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Fenerbahce defeated Kasimpasa 3-0 in Monday’s Turkish Super Lig encounter, with Senegal international Mame Thiam netting a first-half double.

The Yellow Canaries signed out of year 2020 with a 4-1 bashing of Istanbul Basaksehir on December 23, while the Apaches played out a 2-2 draw with the same team four days later.

With both teams chasing contrasting ambitions, it was the visitors who struck first after 14 minutes at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium.

Senegal international Thiam fired home from close range, after Dimitrios Pelkas headed Mert Hakan Yandas’ cross into his path.

Erol Bulut’s men could have gone two goals up in the 37th minute, but Enner Valencia’s strike was ruled out for offside by referee Halis Ozkahya after VAR replays.

On the stroke of half-time, Thiam completed his double after beating goalkeeper Ramazan Kose thanks to an assist from Pelkas.

The hosts came out stronger in the last 45 minutes, but they were unable to break down the well-organised visitors.

Fenerbahce has several more opportunities to score, but some poor marksmanship prevented them from extending the lead over the next 30 minutes.

Nonetheless, they wrapped up their win in style through Sinan Gumus’ replacement Ferdi Kadioglu, who chipped Ozan Tufan’s pass over onrushing goalkeeper Kose with four minutes left to play.

Thanks to his brace against his former club, Thiam has now scored three goals in 11 Turkish Super Lig games of the 2020-21 campaign. 

He was substituted for compatriot Papiss Cisse with 11 minutes left on the clock while on-loan Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta came on for Valencia in the 74th minute.

DR Congo international Marcel Tisserand was in action from start to finish, whereas Moroccan midfielder Nabil Dirar was not listed for action by manager Bulut.

For the misfiring hosts, Tunisian defender Oussama Haddadi, who is on loan from Al-Ettifaq, played for all 90 minutes, but the Guinean duo of Bengali-Fide Koita and Julian Jeanvier, as well as Cote d'Ivoire's Gerard Gohou and Ghana's Gilbert Koomson, were not dressed for action.

With this result, Fenerbahce moved to fourth on the Turkish elite division log, having accrued 29 points from 15 outings.

They welcome Alanyaspor to Sukru Saracoglu Sports Complex in their next outing on Thursday.

Rio Ferdinand has said he does not care if Paul Pogba departs Manchester United in the summer, as he believes the club should go all out for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.

Pogba’s position at the club has been the subject of speculation for some time, with his agent Mino Raiola saying he sees his client’s future away from Old Trafford.

Those comments came at a time when United were struggling in the Premier League and had just been eliminated from the Champions League.

Since the loss to RB Leipzig in December, United have won four and drawn two of their last six games in the Premier League and are level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table.

Pogba has worked his way back into the fold, but Ferdinand is unfazed if he moves on in the summer and would love to see the Red Devils make England international Grealish their marquee signing.

“I don’t care if Pogba goes or not, Grealish is my man,” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE. “I have known him since he was in his early teens. He came to my restaurant and I got him and his dad some tickets for a game.”

Grealish has been involved in some off-field controversies, but Ferdinand feels the attacking midfielder has been working hard on and off the pitch and his performances prove the point.

“He’s a great kid with a great family,” Ferdinand said. “He loves his football. What the young kids don’t see with Jack Grealish is the hunger and hard work behind closed doors - the attention to detail and the way he trains. He has changed his regime and looked at himself and asked what he can do better.

“I have heard from a lot of people that he is diligent in all the work he does off the pitch to get to where he is now. You are seeing results week in and week out.

“He is one of those players that has looked at himself in the summer and thought, 'Yes, I’ve done well last season, I’ve signed a new deal at my boyhood club, and I am going to go again'.

“If I am a manager of a top team in England, a top three or four team, then I would not allow him to stay there, I would go and take him.”

Ferdinand feels Grealish’s style of play is frightening for defenders and compares favourably to the likes of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.

“As a defender, as much as pace behind you frightens you, it is also the player who can find pockets of space, turn and run at you,” he said.

“[Pablo] Aimar who played at Valencia and Argentina, [Ariel] Ortega, players like that who could run with it and dribble - Ronaldinho and [Lionel] Messi. I am not saying he is in that class yet, but that style of player who runs at you. He is a fantastic player.

“When you talk about big numbers like £100 million or whatever price tag you want to mention, it is not about how good they look, it is about are they putting up the numbers to justify that price tag? 12 in his last 14 games suggests he is and that he is going to go for big, big dough.”

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena is refusing to regard their 2-0 lead as an advantage over Jwaneng Galaxy ahead of Tuesday’s Caf Champions League first round, second leg match at Loftus Versfeld.

The away victory three days before Christmas Day left Downs in a commanding position ahead of the home fixture, in which they can afford a one-goal loss and still proceed to the group stage of the competition.

But Mokwena is wary of complacency creeping into their camp which could see their visitors from Botswana causing a major upset.

“We are going into the Caf fixture with a lot of confidence. Of course an important three points against a direct opponent [Orlando Pirates] for the championship in the domestic competition,” Mokwena told the Sundowns media team.

“But that chapter is closed and we have to try to mentally make sure that we are in the right space as we try to prepare for it. Two-nil is always a dangerous scoreline particularly if you are only halfway through.

"We take it [first leg] as 45 minutes with the next 90 minutes being the next 45 minutes to see us into the group stage.

“We have to make sure that mentally we approach the game with the right character and personality of the team. That has been our focus of course. But again you have to make sure that you are prepared technically and tactically for the game.

“We have to guard against complacency. We are not in a favourable situation. Of course, when you are in a favourable situation, you find a lot more comfort and comfort breeds complacency.

"You don’t to be in that space where you are complacent and you approach the game with negligence.”

Mokwena acknowledged that Sundowns have established themselves as one of the strongest sides in Africa and expectations are weighing heavily on their shoulders.

“We have to be very responsible and diligent because we are carrying the responsibility of one of the biggest clubs on the African continent with huge expectations and a vision that goes beyond just any other ordinary club,” said Mokwena.

“So for us to be very responsible ans carry that expectation with diligence and a lot of responsibility knowing that we have to serve not just the supporters but the board and the president and represent Mamelodi Sundowns very well. Jwaneng are very difficult, they build from the back.”

Sundowns go into Tuesday’s match high in confidence after edging Orlando Pirates 1-0 in a Premier Soccer League match last Saturday.

Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu will consider venturing into coaching when he hangs up his playing boots, the midfielder has revealed.

Currently unattached, the 30-year-old is on the lookout for a new club after parting ways with Hellas Verona last year.

Last week, he announced his retirement from international football with Ghana, another indication that his career is nearing its end.

“Coaching is an option but I would love to be a scout for a club. If I can be a scout for [former side] Udinese [on whose books he was from 2010 until last year] in Africa, it will be very wonderful,” Badu told Joy FM.

“I have a good relationship with Udinese so I can speak to them and see how it goes. I know a lot of coaches in a lot of clubs.

“Coaching is my second option. I am not ready to be a CEO of a club because I don’t have experience at that level.”

Badu joined Verona ahead of the start of last season on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

He made 10 appearances for the side in Serie A, his time in Verona heavily weighed down by health and fitness issues.

"Right now I am no more with Hellas Verona. I cordially agreed to terminate my contract and so I'm a free agent and free to join any club,” Badu told Joy Sports on Saturday.

“After all the Covid stuff, I decided to come home and rest small and find a team in January.

“My lowest point and biggest disappointment [in my career so far] was not winning the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Another of my biggest disappointments was when Udinese lost a penalty shoot-out to Braga because we lost out on qualifying for the Uefa Champions League.

“But in terms of my career with the Black Stars, it has to do with not winning the Nations Cup.

“The most painful was the defeat to Ivory Coast because we took a two-goal lead and still lost but as for the defeat to Egypt in 2010, it’s not regrettable.”

Badu also previously played for Bursaspor in Turkey and Berekum Arsenal and Asante Kotoko in Ghana. 

Barcelona star Ansu Fati has undergone regenerative biological treatment on a knee injury as his recovery remains on track.

The winger was ruled out for approximately four months in November after having surgery on a tear to the internal meniscus of his left knee.

Barca confirmed on Monday that Fati's recovery is "following a very satisfactory course."

“First-team player Ansu Fati has undergone a regenerative biological treatment by Dr. Ramon Cugat under the supervision of the club's medical services, with the evolution of his injury following a very satisfactory course,” the club said in a statement on their official website. “Ansu was injured last November in the match against Betis, and was successfully operated on for the injury to the internal meniscus of his left knee by Dr. Cugat.“

The club provided no update on when he might return to action, with initial reports at the time of the injury suggesting he could be sidelined for four months.

Fati scored five goals and provided two assists in 10 games in all competitions this season before suffering his injury against Real Betis.

The Spain international is expected to be back in contention to play in March, meaning he will likely miss at least the first leg of Barca's Champions League last-16 encounter with Paris Saint-Germain, which takes place on February 16. The second leg is slated for March 10.

Barca lost two of their first three La Liga games after Fati's injury but have since won four and drawn twice in six top-flight fixtures.

They sit fifth in the Liga table, 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, having played a game more.

While Fati remains sidelined, Samuel Umtiti could be back in contention to face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

The France international defender was absent from the squad for the win over Huesca on Sunday on account of a stomach complaint, but he was pictured training with the squad in Monday’s recovery session.

Coach Ronald Koeman will not take any chances with the defender, given the injury problems in the squad, but provided he comes through a full session on Tuesday Umtiti is likely to be included for the game with Athletic.

Ghanaian winger Issah Abass has left Bundesliga side Mainz 05 for Eredivisie outfit FC Twente on loan.

The 22-year-old joins the Tukkers in a deal which expires at the end of the season.

He moved in search of more playing time, having so far made only two appearances - both as a substitute - for the German fold this term.

"FSV Mainz 05 will loan Abass Issah to FC Twente Enschede until the end of the current season," Mainz announced on their official website on Monday.

"The Ghanaian offensive player should get more match practice at the club of the Dutch Eredivisie.

"Issah has made three competitive appearances at Mainz this season."

Abass joined Mainz from Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana in 2018.

Last season, he was sent out on loan to Dutch outfit Utrecht, where he made 15 league appearances, starting 10 of the matches and twice putting his name on the score sheet.

"Abass is a young and ambitious player, so he asked to be given the chance to play more minutes," Mainz sports director Martin Schmidt explained the winger's departure.

"His previous loan to FC Utrecht had a good experience in the Eredivisie, so we granted his request."

Abass left Ghanaian side Asokwa Deportivo for Olimpija in 2017, where he netted seven times in 34 league outings over three seasons.

"It's great that we have Issah Abass in the selection. Abass is a strong and fast striker who can also play on the sides. He is an energetic boy with a very good drive. As soon as the work permit is in place, he can join the group," FC Twente director Jan Streuer told his club's official website on their signing of the Ghanaian attacker.

Abass will be hoping to impress in the Netherlands to convince Mainz to give him more playing time next season.

The forward will also have an eye on the Ghana national team, his club predicament having so far worked against his favour in his chase for a first senior call-up.

A former Ghana U17 star, the winger has also represented Ghana at U23 level, featuring at the 2019 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt. 

Juventus defender Alex Sandro has tested positive for coronavirus, the Serie A club announced.

The Brazil international - who played in Sunday's 4-1 league victory over Udinese in Turin - underwent a test after displaying what Juve described as "mild symptoms." The club confirmed the positive test on Monday.

"Juventus announces that following the appearance of some mild symptoms, a check was arranged for the player Alex Sandro, which revealed his positivity to Covid-19," a statement read.

"The player has already been placed in isolation. 

"The club is in contact with the health authorities for the definition of an effective implementation of the protocols needed to allow the training and competition activities of the team."

Alex Sandro featured for 83 minutes against Udinese before being replaced by Gianluca Frabotta, at which stage the hosts were 3-0 up in the game.

The 29-year-old has made seven league appearances under Andrea Pirlo during the 2020-21 campaign, as well as featuring three times in the Champions League group stage.

Juve travel to San Siro to face AC Milan - the unbeaten Serie A leaders - in midweek, followed by a home game against Sassuolo on Sunday.

Pirlo is already likely to be without Alvaro Morata for the trip to Milan, with the Spain international troubled by a thigh problem that kept him out of the win over Udinese.

The win over Udinese kept Juve within 10 points of leaders Milan and Pirlo’s side have a game in hand.

While the season is not even at the halfway stage, defeat at the hands of Milan would leave Juve with a mountain to climb in their bid to win Serie A for a 10th season in a row.

Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey - who had a goal disallowed on Sunday - could well play a key role in Milan, after drawing praise from Pirlo after the win over Udinese - provided he pulls through training without any problems.

“When he’s in good shape, Aaron is a very important player,” Pirlo said. “He’s intelligent, he knows which positions to find on the pitch. Unfortunately, he had so many problems in recent years that he needs a lot of rest between games.”

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) confirmed that Orlando Pirates have qualified for the Caf Confederation Cup play-off phase following the withdrawal from the competition of their first-round opponents Sagrada Esperanca.

Esperanca said they will not be able to travel to South Africa due to a new super-infectious coronavirus strain which has driven a wave of new infections.

This will see the first round, second leg that was scheduled for Orlando Stadium on Wednesday being cancelled, with Pirates having won the away leg 1-0 courtesy of a Thembinkosi Lorch strike.

In the play-off round, Pirates will now meet a team that will drop from the Caf Champions League as they bid to reach the group stage and re-establish themselves as a major force in African football under German coach Josef Zinnbauer.

“Within the framework of the organisation of match 58 Orlando Pirates vs GD Sagrada Esperança counting for the 2nd preliminary round of the Total Caf Confederation Cup 2020/21, we would like to inform you that the club GD Sagrada Esperança has withdrawn from the competition,” Caf wrote to Pirates.

“Therefore, we hereby inform you that the club Orlando Pirates is automatically qualified to the next round, namely the additional second preliminary round.

"Furthermore, the mission of the designated officials for the above-mentioned match is cancelled. A letter will be communicated to the Angolan Federation incorporating further details regarding the withdrawal.”

Angola has closed its borders to travellers from Australia, Nigeria, South Africa and the UK due to the Covid-19 variant.

Kaizer Chiefs have, however, been handed an exception which saw them travel to Angola for a Champions League first round, second leg date with Primeiro Agosto on Tuesday.

While Agosto accepted to host Chiefs, Sagrada Esperanca vice-president Bruno dos Santos issued a letter explaining his club's withdrawal.

“The risks related to team's stay in South Africa would be very high for the health of athletes, taking into account the magnitude of the contagion level and extreme lethality of the new version of the Covid-19 virus, which is prevalent in that country,” read part of the letter (translated from Portuguese).

The letter also mentioned the need to “fundamentally preserve the lives of the athletes.”

The Sagrada Esperanca management also reiterated their willingness to participate in Caf fixtures, but only “in perfect health security conditions.”

Sagrada’s withdrawal will extend a period of inactivity for Pirates, who face a congested fixture schedule in the upcoming days where they will be playing almost after every three days.

Henry Onyekuru has no regrets over his decision to join Everton in 2017, despite his desire to join Arsenal.

Having impressed in his third season with the Pandas where he finished the 2016-17 Belgian First Division A campaign as joint top-scorer with 22 goals, the Nigeria international was snapped up by the Toffees for £7 million.

However, he was immediately loaned to Anderlecht following his inability to secure a work permit which would have seen him realise his dream of playing in the Premier League.

After completing loan spells in Belgium and Galatasaray – where he won the 2018-19 Turkish Super Lig title, he was sold permanently to Ligue 1 giants Monaco where he has struggled to find his feet. Looking back, the 23-year-old disclosed he is not disenchanted teaming up with the Goodison Park giants despite offers from ‘top clubs’.

"The first dream is to play in the Premier League, it may not have worked out at Everton but I have no regrets about it," Onyekuru told BBC Africa Sport.

"When I received offers from top clubs in England I knew back then that I needed a work permit to play.

"That it didn't happen then has nothing to do with my talent but red tape that's beyond my control.”

"I really wanted to go to Arsenal because I spoke to some people there as I was very young then,” he continued.

"It was obvious that I was not going to play without a UK work permit. So, I went to Everton and played in the Champions League through a loan move to Anderlecht.

"It was important for me to get more playing time and experience that I had hoped would help boost my chances of earning the permit.

"I can't say I regretted this because I got to play against Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the Uefa Champions League, this doesn't happen to everyone."

At Monaco, Onyekuru seems to have fallen out of the pecking order under manager Niko Kovac having featured in just four games in Ligue 1 of the 2020-21 campaign. According to Foot Mercato, Al Ain are ready to table a loan deal in January with the option to buy the Nigerian at the end of the season.

Premier League football was suspended for three months following the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020, with social distancing enforced to slow the spread of the virus.

The league resumed in the summer of 2020, but the tail end of 2020 has seen the highest infection rates across the UK - along with a newer, more infectious strain of the virus - and hospitals becoming increasingly overcrowded.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now announced a new Tier 4 national lockdown across England. But will the Premier League and top-level football continue?

Both the Premier League and FA Cup are expected to continue during England's Tier 4 national lockdown, as they have been classified as "elite" sport and granted an exemption from the rules.

Johnson announced stricter lockdown measures for England on January 4, moving the country to the highest coronavirus alert level of Tier 4 beginning the morning of January 6.

Johnson stated in his briefing that it had become "clear that we need to do more" to bring the new Covid-19 variant "under control" and help the vaccination distribution in the UK.

The lockdown is expected to remain in place until at least February.

This means that the tightest lockdown restrictions since March will be enforced and schools are set to shut, though elite football will still be played - albeit behind closed doors once again.

The UK’s four chief medical officers stated that the alert level should be moved to the highest level, warning of the NHS being severely overwhelmed.

They said: “Cases are rising almost everywhere, in much of the country driven by the new, more transmissible variant. We are not confident that the NHS can handle a further sustained rise in cases and without further action there is a material risk of the NHS in several areas being overwhelmed over the next 21 days.”

Though the number of Covid-19 positive cases within the Premier League have increased in the past weeks, with several fixtures such as Manchester City vs Everton postponed due to coronavirus outbreaks within the camps, top level football will remain unaffected.

Rigorous testing and plans for social bubbles have contributed to the Premier League insisting that they will not have to suspend the season for a second time.

"The Premier League has not discussed pausing the season and has no plans to do so," the league said in a statement on December 30.

"The League continues to have confidence in its Covid-19 protocols to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled, and these protocols continue to have the full backing of Government.

"With the health of players and staff the priority, the League is also fully supportive of how clubs are implementing the protocols and rules."

It currently remains unclear, however, how the lockdown will affect non-elite football across England.

"I can say yes to the Premier League, I think, with authority," Johnson had told reporters in October after the announcement of the second lockdown about whether or not sport would be allowed to continue.

Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, confirmed that top-level sporting activity would not be forced to stop.

"The changes mean people should work from home where possible," Dowden explained on Twitter at the time. 

"But where this is not possible, travel to a place of work will be permitted - e.g. this includes (but not exhaustive) elite sport played behind closed doors, film & tv production, telecoms workers."

AC Milan are not resting on their healthy position in Serie A, with the Rossoneri making a move for Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.

The full-back has been on the Rossoneri’s list of targets for some time, and Goal can confirm that Serie A leaders Milan have made their move - with a €15 million (£14m/£18m) bid being put to the club from Alsace.

If the deal comes to fruition, it will be the culmination of a chase that dates back to last summer when Milan attempted to persuade Strasbourg into a sale only to be knocked back.

It is clear why Milan made the move for Simakan, given club legend and current technical director Paolo Maldini spoke in glowing terms of the 20-year-old.

“You and the scouting department have to know what you want and they can tell you what had worked statistically in the last five years compared to the previous five years," Maldini told DAZN. "Let’s talk about defence, for example.

"A defender is easy enough for me to read, but while before we used to ask for a player who could fit well in the department, now I would go and get a player who is strong in one-on-one situations, then we can teach him how to fit in the back four. The hard thing to teach is strength in one-on-one situations and concentration.

"At this moment, especially for our way of playing but also the situation of football in general, I would go and get a strong defender in one-on-one. That’s why we tried to sign Mohamed Simakan from RC Strasbourg.

"The French league is not very tactical, as a result the defenders develop the ability to defend well one-on-one. Whether it’s Simakan or someone else, our idea is to sign this kind of player. Maybe tactically with things to learn, but with physical strength and good defensively one-on-one."

While Milan have made their move, it is far from certain that the deal will come off as the bid could flush out rival clubs.

RB Leipzig hold an interest in the defender and may be tempted to up a price that would make Simakan the most expensive sale in Strasbourg history alongside Youssouf Fofana, who was sold to Monaco in 2019.

Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has revealed how dear he still holds Uganda and their football despite leaving over three years ago.

Micho is the current head coach of the Zambian national team and will lead his charges against the Cranes in a pre-African Nations Championship encounter on Monday.

“Uganda, Ugandans and Ugandan football with Cranes live actively in a special suite of my heart,” said the former SC Villa coach. “I am so happy that football in Uganda has moved seven miles into the bright future.

“Monday is a check-up for both Cranes and Chipolopolo and nothing else. I have the highest degree of respect for Johnathan McKinstry [Uganda current coach], his technical team and equally for the players led by veteran Tony Mawejje.

“It is a perfect balance between maturity, seniority, experience and young upcoming players that have a bright future ahead of them.”

The Serb further stated he would be aiming to register a win against the Cranes despite his love for the side.

“It is emotional reunification for me with Uganda that I need to go over as professional and look at my team to get good performance and result while we both prepare for upcoming Chan,” he continued. “Let football be the winner.”

McKinstry talked about the importance of the competition and how he would face his old friend, Micho.

“We feel the value of the tournament and getting used to the conditions here in Cameroon,” the Northern Irish coach said. “Our first game against Cameroon was a great opportunity for us physically to test our players and also tactically.

“All players stepping out on the field are playing for their places on the Chan squad. They are not treating them as friendly matches but preparatory matches.”

“Going into this game will help us give every player a fair chance during the tournament but we will make changes and we expect our opponents to do the same. I will come up against an old friend for both Uganda’s football and me personally."

The game will be the second one in preparation for Chan for both Uganda and Zambia, who previously engaged Cameroon and Niger, respectively.

Gianfranco Zola believes Timo Werner would be best used as a wide attacker by Chelsea, as the Germany international's goalless run for the Blues reaches 12 games.

The forward, who had been so prolific at RB Leipzig, quickly found the target on eight occasions for the Premier League heavyweights following a big-money summer transfer. He has, however, looked out of sorts in recent appearances.

Frank Lampard has alternative options available to him down the middle, with Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud impressing of late, while Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech patrol the flanks.

Zola believes Werner should be an alternative in wide areas, along with Callum Hudson-Odoi, saying the 24-year-old is not cut out to be a central striker when used by himself.

The Blues legend told talkSPORT: “I think Werner has got very good qualities, unbelievable qualities, but in my opinion he plays best when he’s got a lot of pitch in front of him, when he has to attack the space.

“The problem with Chelsea is that there many times you play a team that is defending deep; that is a different matter and in that case players with the ability of Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham, they can do better in that contest.

“So if you want to play Werner, maybe it’s right to play him in the wide areas. Also I think it’s down to Timo to work and also be effective when the spaces in front of him are less and work as a team.

“This could be a strength for Chelsea, because if you’ve got many players with ability you have to understand very well the abilities of the players and use them differently in the games, because not every game is the same.”

Chelsea have been struggling of late, taking just four points from their last six Premier League games, and pressure is building on under-fire coach Lampard.

Zola believes a fellow club legend will come good if patience is shown, with the Italian another of those that believes long-term planning is in order in west London.

He said of the Blues’ inconsistency: “Well it’s certainly not ideal, otherwise we wouldn’t be having these conversations.

“There are some issues that need to be addressed, something has to be improved for sure, but I believe Frank has the potential, the ability and he has the squad to make it better, that’s for sure and without question for me.

“The balance needs to be better but this will come; it will come through work and experience, it’s something that doesn’t come in a week or a month.

“The expectations are very high and the demands from the club are to get results and to get trophies.

“I understand exactly the situation Frank is going through. Sometimes it’s about trust and believing a coach can do well, can face the circumstances and get the best out of it – I think that is the point, really. There’s still a lot to play this season.”

Aaron Wan-Bissaka says his ongoing development at Manchester United is being moulded by Bruno Fernandes with the Portuguese playmaker always on hand to offer words of advice.

The talismanic midfielder at Old Trafford does not yet have the captain’s armband but he has become a leader in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ranks.

Promising right-back Wan-Bissaka told United Review: “Bruno helps everyone – on and off the pitch. He tells me before the game what he thinks I should do and which positions he thinks I should get into when he gets the ball, and where I should be. He has done it with the other players, and I can see that, along with the impact that he has made.

“When I scored my goal [against Newcastle], he said he couldn’t believe I could shoot! That goal there was to show him!”

Wan-Bissaka still has plenty of potential to unlock in his game, having only burst onto the scene at Crystal Palace in 2018-19, but he claims to no longer feel like a youngster at 23 years of age.

He added: “Yeah – in football now, it might be a few more years before I hit my peak, but once you turn 23, you’re not young anymore. That title ‘young’ has left me now!”

The challenge now is for Wan-Bissaka to become an established senior star at United, with silverware considered to be vital in any progress made at Old Trafford.

Asked about his hopes for 2021, Wan-Bissaka said: “Just for the team to finish as high as we possibly can in the table and, hopefully, bring a few trophies back to the club. The match against Watford coming up is another [FA] Cup game and it’s certainly a competition we want to go far in.

“I think we’ve just had a turnaround since the slow start to the season. You can see the position we are in now, how things have changed. The results have been coming good and I hope it can continue.”

United have moved level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and have a derby date with Manchester City on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Lucas Torreira and Diego Godin have shown their support for Edinson Cavani following his ban for racism, with the pair posting a copy of a statement from the Uruguay Player Association (A.F.U.) which slams the English FA for committing a "serious injustice".

Manchester United striker Cavani was hit with a three-match suspension and a £100,000 fine last week after being found guilty of misconduct following allegations of racism.

The 33-year-old responded to a congratulatory message from a friend on Instagram back in November with the phrase "Gracias negrito", and he accepted the FA's charge of using insulting and/or improper words.

Cavani also took to social media to explain himself after being sanctioned, insisting his comment was misconstrued and that he was merely expressing affection towards an acquaintance.

Spanish language experts have since confirmed that the United star's words were taken out of context, and the Uruguay national team has also come out in his defence on Monday.

"Firstly, we must condemn the arbitrary conduct of the English Football Association. Far from condemning racism, the English FA has itself committed a discriminatory act against the culture and the way of life of the Uruguayan people," a statement released by the A.F.U. reads.

"Edinson Cavani has never committed any conduct that could be interpreted as racist. We would therefore like to publicly defend Edinson Cavani's impeccable character and of course our country's culture.

"We request the FA to immediately overturn the sanction imposed on Edinson Cavani and reinstate his good name and honour in the world that has been so unfairly tarnished by this reprehensible decision."

Arsenal loanee Lucas Torreira and Cagliari defender Diego Godin, who both play alongside Cavani at international level, have shared copies of the press release on their official Twitter pages.

As it stands, United will have to make do without their talismanic forward in both of their next domestic fixtures, with the first game of his suspension already served on Friday.

Cavani sat out the Red Devils' 2-1 home win over Aston Villa, and will also be unavailable for their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City and FA Cup third round tie against Watford over the next five days.

Rachael Nachula has opened up on her personal struggle when she decided to dump athletics for football, saying "it wasn't easy" for her.

The Zambian had reached the peak of her career as a runner when she competed as a 400m semi-finalist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Some 13 years after her Olympic debut, Nachula will be making her return to the global showpiece at Tokyo 2021, this time as a footballer.

Having helped her country to a first-ever Olympic qualification last March, the striker has shared her excitement about the prospect of her possible return for the Games later this year.

"I think immediately when I step in Tokyo everybody will be like, 'Ah now we have Nachula here, from the 2008 Olympics she comes in 2021, not as a 400m runner but a striker,’ which is good for me," she told Olympic channel.

At 13, the loss of her father as a young girl saw her struggles in life just getting started, with the development halting her education.

Having been forced out of school as a teenager, she found solace in football before the death of her mother four years later.

Following parents' passing, she recalled her foray into athletics while honing her football skills in the quest to earn a living through sports.
 
She went on to shine in the 2005 Southern Africa Regional Championships in Harare, where she won two individual events -  200m and 400m - and also inspired Zambia's 4x400m team to gold.

"When my mum passed on in December 2003, it wasn’t easy. I decided I must do something," she reflected. 

"I then joined sport out of the need to earn an income. Athletics coach Hanson Mushili had come to watch football at the complex where I played, and he saw how I was moving speedily and running around.

"After the game, he approached me and told me, that he could help me, train, and live a better life as a runner.

“After a few months I went to a local competition, my first, and I won. After that, I stayed in athletics. The Southern region competition was what cemented my life as a sprinter.”

Before quitting athletics, the Zambian ran in two Commonwealth Games (2006 and 2010), in the Beijing 2008 Olympics and two senior World Athletics Championships in Berlin (2009) and Daegu (2011).

“I moved to South Africa [at the High-Performance Centre in Pretoria] after earning an IOC scholarship and continued training and competing until I qualified for the Olympics,” she revealed.

“That was a great day! Each athlete wants to qualify for the Olympics. I ran 51.25 and achieved the A standard, and I had also attained the B standard of 52.21.

"I was happy to be part of the Olympics and to run with top athletes like Sanya Richards, Allyson Felix. It was amazing!”

Since switching to football, Nachula claimed the golden boot at the 2019 Cosafa Women's Cup, scoring 10 goals as Zambia reached the final for the first time before they bowed to South Africa. 

And she opened up on her rough journey to reactivating her career in a sport that she described as her first love.

“I tried to recover my form but struggled. I reasoned it’s not too late, I can still do something else," she disclosed.

“I switched quite late, but it was easy to go back as I had played football before. I have one advantage. I used my speed from track on the football pitch. 

"When they give me the ball, I run quickly and get the ball. I went back to football in 2014 and my first international game for Copper Queens was in 2017.

“When one door closes another opens, don’t keep looking at the closed door. We can also manage to develop another talent. But I am still trying to figure out which is my God-given talent."

On the strength of her fine form at Cosafa 2019 as well as her crucial role in the Copper Queens' triumph in the race for an Olympic ticket, Nachula earned her first professional contract with Zaragoza.

While savouring her consistent rise in football following her move to Spain at 34, the striker is also eager to taste another Olympic experience with Zambia this summer.

“I never had it in mind that I would play professional football now, it was just God’s favour. I have so far played four games and have three goals,” she admitted.

“I think the performance at Cosafa in 2019 opened all doors for me. I have followed the steps of our captain Barbra Banda.

"She showed what she can do for Copper Queens and we are following in her footsteps.

“Some of them have asked me how it feels to be at the Olympics, to participate. I told them that being at the Olympics. It’s very motivating. 

"All the top athletes in the world dream of the Olympics. For us as Copper Queens to go there for the first time, it’s a huge plus for us."

“I think I am one of [a few] Africans who has been there as a track and field athlete and this time around I am going there with a different sport."

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango feels their 1-0 Premier Soccer League (PSL) win over Orlando Pirates was “worth it” and will benefit the side in gearing up for Tuesday’s Caf Champions League first round, second leg clash against Botswana champions Jwaneng Galaxy.

Downs started the year on a high after dismissing Pirates last Saturday in what Onyango feels was the right tonic ahead of their continental fixture.

To add to the victory over the Buccaneers, Sundowns go into Tuesday’s match carrying a 2-0 advantage secured in the away leg.

“It is nice to be back in the New Year and to have played a game on the second day was good for us, it was worth it. The game we played over the weekend was great for us and good preparation for the upcoming clash in the Caf Champions League,” Onyango told the Sundowns website.

But the Uganda captain is refusing to read much from their away victory against Galaxy, insisting that the battle is still halfway done.

The goalkeeper declares that “it’s not over” as he warns his Downs teammates against underestimating their visitors from Botswana, who he says should be respected.

“The game against Jwaneng Galaxy seems easy as we won the first leg 2-0 but it is not over, it is still half time for me and the rest of the team,” said Onyango.

“In football, you can never underestimate your opponents. We must focus on the game and be professional to win the game so that we can take the team to the next stage which is the group stages. It is almost a done deal for us but we do not disrespect the game.

“We must play the game with a lot of respect and win our home game and build up to the league game over the weekend. It is important to seal off the game and go into the group stages as you don’t want to play in the Confederations Cup.

“It is not easy to play in the Confederations Cup. We can’t be losing to a team that we managed to beat away from home. We want to get into the Champions League group quickly so that we can focus on the league as we wait for the draw of the Champions League.”

Sundowns are bidding for their second Champions League crown after clinching the 2016 title.

Ruben Dias and John Stones are forging a "formidable" partnership according to Joleon Lescott, who says it is clear that the Manchester City duo have each other's backs.

City currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League, having only shipped 13 goals in their opening 15 fixtures.

Pep Guardiola's side surrendered a clean sheet late on during their comfortable win over Chelsea on Sunday, but they still have two fewer in the goals against column than any other side in the division at present.

Their latest victory saw them move up to fifth in the top-flight standings, four points behind current leaders Liverpool having played a game less.

Dias and Stones played the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, with the former continuing his bright start to life at City following his £65 million ($89m) move from Benfica in the summer transfer window.

Stones has been the perfect foil for the Portugal international since winning his place back in Guardiola's line up in November, and Lescott thinks their understanding is growing stronger with each passing game.

“The partnership with Dias and Stones, it’s getting formidable,” the former City defender told the club's official website. “That comes with games and that’s a key element to any centre-back partnership, trust.

“I need to know that if I’m exposing myself for a slight second, you’ll have my back. They have that. You see them picking each other up and celebrating tackles like they’re a goal. We conceded but overall, that’s possibly one of the quietest games the goalkeeper has had.”

Nedum Onuoha echoed the sentiments of his old team-mate and expressed his belief that Guardiola now has greater strength in depth at his disposal than his rivals at other top Premier League clubs.

“When Dias was brought in, he was brought in for a reason, the problems that were maybe there, he’s been brought in to fix those,” the ex-City full-back said.

"He’s good on the ball but is a defender first. It’s great he can play and has that confidence but how rare do you see a player who is high-fiving John Stones who’s ended up in the stands for tackling Timo Werner?

“That is different, and that’s what City needed. For the last year or so people would look at City and think they could get at them, but to see Dias playing that well, Stones play that well and to know Aymeric Laporte can come in there and others, teams don’t have that boost.

“This is a guy who could be a really good player for the team.”

Pedro Chirivella, once billed as the “next Xabi Alonso” at Liverpool, has revealed that he turned down a long-term contract offer at Anfield before packing his bags for Nantes.

The Spanish midfielder was acquired by the Reds in 2013 after being signed from Valencia. He was always highly regarded during his time on Merseyside, but spent the latter stages of his seven-year stay out on loan at Go Ahead Eagles, Willem II and Extremadura.

The 23-year-old made played 11 competitive games and 650 minutes of action for Liverpool, with his path always blocked by more senior options.

With that in mind, he opted to become a free agent after his deal ran down, with the efforts of Premier League champions to get him tied to fresh terms shunned as he headed for the exits.

Chirivella told AS of severing ties with the Reds: “We were in full negotiations with Liverpool, who offered me a fairly long four or five-year contract and we didn’t know what to do.

“Then Nantes came with an interesting proposal for me and talking to the coach and president, we decided it was the best option, and I came to Nantes in June.

“I know it is a club with a history in France that has done great things and, honestly, I did not expect to go to France. I wanted to go back to Spain, and the confinement changed everything. When Nantes came, I didn’t think twice.

“I wanted to leave Liverpool, and I wanted to play. It was a clear proposal with which I did not have much doubt when signing. It was quick.”

Chirivella is now looking to fulfil his potential away from England and claims to have never read too much into his billing as the man tipped to fill the books of World Cup winner Alonso at Liverpool.

He added: “Those kinds of comparisons are easy.

“A Spanish midfielder who played for Liverpool, the easy thing is to compare, but I don’t like anything like that. Because it is putting pressure on a 17-year-old boy who is very young, and Xabi Alonso had done everything with Liverpool, Real Madrid and the national team.

“It is not something that I focus on, and it gets into my head because I know that there are very few players like that and I was just a young kid who wanted to get to Liverpool.”