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David de Gea said he is feeling confident with his form amid increased competition from Dean Henderson.

Henderson’s arrival back at Old Trafford, after a successful loan spell at Sheffield United, has led to questions over who should be the club’s number one, with De Gea having held the spot for the last nine years.

But the competition appears to have pushed the Spaniard on and he has been in good form for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side of late.

The 30-year-old pulled off a couple of good saves to deny Romain Saiss in United’s 1-0 win against Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday and is happy with his displays.

"I feel very confident to be honest. I feel well," De Gea said. "I am happy every time I can help the team like today, make some big saves to keep the clean sheets.

"The whole team, I think we played a good game so, yeah, I'm really happy."

The win pushed United up to second in the table, just two points off Liverpool in top spot, and the team are showing a belief and mentality that they can compete at the top.

"I think we have now a winning mentality and this is very important for the team. All of us want to win, we keep trying until the end," the goalkeeper explained.

"The manager wants us to try until the end. It was great to see the team trying to score until the last minute and then we scored a goal, so it's perfect for us.

"We won a massive three points and now we'll try to recover as soon as possible and be ready for the next game."

Next up for Solskjaer’s side is the visit of Aston Villa on New Year’s Day and De Gea expects to be fit for that clash despite colliding with Adama Traore in the second half of Tuesday night’s win.

"Woof! I was lying on the pitch," De Gea laughed. "He's one of the strongest players in the Premier League, so it was very painful in my arm, in my stomach, but it was fine. We won the game, so everything's fine."

Held virtually for the first time because of the current situation in the country, the shortened 2020 National Football Awards (ABK) was held on Wednesday night with Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) becoming the major winners on the night.

The 7-time Super League champions were the only trophy winner in a truncated 2020 season blighted by the Covid-19 pandemic that engulfed the country, with the league suspended for a long six months, as well as seeing the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup competitions cancelled.

JDT all but one of the major awards decided by a voting system. Farizal Marlias, Aidil Zafuan, Safawi Rasid, Benjamin Mora and the team itself picked up the honours in their respective categories. The Southern Tigers romped to another impressive title win in 2020, finishing the shortened season unbeaten for the second time in their short history.

Unlike the other years, the Most Valuable Player award this time was awarded to the fans of the M-League, not to any specific player. The '12th player' as they are normally referred to, Malaysia Football League (MFL) decided to hand the award to the fans in honour of their continuous support to the professional game. 

Local Premier League Top Scorer: Danial Asri (Selangor 2) - 7 goals

Best Goalkeeper: Farizal Marlias (JDT)

Premier League Top Scorer: Casagrande (Pulau Pinang) - 9 goals

Best Defender: Aidil Zafuan (JDT)

Local Super League Top Scorer: Shahrel Fikir (Perak) - 10 goals

Best Midfielder: Safawi Rasid (JDT)

Super League Top Scorer: Ifedayo Olusegun (Selangor) - 12 goals

Best Striker: Shahrel Fikri (Perak)

Best Coach: Benjamin Mora (JDT)

Golden Boot: Ifedayo Olusegun (Selangor) - 12 goals

Best Team: Johor Darul Ta'zim

Most Valuable Player: M-League fans

Chelsea have stopped discussions on loan moves for academy players until mid-January to allow Frank Lampard to select as many Under-23s stars as possible for the FA Cup third-round clash with Morecambe.

Tino Anjorin, Henry Lawrence and Lewis Bate are among the youngsters who will likely start against the League Two side at Stamford Bridge on January 10.

However, the match remains in doubt after several Morecambe players tested positive for Covid-19, leading to the cancellation of league clashes with Bolton and Bradford.

The Blues' next opponents, Manchester City, also called off their recent match with Everton for the same reason, but Chelsea are operating on a business-as-usual approach until told otherwise by the Premier League.

"I think it is a key time and a tough time," Lampard said after his side's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Monday. "I think we felt that coming as tier-4 came in with the surge [in Covid-19 cases]. We have to get safety as paramount.

"I believe that’s why the game has been called off, because of the spread in the squad for Man City. From our point of view, I will find out in the next day or two because it has to be safe for the two teams. If not, the game won’t go ahead.

"I think the Premier League will direct us on that, but yes, it is a tough time. I am not surprised because how Covid is in the UK is difficult for everybody. Football isn’t different all the time, so we will have to see what the Premier League come up with. But safety is paramount."

There are now discussions ongoing about a possible two-week stoppage of English football to overcome the large spike in Covid-19 cases that has hit the United Kingdom.

Behind the scenes, Chelsea are working in the transfer market.

Fikayo Tomori is seeking a loan exit having not played for Chelsea since September and has interest from Newcastle as well as clubs from overseas.

However, Tomori's future is linked to that of Antonio Rudiger, who is also considering leaving the club to ensure that he is selected for Euro 2020.

Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso are both attracting interest after struggling for game time since Ben Chilwell's arrival.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in Alonso after Inter attempted a loan swoop in the summer. Emerson is happy to stay at Chelsea, having had assurances over his status with the Italy national team, but he would also consider offers to return to Serie A.

Kepa Arrizabalaga could also leave in January but it is highly unlikely that any club will pay a transfer fee or the full wage of the £72 million ($95m) club-record signing. Olivier Giroud had been open to leaving Chelsea in January but he has softened his stance after getting a run of games.

Danny Drinkwater and Baba Rahman are seeking loan moves, having been stuck with the Under-23s after failing to earn moves over the summer.

For Rahman, there are clubs lining up to take him on a six-month loan. Two unnamed clubs in Spain and France are at the front of the queue with his future set to be decided in the next fortnight. The Ghana international has had an injury-hit two years but he is back to full fitness and playing with Chelsea's development squad.

Chelsea also recently rejected a £3m offer from Rostov for in-form Ike Ugbo, who has scored 10 goals in 16 games on loan at Cercle Brugge. The 22-year-old striker will be allowed to leave if an offer of £5m arrives.

Charly Musonda is back in training after a 15-month injury nightmare, but he will have to prove his fitness at Cobham before considering a loan deal.

West Ham's Declan Rice remains Chelsea's primary transfer target, but the Hammers will resist his sale and competition is expected to emerge from the rest of the top six for the England international.

Bruno Fernandes would fit in at Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus, according to his former mentor Cristiano Giaretta, who says the Manchester United star's statistics for goals and assists make him a potential contender for the Ballon d'Or.

Fernandes began his professional career in Italy with Novara in 2012, where he spent one year before joining Sampdoria.

The Portugal international also took in a spell at Udinese before returning to his homeland, with Sporting CP snapping him up in the summer of 2017.

He quickly became a talismanic figure at Jose Alvalade Stadium due to his all-action style of play, while learning to supply the kind of end product that matches his mercurial talent on a consistent basis.

Fernandes soon began attracting attention from top clubs across Europe, and United eventually won the race for his signature in January.

The Red Devils forked out €55 million (£50m/$68m) to bring the 26-year-old to Old Trafford, which he has already repaid ten-fold, scoring 26 goals in his first 45 appearances across all competitions.

The former Sporting playmaker has also provided 17 assists, with his outstanding performances in the middle of the park helping to transform Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side from also-rans into Premier League title contenders.

Watford sporting director Giaretta, who handed Fernandes his first professional contract at Novara, has heaped praise upon the Portuguese for rising to the very highest level of the game, while claiming he now has unlimited options when it comes to his future.

Asked where he feels Fernandes could end up, Giaretta told Calcio Mercato: “Good question. It almost goes without saying that he would be fine with Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus.

“The truth is he could go anywhere, but in my opinion, he’s already at the top.

“Personally, I believe that Manchester United and the Premier League are the pinnacle of a career, a point of arrival, not of passage: I thought that as a player and I am still convinced of it, as a sporting director who aims to bring Watford back to the top as soon as possible.

“Then he will make his choices, he is an intelligent boy and will know what is best for him."

The ex-Novara chief added on his relationship with Fernandes and the United midfielder being destined to become a frontrunner in the race for football's top individual prize: "I hear from him often, even a couple of times a week.

"I can say that he is the same guy I met at Boavista, with a great personality, with the same desire to work to become the best: he is one who is never satisfied, who aspires to a lot, even in his humility.

“He will never say it, but someone with his stats can dream of important goals such as the Ballon d’Or.

“Since joining Manchester United, he has made 44 appearances and scored 26 goals, without mentioning the assists and he plays for his team-mates. He has always been decisive."

Giaretta also expressed his belief that Fernandes is now the main leader in the Red Devils starting line-up, with current club captain Harry Maguire among those considered to be playing a less vital role in the team's recent success.

"It is undeniable that Bruno Fernandes is the real captain of the team,” he said. “If others are important, he is essential. If I have to tell the truth it didn’t even surprise me too much from this point of view: at 18 he was already an adult in his head. The hard work did the rest.”

Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho will undergo arthroscopic surgery to determine the severity of an injury to his left knee.

The Brazil international was introduced as a 66th-minute substitute during Tuesday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Eibar at Camp Nou but was unable to see the game out after sustaining the injury in second half stoppage time.

Initial reports suggested Coutinho could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines and the club confirmed on Wednesday he had damaged a lateral meniscus and will now have an exploratory operation.

A Barcelona statement read: "The tests carried out on the first team player Philippe Coutinho have shown that the midfielder has an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee. Treatment will necessitate arthroscopic surgery which will take place in the coming days."

A lengthy absence for Coutinho would be another blow for Barca boss Ronald Koeman, who is already without Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto and Gerard Pique through injury.

Coutinho has made 14 appearances for Barcelona this season in all competitions, with three goals and two assists.

The draw with Eibar saw the Catalans slip to sixth in the table, seven points adrift of joint leaders Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

The Camp Nou outfit’s start to the current campaign is their worst since 2003. With seven wins from their first 15 matches, it is the first time they have failed to win more than half of their games at this stage in the season since Frank Rijkaard was at the helm. Barca finished second in the league that season, five points behind champions Valencia.

After the latest slip up, coach Koeman admitted his side will struggle to get back into the race for the league title.

He said in a press conference: "I am realistic, it will be very difficult to be champions. Nothing is impossible, but you have to acknowledge the gap. Atletico look very good to me, very strong, they don't concede many goals." 

The Catalan side begin 2021 with an away match against Huesca on Sunday, with a trip to Athletic Club to follow three days later.

Queens Park Rangers winger Bright Osayi-Samuel has revealed he suffered racial abuse on social media after their 1-1 draw against Norwich City in Tuesday’s Championship game.

The 22-year-old forward played a significant role in ensuring the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium outfit avoided defeat in the encounter.

Osayi-Samuel scored the equalising goal for QPR, converting from the penalty spot, after Teemu Pukki’s opener.

After the match, the Nigerian winger revealed on Instagram, as per, Sky Sports, how he was racially abused on social media, describing it as “disgusting and painful to receive messages like this".

A number of African footballers have suffered racial abuse during their career, including former Barcelona and Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o.

Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also subjected to abuse in 2018 after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League game.

A banana skin was thrown towards the Gabon international’s direction at the Emirates Stadium, while celebrating his goal.

The FA, Uefa and other football governing bodies have tried to stamp out the ignoble act through various measures but with little success.

Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) have urged players to take a knee as part of their effort to stop racial abuse, which has been greatly adhered to.

Osayi-Samuel will hope the incident against him will be investigated by the police and the culprit gets punished to serve as a deterrent to others in the future.

The forward has been with QPR since the summer of 2017 and has been playing a key role for the club, featuring in more than 100 league games.

Last season, the winger helped his side to finish in mid-table, forming a productive partnership with his compatriot Eberechi Eze, who left to team up with Premier League club Crystal Palace in the summer.

In the current campaign, Osayi-Samuel has made 21 appearances across all competitions for QPR, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

The forward will hope to put the incident behind him and help Mark Warburton’s men end their winless run against Luton Town on January 2.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Phelelani Mpangase believes the quality in the Brazilians’ squad will not be enough and they will be outplayed by Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) confrontation at Loftus Versfeld.

It would be the 2021 opener and a battle of teams that have both been mentioned as title contenders who are yet to taste defeat in this season’s campaign.

With Pirates six points behind Sundowns, although they have played a game less than the log leaders, Mpangase still gives the contest to Josef Zinnbauer and his men.

“Regardless of the fact that I played for Sundowns, let us be honest, Pirates are on top of their game at the moment,” Mpangase told Soccerladuma.

“They are doing very, very well. The intensity at which they play is very high and it’s very rare for teams to match their intensity.

“As much as Sundowns have quality players I don’t see them matching Pirates in terms of the intensity and mobility. Yes, Sundowns have a strong squad on the field and on the bench but I think Pirates will take this one because of their form and how they have been playing.”

Pirates are unbeaten with three victories but their campaign has, however, been somewhat undone by four draws.

The Soweto giants are placed fifth on the table and have managed nine goals in seven games with a striking rate that might not be too impressive against Sundowns’ 16 goals in eight matches.

Masandawana also appear better in terms of defence, having conceded five times as compared to Pirates, who have shipped in six goals despite playing fewer games.

What has dominated talk about Sundowns this season is their fiery attacking combination comprising of Themba Zwane, Peter Shalulile and Kermit Erasmus, who have combined to contribute 13 of Downs’ 16 league goals.

Zwane has seven PSL goals in as many matches while Pirates’ top-scorers are Vincent Pule and Tshegofatso Mabasa, who have two goals each.

Zwane and Erasmus were rested in Sundowns' last league and Caf Champions League outings and could return fresher to pick up from where they left off.

Simba information officer Haji Manara has stated he will remain at the club to continue with his duties despite reports he has been suspended by his bosses.

It was recently reported Manara had been suspended from Simba which prompted him not to discuss the team's issues.

However, Manara has now come out to clarify he took a break from discussing the club’s issues because he had been handed a break by the leadership after his recent wedding.

Through his Instagram page, Manara has said: “The size of my name makes me feel better, my fame hurts others.

“I never wanted to be here, but I believe my work has attracted many and God decided to promote me.

“Please Simba fans, I will continue to be your spokesperson until my provision is exhausted, [it will not happen for any of us to remain forever whether by death or otherwise].

“Tell those who wrote the rumours of my departure, that I am very knowledgeable with matters of public communication and I have a lot of experience in this area and have become resistant to the challenges of work.

“I am not ready to leave Simba, who am I to leave anyway?”

His statement comes a day after the club suspended dependable midfielder Jonas Mkude due to disciplinary reasons.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi did not specifically point out the allegations labelled against the Tanzania international but promised to deliver a fair ruling on the issue soon.

“We regret to inform our members and fans, that always was the best for us, of Simba Sports Club that Jonas Mkude has been temporarily suspended,” Simba announced in a statement obtained by Goal.

“Mkude has been made to step aside given a number of reasons that include a number of disciplinary issues that he has been implicated with.

“Simba SC have been forced to make this decision because as a club we do not tolerate matters indiscipline in any way. We believe discipline is the backbone for any development in the world of soccer.”

Simba are preparing to face promoted Ihefu FC on Wednesday.

Football Kenya Premier League side AFC Leopards and captain Robinson Kamura are in close talks for a possible contract extension.

Kamura’s contract is set to come to an end on December 31 but according to a source privy to the development, the two parties have agreed on most issues and the defender is set to remain at the club.

“AFC Leopards are keen to keep most of their players who are deemed good enough to push our title ambitions further,” the source told Goal.

“It would not be fair on the part of the club to let key players like the captain leave on free transfer especially when the old and the new players seem to have gelled better.”

Early in December, speculation had grown around Kamura’s future at the Den with some reports then indicating the defender was set to join a Zambian club.

But it has now emerged that he has opted out of looking for another club either in the region or within the country as he wishes to remain with AFC Leopards.

“Since he joined from Mathare United almost five years ago, he has been a trusted player and his association with Ingwe will surely be extended,” the source added.

In an earlier interview, AFC Leopards’ chairman Dan Shikanda stated he was not aware whether the defender had indicated he was leaving the club.

Kamura, through a Facebook post, had sent shivers down the spines of Ingwe supporters when he said ‘No one likes goodbyes’ but Shikanda said his post was misunderstood.

“Robinson [Kamura] is contracted to AFC Leopards, he is our player and will not go anywhere,” Shikanda told Goal at the time. “I have not heard from him either if he wants to leave, he knows the protocol of a player when he wants to leave and I don’t know why people misunderstood his statement.”

Defender Yusuf Mainge and forward Jaffary Owiti, Goal understands, are also on the verge of signing contract renewals.

AFC Leopards started the current campaign with three straight wins against Tusker, Bidco United and Sofapaka before Western Stima picked up a late 2-0 win at Kasarani to end the unbeaten run.

After the Premier League took a break on December 24 for Christmas and New Year holidays, the top-flight will resume on January 2, with six matches lined up across the country.

In many ways, Chennaiyin FC handed ATK Mohun Bagan an easy escape route after almost pulling off a win over the Indian Super League (ISL) league leaders. 

Chennaiyin head coach Csaba Laszlo would be in a very curious situation. His team played very well against one of the toughest outfits in the ISL to play against. And it is not about just possession, which ATKMB are happy to let you have. It was all about enjoying the lion’s share of the ball and troubling Habas’ side. 

Their front four of Rafael Crivellaro, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jakub Sylvestr and Rahim Ali, ably supported by the hardworking Memo and Anirudh Thapa, did really well to disrupt the ATKMB backline and give Arindam Bhattacharya plenty of exercise throughout the game. 

Even after the influential Crivellaro was forced off after a crude tackle from Pronay Halder, Chennaiyin continued to threaten, which is a testament to the system that Laszlo has implemented. 

However, despite all that, Chennaiyin’s perplexing woes in front of goal continued. Sylvestr, so good and impressive in the build-up, continued to forget his shooting boots once he got into the area. 

Chhangte, enterprisingly brilliant down the left flank, was denied by Arindam on a few occasions while even Enes Sipovic and Eli Sabia had opportunities to score from set-piece situations. But it was just not to be. 

ATK Mohun Bagan would consider themselves unlucky as the referee failed to spot the kick by Reagan Singh on David Williams in the first half which should have been a penalty.
The trouble for the Kolkata outfit is that they have scored eight goals in as many matches but only three players, namely Roy Krishna (five), Manvir Singh (two) and David Williams (one) have contributed so far.

If you compare this with what transpired in the last season, the likes of Javier Hernandez, who is currently injured, Edu Garcia, Michael Soosairaj, who too is on the treatment table, and a few more players contributed to their cause in the attack. Antonio Habas would certainly have this in the back of his mind when his team takes to the field in their next match against NorthEast United.

In only two games this season, ATK Mohun Bagan’s defence was under pressure – against FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC. Both teams are known for their attacking brand of play however, in Chennaiyin’s case, the chances created were more clear-cut.

It was thanks to Arindam Bhattacharya’s alacrity that they were denied on at least four occasions. The experienced custodian has rolled back the years and has been amongst the top performers for the Kolkata outfit.

The Marina Machans have lost just two games so far but have, worryingly, drawn four and that is solely due to their poor goalscoring form. They will need to turn it around in the next couple of games, against Hyderabad FC and Odisha FC, and start to climb up that table.

And the key to that might be the return of Isma Goncalves who was excellent in the first game of the season where they defeated Jamshedpur FC. There's a lot of questions that Laszlo needs to address.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has explained the reason why Kakamega Homeboyz will remain “their factory” despite the rivalry between the two clubs.

AFC Leopards and Homeboyz have always remained rivals from the Western region with the latter dominating Ingwe in terms of results in the last few seasons.

Despite the rivalry between the two FKF Premier League clubs, Ingwe have often signed players from the Western-based club.

The latest tussle for a player was in the recent transfer window when AFC Leopards went for the services of midfielder Peter Thiong’o, a move which irked Homeboyz top brass, including chairman Cleophas Shimanyula, who refused to allow the player to join their rivals.

However, after a long tussle, Thiong’o was allowed to sign for AFC Leopards as a free agent.

Revisiting the issue, Ingwe boss Shikanda has now told Goal why AFC Leopards cannot survive without the help of Homeboyz.

“Without Kakamega Homeboyz there is no AFC Leopards,” Shikanda told Goal. “We all know where good players come from, they all come from Western and Homeboyz are based in Western, so when you see us going for their players during the transfer window, don’t be surprised.

“In terms of signing players, Homeboyz will remain our feeder club and I am saying this with due respect to the club, they will remain our factory and that is why I say without them, we don’t have AFC Leopards.”

Shikanda has further likened the AFC Leopards versus Homeboyz transfer signing sagas to when Gor Mahia could sign players from Kisumu All-Stars and Ingwe sign players from the defunct Motcom.

“In previous years, there was no Gor Mahia without Kisumu All-Stars,” Shikanda continued. “Gor Mahia could only sign players from the Kisumu-based clubs and same case with AFC Leopards who could only sign players from Motcom FC.

“It is the same scenario now, we have to sign players from Homeboyz because they are the best team from Western, we should assist each other when it comes to signings and Homeboyz should understand the scenario.”

Asked which was the biggest team between AFC Leopards and Homeboyz, Shimanyula explained: “For me, the biggest team is the one which has won many titles and that is AFC Leopards.

“I want to challenge Homeboyz to start winning trophies so that they can mix it with the big boys, I hope they can win the league soon because AFC Leopards is now targeting to do well in Caf competitions, we want to win the Caf title soon.”

Ingwe have started the 2020-21 season well and have managed to collect nine points from their opening four games with the only defeat coming against bogey side Western Stima.

Eric Bailly has expressed his delight after Manchester United ended 2020 with a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in Tuesday’s Premier League game.

Marcus Rashford scored the only goal of the game moments before full-time after he was set up by Bruno Fernandes.

The Ivory Coast international made his third Premier League start and fourth league appearance of the season for the Red Devils and helped them to keep a clean sheet in the encounter.

The win ensured Ole Gunnar Solskjar’s men moved to the second spot on the Premier League table after gathering 30 points from 15 games.

Bailly has taken to social media to share his feelings after his side ended 2020, which was dominated by the coronavirus outbreak, with a win.

“A clean sheet and a victory - good way to end a year to forget. We are coming for you, 2021,” Bailly posted on Instagram.

Bailly has been with Manchester United since the summer of 2016 when he arrived from Spanish club Villarreal.

The centre-back has, however, struggled to firmly establish himself at Old Trafford due to injury problems, playing only 58 Premier League games for the club so far. 

He made four league appearances for United last season due to a knee injury and in the current campaign, he has featured seven times across all competitions.

Despite his struggle with injuries, the 26-year-old was handed a new deal by the Red Devils and expressed his appreciation to the club.

“For me it was very important. At a time when I was suffering a little bit and struggling with my injury, the club showed great confidence, enough to extend my contract, and it gives me a real feeling of prestige to be able to continue being part of this squad and this club,” he told the club website.

“The feeling then is that I want to pay back that faith and confidence they’ve shown in me and being part of something here.”

The defender will hope to reciprocate the good gesture by the club in 2021, starting with their first game of the year against Aston Villa.

Manchester United are now seeing the best of Paul Pogba, according to Gary Neville, who says the Frenchman can take the Red Devils to the title.

Pogba has been in and out of the headlines at Old Trafford once again this season, with his commitment to the club's cause called into question amid persistent transfer rumours.

The World Cup winner fueled speculation over his future in October by admitting it would be a "dream" for him to play for Real Madrid one day, but United took up the option to extend his contract by an extra year later that month.

The 27-year-old was laid low with coronavirus at the start of the campaign, and has had to gradually work his way back into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI amid increased competition for places in the middle of the park following the summer arrival of Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

Pogba had just started to get his rhythm back before Mino Raiola dropped an unwelcome bombshell ahead of the Champions League group stage decider against RB Leipzig on December 8.

The agent claimed his client's career in Manchester was "over" and that he needed a new challenge, having been unable to express himself at Old Trafford for quite some time.

However, Pogba proved to be the only shining light during United's 3-2 defeat to Leipzig as he sparked a late comeback after coming off the bench, and has since rediscovered his best form.

The France international's latest 90 minutes of action came during a 1-0 home win over Wolves on Tuesday night, which ensured that Solskjaer's side are sitting in second place in the Premier League heading into the new year.

Before that clash, Neville talked up the extra quality a fully fit and firing Pogba brings to United's line up, while expressing his belief that the playmaker could play a key role in helping them win back the Premier League trophy come May.

"When they played Leipzig his agent came out and said he wanted to leave, but since then I have seen the best of Paul Pogba,' the treble winner told Amazon Prime Video.

"I have got to say I prefer watching Manchester United when he is playing because he gives them something that might take them on the way to the title. He is a world-class player."

Neville also reserved special praise for Bruno Fernandes, who has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the top-flight since making his debut for United in February.

The former United defender said of a man who notched his seventh assist of the season against Wolves: "It's the impact he's had on the club. Forget the goals and assists, it's the winning mentality, every time he goes on the field he wants to win, he drives the team forward.

"He is absolutely outstanding. He pops up everywhere on the field."

Pogba and Fernandes will both be in line to feature again when the Manchester outfit play host to high-flying Aston Villa on New Year's Day.

Lothar Matthaus says Germany coach Joachim Low should be sacked if the national team underperform at Euro 2020 and believes everyone at the German Football Association (DFB) who backed him should follow.

Low has been in charge of Germany since 2006 but the pressure on the coach has been building amid their disappointing results this year.

Germany have won three of the eight matches they have played in 2020, having drawn with Spain, Switzerland, twice, and Turkey before they were trounced 6-0 by La Roja in their final match of the year.

Despite their underwhelming performances, the DFB declared the 60-year-old would remain in charge as the European Championship approaches and Germany legend Matthaus says Low is not the only one who should pay the price should things turn sour next summer.

He told Suddeutsche Zeitung: "If the European Championship doesn't go as we would expect from the quality of players that we have, then it is not only Low who will have to go, but all of those who decided that he should stay. They must also bear the consequences.

"The [6-0] game against Spain was an exceptional case, but when I look at the overall situation or remember the games that they have struggled to win or in which we conceded a goal at the last moment, I realise that [Low as Germany boss] doesn't fit anymore."

The 1980 European Championship and 1990 World Cup winner added: "Things just aren't as clear as they were in 2016 or 2018. His answers sound a bit like: 'Just let me do it - the rest of you have no idea!' And then this apathy on the bench, especially against Spain!

"But the fans' faith has been lost, and I think the DFB is underestimating that. I would like Joachim Low to get back on track - for him and for German football."

Germany have been drawn in Group F in the summer tournament, alongside France, Hungary and Portugal. They will start the competition with a match against France in Munich.

Erling Haaland has expressed his belief that Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly are the best defenders in the world.

Haaland has been the scourge of centre-backs across Europe since bursting onto the scene with Red Bull Salzburg in the first half of the 2019-20 campaign.

Salzburg were dealt a tough draw after qualifying for the Champions League group stages, with Liverpool, Napoli and Genk pulled out of the hat to join them in Group E.

However, the Austrian outfit quickly proved they wouldn't be pushovers by thrashing Genk 6-2, with Haaland helping himself to a hat-trick, and they produced a similarly brilliant attacking display against Liverpool on matchday two.

Haaland got himself on the scoresheet during a 4-3 defeat at Anfield, and went on to fire home five more goals in the group, including three against Napoli.

The Norwegian forward's performances earned him a €20 million (£18m/$25m) move to Borussia Dortmund in January, and he has since solidified his reputation as one of the most exciting young players in Europe.

The 20-year-old now has plenty of experience playing at the highest level in both the Bundesliga and Champions League, with very few defences able to keep out a man who has hit 33 goals in his first 32 outings for BVB.

Van Dijk and Koulibaly couldn't stop Haaland when he was at Salzburg, but he looks up to the pair as masters of their craft at the back, along with Madrid captain Ramos - whom he has yet to come up against in person.

“I have to say, for me, the three best in the world are Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly. The three are good, strong and intelligent," the Dortmund talisman told Verdens Gang.

Haaland also opened up on his insatiable hunger for goals, adding: "For me, it's like a drug, there is no better feeling than after you've scored."

The former Salzburg frontman will be back in action with Dortmund when they take on Wolfsburg on January 3, having made a full recovery from a muscle injury.

Haaland was forced to sit out BVB's final six matches before the winter break, with the German giants now trailing Bayern Munich by eight points in the Bundesliga standings.

Zambia head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has explained why they gave fans a chance to help in the recruitment process of the 31 players heading to the African Nations Championship.

The former SC Villa head coach selected the majority of the players that had been included in the provisional squad and added five from the ‘Fans’ Select’ group.

Zesco United defenders Adrian Chama and Clement Mwape, Zanaco striker Roger Kola, midfielders Spencer Sautu of Power Dynamos and Harrison Chisala of Nkana FC are the players who joined the Chan squad after the fans selected them.

“The kind of competition we are going to needs an injection of maturity, seniority and experience,” Micho said as he unveiled the team.

“We did our own assessment, but we still left supporters to choose them and instead of us rewarding them on past experience, the players proved on the field of play what we spoke about hence we have involved them in our squad.”

The former African champions will be involved in a pre-Chan mini-tournament which will involve Cameroon, Niger and Uganda from January 1 to 7.

Micho’s men are in Group D alongside Namibia, Tanzania and Guinea for the tournament that will run from January 16 to February 10, 2021, in Cameroon.

Tanzania head coach Etienne Ndayiragije has already named his squad that was dominated by local rivals Simba SC and Young Africans (Yanga SC). The selection generated a fierce debate on why Metacha Mnata, the in-form Yanga goalkeeper – was left out.

Zambia Squad:

Goalkeepers: Charles Kalumba (Prison Leopards), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors), Patrick Chooma (KYSA), Richard Nyirenda (Nchanga Rangers),

Defenders: Adrian Chama, Clement Mwape (both Zesco United), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Golden Mafwenta (Buildcon), Kondwani Chiboni, Zacharia Chilongoshi, Benson Sakala (all Power Dynamos), Pride Mwansa (Nkwazi),

Midfielders: Amity Shamende (Green Eagles), Albert Kangwanda, Kelvin Kapumbu (both Zanaco), Leonard Mulenga, Jack Chirwa (both Green Buffaloes), Kelvin Kampamba, Bruce Musakanya (both Zesco United), Spencer Sautu, Chaniza Zulu (both Power Dynamos), Harrison Chisala (Nkana), Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamo), Paul Katema, Felix Bulaya (both Red Arrows),

Strikers: Emmanuel Chabula (Lusaka Dynamos), Friday Samu (Green Buffaloes), Moses Phiri, Roger Kola (both Zanaco).

Sergio Reguilon is convinced Tottenham will win trophies under Jose Mourinho.

After a strong start to the season, Spurs have fallen behind in the Premier League title race, having won just one of their last six matches to leave them six points behind leaders Liverpool.

But 24-year-old left-back Reguilon, who joined from Real Madrid in the summer, is impressed by the former Chelsea, Inter and Manchester United coach's mentality and expects him to bring silverware to north London. 

He said in an interview with AS: "I saw, I don't know where, that in his second year Mourinho has won a title with every team he has been with.

"I personally look at him, I see that self-assurance that he has in himself and I say: 'We are going to win something, yes'.

"We are going to have to win something. With that mentality, things get done."

The Spain international has long been an admirer of Mourinho and was touched by a gesture the Portuguese manager made at Christmas. 

"I've always said that I wanted to play at some time in my life in the Premier and I had also said that I wanted Mourinho to coach me in my career. Many factors came together to make this possible," he said.

"Mourinho called me several times before making the decision. It was a reason to take into account, his insistence, because if he loved me so much it would be for something.

"I always say the same thing, I would like you to know him the way I know him. I could tell a thousand wonderful anecdotes.

"For example, on Christmas day, he knows that I am alone. We got to training on the 25th and I had a box at my space. I open it and it was a suckling pig already cooked. 

"He told me: 'I know you are alone at Christmas, so you don't have to cook dinner and can eat well'. There are details that people don't know on a day-to-day basis. For a footballer, [the coach] being aware of how you are away from football is very important."

Alongside Spain coach Luis Enrique, Mourinho is one of the best managers the full-back has played for, while Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was a notable exception from his top two.

"For me, Mourinho and Luis Enrique are two top coaches. Each one has his method, each teacher has his booklet," he said.

"Luis Enrique likes more to be in control of the ball, more like the Spanish philosophy of taking care of the ball. Mourinho likes that we are strong, that we also have the ball, of course, but they are different ways of training. But in their measure they are both top."