with Haaland producing a trademark finish after outmuscling Dayot Upamecano.

Sancho grabbed his second just before the interval to leave Leipzig with a mountain to climb, tapping in from close range after being teed up by Marcos Reus.

Olmo gave Leipzig hope of a comeback with a stunning strike from 25 yards in the 71st minute, but BVB ultimately closed the game out via a mishit Haaland effort three minutes from time to secure the title.

Sancho makes history

Sancho is now the first English player to score a brace in the DFB Pokal and the youngest of any nationality to achieve the feat at the age of 21 years and 49 days.

The winger's latest double takes his tally for the season to 15 goals from 35 matches, and he also has 19 assists to his name.

What's next?

Dortmund now turn their attention to the final two Bundesliga rounds of the 2020-21 campaign as they seek to secure a top-four finish.

Edin Terzic's side will qualify for the Champions League if they beat Mainz on Sunday and secure all three points against Bayer Leverkusen six days later.

Further reading

Two people were arrested on Thursday as protesting Manchester United fans did their best to disrupt the Premier League clash with Liverpool once again.

Fans who are unhappy with the Glazer ownership arranged a second protest to coincide with the rearranged fixture but were unsuccessful in getting the game called off the second time around.

Despite the two arrests the protest, which was again based over two sites, was largely peaceful with hundreds of supporters chanting against the club’s American owners.

What happened?

Fans gathered on the forecourt outside Old Trafford ahead of the kick off with green and yellow flares a couple of hours before the game got underway.  

United were aware of the planned protest and instead of staying at their normal team hotel they made their way to the ground six hours earlier than usual and undertook their pre-match preparations inside the stadium where beds had been delivered to allow them to rest.

Liverpool were staying in a city centre hotel and protesting fans used cars to block the route of the team’s red bus.

It is understood they failed in their attempt to let the air out of the tyres and while some believed the red bus was a decoy to allow the players to get on another bus Goal understands that is not the case.

It is believed the red bus, which was the object of the blockade, was on its way to the hotel to get the players but had to be stood down and the team travelled to the ground in two different coaches and courtesy of extensive police presence.

While police presence was lacking at the original protest they were out in force on Thursday evening and a barricade of officers blocked the usual entrance where the Liverpool coach would have arrived.

Jurgen Klopp’s side arrived via an alternative back entrance while fans blocked the main road, Wharfside Way, where they would usually come down.

What was said?

Assistant chief constable for GMP, Chris Sykes, said: "We have been working closely with Manchester United and partners to ensure those in attendance outside the stadium are kept safe while exercising their right to a peaceful protest.

"The safety of all those concerned remains GMP's main priority.

"We encourage everyone to remember we are still living under restrictions due to the pandemic and have a collective responsibility to remain safe and protect one another.

"Enforcement remains our last resort, but anyone whose behaviour crosses the boundary into a criminal offence should expect to be prosecuted."

What next?

The next game at Old Trafford will be played on Tuesday against Fulham, where fans will be allowed in the stadium for the first time in a year. As it stands there are no protests planned but no doubt those inside the ground will make their feelings heard.

Further reading 

Man Utd talisman Bruno Fernandes has surpassed Frank Lampard in Premier League history books by scoring against Liverpool on Thursday night.

United took the lead against their arch-rivals at Old Trafford with just 10 minutes on the clock, with Fernandes' strike flying past Alisson in the Liverpool net with the aid of a fortunate deflection off the outstretched leg of Nat Phillips.

The Portuguese now has 28 goals to his name from 56 appearances across all competitions in 2020-21, which has seen him set a new record in English football.

Fernandes overtakes Lampard 

Fernandes has now scored more goals in a single season than any other Premier League midfielder in history, beating the mark previously set by Lampard at Chelsea in 2009-10.

The 26-year-old also now has 44 goal involvements in 50 top-flight appearances United (26 goals, 18 assists), which puts him third in the club record books behind Eric Cantona (46) and Robin van Persie (45).

Fernandes' overall record for United

Fernandes has established himself as one of the best players in Europe since joining United for €55 million (£47m/$66m) from Sporting in January 2020.

The Portugal international has hit 40 goals in his first 78 outings for the Red Devils, while also setting up a further 25 for his teammates.

What's next?

Fernandes will have the chance to add to his tally in United's final three fixtures of the season, starting with a home encounter against Fulham on Sunday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will wrap up their Premier League campaign away at Wolves five days later before preparations begin for a Europa League final clash with Villarreal on May 26.

Further reading

Cote d’Ivoire and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has been voted as Africa’s greatest FA Cup winner by Goal  readers.

According to results from an online poll, the former striker reigns supreme above former Nigeria and Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu, ex-Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and erstwhile Liberia, Chelsea and Manchester City man George Weah.

It is a reaffirmation of the 43-year-old’s status as one of the most iconic players ever to emerge from the continent.

In the poll, Drogba garnered 47.5 percent, nearly half of the total votes cast. Kanu came second with 37.7 percent, followed by Toure with 9.4 percent while Weah placed bottom with 5.4 percent.

While Drogba won the cup on four occasions (2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2011-12), Kanu clinched the title three times, twice with Arsenal (2001-02, 2002-03) and once with Portsmouth (2007-08), and finished as a losing finalist in 2000-01 with The Gunners.

Toure was on the winning side once (2010-11) and finished as a runner-up in the 2012-13 campaign. Weah, meanwhile, was a champion in 1999-00 during his days with Chelsea.

In the 2006-07 final against Manchester United, Drogba’s goal decided the fixture as his strike in extra-time ensured a 1-0 win. He had scored two times en route to the climax.

In 2009, the Ivorian, having successively scored against Coventry City in the sixth round and Arsenal in the semi-final, made his presence felt in the grand finale once again, drawing the Blues level after Louis Saha’s opener for Everton before Frank Lampard netted to clinch the cup for Chelsea.

There story was not much different for the striker in the 2009-10 season when his only goal ensured a 1-0 win over Portsmouth in the final, having scored twice on the way to the big decider.

In the 2012 final, the former Marseille man went ahead to cement his place as the true king of the FA Cup final as he joined Ramires on the scoresheet to seal a 2-1 triumph over Liverpool. By so doing, the former Galatasaray forward made history to become the first player to score in four different FA Cup finals.

Marvin Park has been named in Real Madrid’s line-up for Thursday’s LaLiga showdown against Granada.

In a 4-3-3 formation, the 20-year-old will feature in the midfield alongside Casemiro and Luka Modric.

That is the second time the Spain youth international of Nigerian and South Korean descent would be handed a place in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI in the 2020-21 campaign.

Park made his debut in Los Blancos’ 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad. He made his first start in the 2-0 defeat of Getafe at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on February 9.

There, he was substituted for Sergio Arribas in the 55th minute of the encounter. Afterwards, he earned rave reviews for his impressive showing.

As the race for the La Liga diadem gets tougher, anything short of victory for Real Madrid at the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium will jeopardise their title ambition.

They played a 2-2 draw in their last outing against Sevilla as the 34-time Spanish elite division kings were left to pay for their profligacy in front of goal.

Prior to this match against Diego Martinez’s men, the visitors are third in the log having accrued 75 points from 35 outings. They are just five points below leaders with three matches to play.

Born to a Nigerian father and a South Korean mother in the Balearic Islands, a Spanish archipelago, the promising youngster began his youth career with Ciutat de Palma in 2006 before securing an interesting move to English club Tranmere Rovers in 2009.

After three years in England, Marvin would return to Ciutat de Palma before stints with La Salle and Penya Arrabal. 

Generally deployed as a right winger, Park is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder.

He won the Uefa Youth League with Real Madrid last season as he scored four goals and contributed four assists across 33 appearances in all competitions. 

South Korean, Nigeria and Spain have shown interest in Marvin, and he ultimately opted for his homeland in January 2019.

He made his debut for Spain's U19's in a friendly 3–0 loss against Italy U19s on 16 January 2019.

It is to Kaizer Chiefs' advantage that they are not considered favourites ahead of this weekend's Caf Champions League quarter-final clash against Simba SC at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, according to defender Reeve Frosler.

In a season in which they have been struggling, especially on the domestic front, Amakhosi punched above their weight to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after participating in the group stage for the first time. 

While comparing the Soweto giants to Simba, who have been trying to make their name in Africa in recent seasons, Frosler feels they are facing superior opponents. 

“I think we have a good chance [to beat Simba]. Nobody knew much about us in terms of Caf experience so we are regarded as underdogs,” Frosler told Chiefs’ media. “Yes, we will stay an underdog and we will just keep on doing our best.

"You never know as you have seen these Caf games are unpredictable. Anybody can win on any day. So we never know what could happen.  

“When the draw came out I didn’t personally know much about Simba, but after reading about them and watching them, they seem like a team which have been doing well in the Champions League for the past few years.  

“They seem to be a very big team in Tanzania, so I’m looking forward to playing against them," he added. "They definitely pose a new challenge for us but we are up for the challenge I’m up for the challenge.” 

Chiefs go into Saturday’s match fresh from a 1-1 Premier Soccer League draw against Swallows FC, which was their fourth straight league match without winning.  

However, Frosler feels that the PSL and Champions League are different stages, and the Amakhosi will employ a new approach against Simba. 

“We have just come from a game on Wednesday evening so we have a few days to prepare for Simba,” said Frosler. “Obviously we have a different plan, it’s not like we are playing a league game here so we have to plan differently and go about it a bit differently.

"If you look, Simba were here early, they arrived earlier in the week so they have time to acclimatise and possibly watched our game on Wednesday. 

“Like I said, it is a different game. Caf and PSL are two different things so we just look to do our best come Saturday. Each player just has to give his best and you never know what can happen.” 

After Saturday’s match, Chiefs will visit Simba for the return leg set for seven days later.

Tusker head coach Robert Matano has emphasized the club’s readiness to win the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title.

The 2016 league champions are at the top of the log on 36 points – six more than KCB in second – after having an impressive run before the competition was halted in early March. With the top tier set to begin on Friday again, Matano has said their hearts, heads and minds are all on one thing: lifting the trophy.

“We are going to work hard and see that we pick from where we left as the spirit is still the same given that everyone in the team is ready now,” Matano told Goal after taking his Covid-19 test in Nairobi. “Everyone wants to win the league, but I know matches are going to make the final determination.

"We have to win the matches and take the league but if we do not that, it is not going to be possible," he added. “Our minds, our heads and our hearts are there; We just need to win the league.”

For his part, captain Hashim Sempala said he expects to see a tough challenge from KCB as far as the title race is concerned.

“As players, we are happy to be back at the club’s training ground after the prolonged suspension. Football is our job and the aim is to make the fans happy,” said the Ugandan midfielder. “We are back to training and aim to get back to the level we had before and also catch up with the rest.

“It is going to be a bit difficult, because KCB are a good team that are ready to compete. We are also not far away from them and everyone is looking forward to competing, but what I know is our determination is to remain focused as we will be looking one game at a time.”

The league had been scheduled for the restart on May 12 but the dates were pushed forward after the Ministry of Health failed to provide protocols to be followed in time.

Teams, especially from the Nairobi region, will have to contend with the unavailability of Moi International Sports Complex at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium as government facilities remain no-go zones.

Is Marcus Rashford a centre-forward or is the Manchester United man a winger?

The question of where on the pitch the Red Devils attacker is best utilised is one that has persisted ever since he burst onto the scene at Old Trafford as a precocious teen in 2015.

It's a dilemma that lingers from the perspective of the England manager too, with decisions to be made about which player should lead the line if the first choice, Harry Kane, is unavailable or out of form.

Goal takes a look at the data and the opinions - as well as that of the player himself - to find out which position is Rashford's best.

What is Marcus Rashford’s best position?

Marcus Rashford is a forward, capable of playing anywhere across the attacking line with varying degrees of effectiveness.

If you play FIFA 21, you'll be aware that Rashford's strongest position in that game is 'LM' or left midfielder. Essentially, that means he is best as a wide-left midfielder or left-winger, usually as part of a front three. Thanks to his speed and finishing attributes, he is also highly adept as a centre-forward or on the right side as a wide midfielder or winger.

Does the virtual assessment of the EA Sports gurus hold up in the real world though?

Well, yes, actually. In the seasons from 2015-16 to 2019-20, the stats suggest that Rashford is a much more potent threat when played on the left-wing as opposed to upfront as a traditional striker.

He was involved in 57 goals in 104 appearances on the left-wing in that time. As a centre-forward across 88 appearances in the same period, he was involved in 46 goals.

While the percentage of goal involvements in each position are similar across the period of 2015-16 to 2019-20 (0.5 goals per game in each position), it will undoubtedly skew more in favour to Rashford as a left-winger once the final stats for 2020-21 are taken into account. 

*Data from Transfermarkt

Rashford played mainly as a centre-forward in his breakthrough season in 2015-16, with Louis van Gaal giving him a chance to impress as a Number 9. When Jose Mourinho took the reins in 2016-17, he was used as a striker and a winger interchangeably.

At the beginning of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure from 2019, the Norwegian coach appeared to favour the player through the middle, but soon changed approach by switching him to the left, with Anthony Martial and later Edinson Cavani preferred in the centre.

Indeed, Rashford's best individual season came in 2019-20, when he scored 22 goals across all competitions. Of those 22 goals, 18 were scored when he played as a left-winger, while he also provided more assists. He has surpassed 20 goals again in 2020-21, a consecutive achievement not previously experienced in his career.

So, cutting in from the left flank onto his stronger right foot is where Rashford seems to play best.

What do the experts say about Rashford's best position?

The debate about where Marcus Rashford is best deployed for Manchester United and England has produced a variety of opinions.

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs argued in 2017 that Rashford's best position was as a central striker, telling PA Sport: "He's just so quick and direct. His best position, really, is through the middle, coming up with the goods and he is just an exciting player."

However, as time has progressed, more people are now convinced that he is better out wide. In 2019, for example, former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, who played Rashford as a Number 9 in the 2017 Europa League final victory, has indicated that the England international is more effective as a winger.

He told Sky Sports: "I am not going to say he cannot ever be a number nine, he can be a dangerous number nine especially if the opposition is not pragmatic, is not close and is giving spaces to attack. He can be dangerous in transitions.

"But when Manchester United is a team that normally plays against teams who go to Old Trafford, close the door, bring the bus, bring the double bus, he is not a striker to play with his back to the goal."

Mourinho added: "Playing from the sides he can be a very good player, probably better than at nine. But he feels he is a number nine and I think the club and the manager feel he is."

Another former Red Devil, Michael Owen, who knows what it takes to be an effective goalscoring striker, expressed the view in 2020 that Rashford was at his best when playing on the wing.

The Ballon d'Or winner told Amazon Prime: "I think this suits him - I never thought he was a centre-forward, a central player, I don’t think he ever really played that in youth football. I think he always wanted to be a number 10 or a wide player, and I think it suits him."

Manchester United academy coach Colin Little, who coached Rashford in the youth team, has described the forward as a "raider" - a type of inside forward who defends from wherever they are on the pitch.

"He's played as a No.9 but modern-day forwards end up in wide areas and beat people," Little told the club website in 2021. 

"They're not always as comfortable with their back to goal as they were playing in a 4-4-2 in my day. Then they could lay things off and spin in behind.

"Ultimately, they have to score some goals because you're not really classed as a forward if you don't score."

What does Marcus Rashford think his best position is?

Rashford seems to be reluctant to identify which position is his best, preferring to emphasise and enhance his versatility as much as possible.

In a 2021 interview with Goal, he said: "Throughout my academy days, I always tried to train myself to play in all three of those positions up front, just to give myself a better chance of getting into the first team.

“If you have a player who can play in more than one position, then you’re more likely to be involved. It’s something I always dreamed of doing and now the manager is giving me an opportunity to do that.

"I still think I can improve and do better but I’m pleased that I’ve managed to influence games in different positions and help the team win games."

The truth is, he seems to enjoy his football most when he is allowed some flexibility in his role - perhaps as a roaming forward, akin to Little's aforementioned 'raider'.

Reflecting on his success playing on the left-wing in 2020, Rashford conceded that he has struggled in the past with the Number 9 role.

"When you are on the left, you can create a lot more things on your own, giving that little bit more to the team," Rashford told the Manchester United website. "Whereas when you are playing up front, sometimes you are isolated and need someone in midfield who can find passes for 90 minutes of a game, so you can disappear in games sometimes as a Number 9.

"When I transitioned to a Number 9 when I was younger, that's the bit that I struggled with as I was always someone who wanted to express myself on the ball.

"When I started playing Number 9, I realised that you don't see the ball as often as you do in other positions, but when you do see the ball, it's an opportunity to score goals.

"That's what I loved about being a Number 9 and that's what I still love about it. But right now I'm enjoying having the freedom to mix between the two - and I think it suits us well at the moment as Anthony [​Martial] likes to drift to the left and drop deep as well."

Barcelona have no choice but to sell or otherwise lighten their bloated wage burden if they hope to strengthen their squad in the upcoming transfer window. 

The Catalans are keen to invest this summer as they face the possibility of another season without the Liga or Champions League titles, although they did get their hands on the Copa del Rey crown. 

But given the financial constrictions caused by Covid-19 and the club's contractual commitments, that may prove a tall order. 

Salary limits 

Each season, La Liga sets a salary cap for all of its competing clubs, a figure which is calculated considering factors such as revenues, costs and debts and differs from team to team.

Barca, who made a loss for the 2019-20 season due to the reduction of income owing to the pandemic, are among the league's hardest-hit sides. 

They will be permitted to spend €347 million (£298m/$419m) on salaries, according to the latest Liga figures, compared to €383m in 2020-21 and €671m over the previous season.

The club's salary burden was already above Liga and UEFA limits prior to the pandemic, and they will need to cut that number substantially in order to operate in the transfer market. 

What is covered in the cap?

The salary cap covers all fixed and variable payments to players and coaching staff in clubs' first and B teams, as well as bonuses, social security, signing-on fees and transfer fees. 

The latter are calculated pro rata over the full term of a player's contract and include the full cost of the transfer, including formation rights and agent fees: so Antoine Griezmann, for example, who cost Barcelona €135m upon arriving from Atletico Madrid, represents a burden of €27m to the club's salary cap for each of the five years of his contract. 

Between Griezmann, Miralem Pjanic (15), Frenkie de Jong (17,2), Philippe Coutinho (31,5) and Ousmane Dembele (24) alone the club has €115m on its books, more than a third of the total salary cap and not even including those five players' wages. 

A need to sell 

In total Barca are currently more than €50m over La Liga limits, and while the league will not penalise non compliant teams due to a moratorium in place this season that figure would be deducted from their salary cap next year if it is not reduced, further restricting the Catalans' ability to sign new players. 

If the club wishes to reinforce, even in the case of free transfers such as that of Sergio Aguero, selling players and reducing that deficit is a necessity at Camp Nou. 

Lucrative transfers such as their reported approach for Erling Haaland, meanwhile, appear almost impossible unless several big names are pushed through the exit door this summer.

Further reading 

Robert Lewandowski is capable of emulating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by breaking through the 40-goal barrier in a season says Mario Gomez, with Bayern Munich's star striker considered to be aging "like fine wine".

At the age of 32, Lewandowski stands on the brink of breaking another record.

He has 39 efforts to his name in the German top-flight this season, leaving him one short of Gerd Muller's history-making haul for a single campaign and within touching distance of a mark that other all-time greats have previously hit in La Liga.

What has been said?

Former Bayern striker Gomez told the club's official website: "The fact that he is chipping away at Muller's record in a season without much of a pre-season and under extreme strain is quite remarkable. It shows that he is a consummate professional with an incredible understanding of his own body. 

"I expected the 40-goal mark to fall at some point. Bayern have dominated the Bundesliga for years, just like Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain - and there Messi has scored 50 goals in a season, Ronaldo 48. I wish Lewy many more goals, because you can't replace that feeling with anything."

Is Lewandowski a legend?

Lewandowski's efforts this season have seen him record 46 goals in 38 appearances, having hit 55 across all competitions in 2019-20.

Bundesliga champions Bayern still have two games left this term, with every chance that a standing among the finest finishers in the business will be further cemented by a modern day great before the campaign is out.

"We strikers always want to score a goal. That's just the way we were born. For us, there's no greater feeling on the pitch than scoring a goal," Gomez added. "I had that feeling as a little kid when I was playing, and later in training and in games. And I think it's similar with Lewy. He's a striker through and through. 

"When I met him by chance recently, I said to him: 'You're one of those exceptional players who age like fine wine. Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.'

"I trust him to continue playing at this level for another four or five years. It wasn't like that for me in my mid-30s. I was a striker who lived on my dynamism, on the first few yards of pace, on power. 

"Lewy is completely different. He has everything in his repertoire. He's not just a sprinter, he's the most complete striker in the world. It's crazy how easy he makes scoring goals look. I was at Bayern for four years myself and know how hard it is in reality."

Further reading

Pep Guardiola has been toasting Manchester City's latest Premier League title triumph, with the Blues boss favouring pizza at a celebration party over any of the alcoholic beverages on offer.

A third domestic crown in four years has been claimed by a dominant outfit from the Etihad Stadium , with success in 2021 wrapped up with three games to spare.

City were actually thrust over the line by arch-rivals Manchester United , as they came unstuck at home to Leicester, allowing Guardiola to indulge in some midweek takeaway action.

What has been said?

Asked how City celebrated their title win, Guardiola told reporters: "It was so nice, normally the unexpected parties are the nicest ones. 

"All together we came here in our bubble, everyone is safe. We drink a bit, dance, hug, at 11.30 pizzas arrived and that was the best moment of the night. 

"In England the parties are just alcohol, not food, I don't know why. So when the pizza arrived was the best moment."

Congratulatory messages

Rival managers have been quick to pass on messages of congratulations to Guardiola and his team, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp - who has surrendered his grip on the Premier League title - among those to acknowledge the fine work done at the Etihad.

"I appreciate it a lot, him and Ancelotti," Guardiola said.

"I don't answer messages, not yet, but I will today. I appreciate it, I admire them. 

"It was an inspiration for me, he (Klopp) makes me, through his teams at Dortmund and Liverpool, a better manager, to think a lot about the opponents. I say thank you so much and appreciate him and Carlo."

Any other business?

City are currently readying themselves for a trip to Newcastle on Saturday.

Attention is, however starting to drift towards a Champions League final outing against Chelsea on May 29 - with that contest now due to be staged in Portugal.

Guardiola will want to be at full strength for that fixture, but talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne remains out of his plans for now with a slight muscle issue.

"He's still injured, getting better," Guardiola said when asked for an update on the Belgian.

"When he's fit he'll come to training. The guys who are completely fit will have the chance to play the final. We give information to the players to play the last games of the season."

Further reading

Manchester United have been linked with signing another centre-half ahead of the summer transfer window, and Rio Ferdinand has said Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos is "the only place" to go.

The former Red Devils defender believes any side looking to reinforce their back four at the next opportunity should move for the Brazilian.

Marquinhos would not come cheap as an established part of PSG's plans, but the Brazil international would tick plenty of boxes for those - such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United - looking to land a reliable performer.

What has been said?

Ferdinand told Vibe with Five: "If any team is in the market for a centre-back, right now, out of the top teams, with the finances, Marquinhos is the only place I’m going.

"Big-game player. Every big game you see that guy play he turns up. Fit as you like, quick, robust, hardened, battle-hardened, understands the big-game environments. Top, top player, great attitude, leader, got it all.

"If I’m looking for a centre-back of experience who can take me to the next level, he’s the one I’m going for."

What about Marquinhos' contract?

PSG will feel under no pressure to part with Marquinhos. They have the 26-year-old tied to a contract through to 2024, which will help to keep his asking price up.

The South American stalwart was also made club captain in the French capital following Thiago Silva's departure in 2020 and continues to prove his value for Mauricio Pochettino's side on a regular basis.

Marquinhos has made 320 appearances for PSG, scoring 30 goals and helping them to 23 trophies including six Ligue 1 titles.

Who else have Man Utd been linked with?

Solskjaer has faced calls for another centre-half to be drafted in alongside Harry Maguire for some time.

He has tied Eric Bailly to a new contract at Old Trafford with Victor Lindelof still figuring prominently, but various alternative options have been offered.

Villarreal star Pau Torres has seen a move to Manchester mooted, along with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde and Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane.

Another World Cup winner at Santiago Bernabeu, Sergio Ramos, has also been linked with the Red Devils as his current contract runs down.

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt was not happy having a Premier Soccer League fixture against Swallows FC on Wednesday, three days before they host Simba SC in a Caf Champions League quarter-final, First leg match. 

The Sowetyo giants drew 1-1 against Swallows at home and they are back at FNB on Saturday when they welcome Simba. 

Simba are already in South Africa and they had a chance to watch Amakhosi in action a few days before the two sides clash. 

“With us playing in the quarter-finals, I think so [it was not ideal to play midweek]. Obviously it wasn't. But it is what it is and we just have to dust ourselves and go again on Saturday,” Hunt told Chiefs’ media. 

“We don’t really know too much about them [Simba] but obviously I have watched them a few times on the tape and we will do that again tomorrow and try to refocus on who is available for us in the squad for Saturday.” 

Chiefs will be without some key players headlined by Khama Billiat and Itumeleng Khune. 

They are praying for defender Erick Mathoho to be back from injury while they have some good news on the return of Njabulo Blom who was suspended for the Swallows game. 

With Chiefs having now gone for four straight league matches without tasting victory and threatening their bid to finish the season in the top half, pressure continues to mount on Hunt as some fans on social media are calling for his sacking. 

Hunt says he is not aware of a section of supporters baying for his head but admits that he is enduring a torrid time. 

“I haven’t noticed anything, I’m not on social media anyway so I don’t know what is going on,” said Hunt. 

“Personally in terms of results-wise, this year has been the worst year ever in 27 years but if you understand football you see that there are a lot of things we need to do.” 

Chiefs have so far conceded 33 league goals in 27 matches and they have scored 29 times. 

Hunt has always pointed to his leaking defence as his major worry after witnessing his former team Bidvest Wits ship in 22 goals all season in the last campaign. 

The former SuperSport United coach struggles to explain what it is that is not coming together for his team. 

“It is a very difficult question to answer. We keep working everyday, we are working on it, keep believing and try to get it right,” Hunt said. 

“We will just keep soldiering on and the players coming in need to be counted and we take it up from there.”

Edinson Cavani says the prospect of signing for Boca Juniors this summer "was real", but claims speculation suggesting that he was looking for a way out of Manchester United was "half true, half lies".

The 34-year-old Uruguayan has shelved any plans to return to South America, with a new one-year deal signed at Old Trafford.

He is delighted to have agreed an extension with the Red Devils, having scored 15 goals in 36 appearances this season, but admits a deal with Boca was a possibility before United stepped up contract talks.

What has been said?

On reports claiming that he was destined to head for Argentina at the end of the season, Cavani told 2 de Punta: "The possibility I was going to sign for them [Boca] was real, but I was always clear. What has been said and printed is half true, half lies. Sometimes it’s like that - but the chance was real."

Could a deal with Boca be done in the future?

Cavani was signed as a free agent by United in the summer of 2020, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the market for a proven goalscorer.

Impressive efforts from Cavani have landed him fresh terms, but the door has not been slammed shut on Boca.

Cavani claims to have spoken about a switch with Boca's vice-president Juan Roman Riquelme for years and says nothing can be ruled out.

He added: "Has the door with Boca been left open? You’d need to ask Boca if the door is open. Today the reality is what it is, I’m at Manchester United and I’m fully focused.

"There are moments when you need to be near your roots and your loved ones. There’s not a year goes by when I don’t think about it, but the decision is a mixture of things, the affection of the people, the attitude of the club with me and my family, my team-mates asking me to stay, the manager."

Cavani, who has hit eight goals through his last eight appearances for United, will be back in action on Thursday when the Red Devils take in a home date with old adversaries Liverpool.

Further reading