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Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana midfielder Doctor Khumalo says he closely witnessed how Diego Maradona enjoyed a high status in Argentina during the South African’s brief spell in Buenos Aires with Ferro Carril Oeste in 1995.

Maradona passed away aged 60 on Wednesday of a heart attack, plunging the football world into mourning.

During his stint at Ferro Carril Oeste, on loan from Chiefs, Khumalo revisits the day at Boca Juniors’ home of La Bombonera where his team had visited for a league match.

Khumalo remembers how Argentina’s most iconic football ground reverberated when Maradona entered the stadium with his family.

“I remember the game we played against Boca Juniors on a Sunday‚ and we were warming up and I was wondering what all the hullabaloo was about,” Khumalo told Times Live.

“Because the stadium gets full at about 11 am. And‚ you must understand‚ that man is seen as a godfather of football‚ because football in Argentina is a sort of religion.

“In Argentina even the smaller teams get crowds. But when we played Boca‚ that was when I felt‚ ‘I am in Argentina’. I think there was five‚ 10 minutes left of the warm-up and I heard the crowd chanting‚ ‘Ma-ra-donna’. And I thought‚ ‘But this guy’s not playing’.

“Only to find that at the Boca Juniors' stadium he’s got his own private suite. So he just walked in with his family. And when I looked up I saw [Claudio] Caniggia‚ Maradona‚ the likes of [Gabriel] Batistuta‚ and I was like‚ ‘Wow.’”

Maradona was a La Bombonera hero after two stints as a player at Boca Juniors, punctuated by a spell in Europe where he turned out for Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla.

Khumalo explains how fans reacted at the sight of Maradona while inside La Bombonera as if they were on pilgrimage at a sacred place.

“And then what he [Maradona] does is he walks up to the front of his private suite‚ where there’s like a glass‚ and he’ll bow east‚ bow south‚ and bow west,” said Khumalo.

“And when he bows the crowd [in that stand] acknowledge him by raising their hands and say something in Spanish – and the stand at the other side does the same. So it’s sort of a synchronised way of greeting. So I was trying to figure out if Maradona is the one who invites those guys [Canigga, Batistuta and Diego Simeone] to his private suite.

"But I must say that guy is something else‚ not just in Argentina but the whole of South America.”

Ferro Carril Oeste lost 2-1 to Boca Juniors that day, with Khumalo playing the entire match and he was to return to La Bombonera in May 1998 for Bafana’s international friendly match against Argentina.

South Africans will also have memories of Maradona when he graced the 2010 Fifa World Cup as the Argentina coach.

Even though La Albiceleste’s campaign ended at the quarter-final stage after being thrashed 4-0 by Germany in Cape Town, the Maradona effect was felt.

“I did say that without Maradona the World Cup in South Africa would never be the same,” said Khumalo. “And Maradona‚ even as a coach‚ was one of the stars of the World Cup.”

South Africa Football Association (Safa) president Dr Danny Jordaan says a “piece of football has died” following the passing away of Diego Maradona.

The Argentina great died at the age of 60 at his home in Buenos Aires of a heart attack on Wednesday.

Jordaan’s fondest memory of Maradona was when the former Barcelona and Napoli forward was in South Africa for the 2010 Fifa World Cup which was the first time the tournament was staged on the African continent.

Arriving in South Africa as Argentina coach, Maradona was keen to prove to the world that he was the right man to lead La Albiceleste amid doubts over his pedigree to lead the team.

Argentina had almost missed out on qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

“Maradona was a football man. He put a human face on football. He was always accessible to football supporters and to the youth,” Jordaan told the Safa website.

“He would immediately take the ball, juggle with it and pose for pictures. Maradona was a supporter of the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa and the entire African continent. At one stage, he told me he was worried as Argentina almost failed to qualify for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. That qualification helped him to live his dream – to be the coach of his country in an African World Cup.”

While in South Africa, global media was on Maradona’s tail wherever he went, at one time mingling with school kids in Pretoria as well as South African football greats, a show of humility Jordaan praises.

“The staff behind the delivery of the event took pictures with Maradona at the headquarters of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. He then went to FNB Stadium to meet former South African footballers and that was a rewarding experience for both parties,” said Jordaan.

“So with Maradona’s death, a piece of football has died, the human face of football. He is clearly one of the greatest footballers ever to walk the earth. We will miss him, all those who worked in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, football will miss him.”

Argentina’s participation at the quadrennial tournament in South Africa ended at the quarter-final stage after they were drubbed 4-0 by Germany.

Borussia Dortmund director Michael Zorc has dismissed the ongoing transfer rumours surrounding Real Madrid-linked striker Erling Haaland.

Haaland has solidified his reputation as one of the most deadly strikers in European football since joining Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg for £18 million ($24m) in the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old has hit a staggering 33 goals in his first 31 outings for BVB across all competitions, with his latest double coming in a 3-0 home win over Club Brugge in the Champions League.

The Norwegian frontman is attracting plenty of high profile admirers after his bright start to life at Westfalenstadion, and is already being tipped to move onto an even bigger club, despite being tied to Dortmund through to 2024.

Real Madrid have been among those credited with an interest in Haaland, who reportedly has a €75 million (£67m/$89m) release clause in his current contract, which will become active in 2022.

However, Zorc is paying no attention to the speculation surrounding the ex-Salzburg star's future, as he told a press conference ahead of BVB's Bundesliga clash against Koln on Saturday: "We plan for the long term with Erling. [Rumours] do not have to be dealt with at all.

"I will see him with us for a long time."

Asked if it is important to carefully manage the weight of expectation on Haaland's shoulders at this stage of his career, the Dortmund chief responded: "You don't have to ground him at all.

"He exudes such a positive dynamic. Why should we slow it down now?

"He is leading the way, that is very good for us. I do not believe in artificially slowing positive developments."

Haaland will likely return to Lucien Favre's starting XI when Koln arrive at Westfalenstadion this weekend, with Dortmund aiming to keep the pressure on Bundesliga leaders Bayern with only a point separating the two sides.

BVB will then start preparing for another European encounter against Lazio on December 2. Favre's men will book their place in the Champions League knockout stages if they see off the Italian giants on home turf, having already picked up nine points out of a possible 12 in Group F.

Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew reveals he is yet to regain full fitness despite making a return to action on Wednesday after a brief spell on the sidelines.

The 30-year-old was a 46th-minute substitute for the Jack Army in their 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, capping his comeback with a sublime finish to fetch his side the equaliser.

He had been in the treatment room since sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty with Ghana earlier this month.

"I haven't done too much in the past 10 days. We knew I wasn't 100 per cent ready to start," Ayew explained, as reported by his club's official website.

“If he could have left me out, the gaffer would have done that to prepare me for Sunday, but that's football; you need to be ready.

“As the game was going on, I was preparing to come on. It was important to warm up well and not feel any pain in my hamstring, especially as it's an injury I've had for the first time in my career.

“I had to take care of it, the physio's been doing a great job on me - hours of work trying to get me back as soon as possible.

“I was a bit doubtful for Wednesday night but after this, I'm quite happy with how it felt.

“It wasn't the best, but it'll be better over the next few days and hopefully I'll be 100 per cent on Sunday."

Swansea are set to play as guests of Nottingham Forest on matchday 14 of the Championship on Sunday.

Wednesday's strike has taken his goal tally to six for the season, having featured in 12 games.

He is unarguably the Jack Army's talisman, a status underlined last season when he netted 16 times in 46 league games to finish the term as the club's top scorer and most valuable player.

Ayew rejoined Swansea for a second spell in 2018 after an unsuccessful stay with West Ham United.

He first transferred to the Wales-based Premier League club in 2015 from French outfit Olympique Marseille.

Ahmed Musa has debunked reports of his potential transfer to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, revealing his ambition to play in the top-flight.

The Nigeria international is currently without a club after leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in October by mutual agreement.

The fleet-footed winger has since been linked to the Hillsborough Stadium outfit but the 28-year-old has now distanced himself from the rumours.

"I don't know where the story [potential move to Sheffield] is coming from because I don't pay attention to rumours and gossip," Musa told BBC Sport Africa.

"With due respect to the club, I left Saudi Arabia to continue my career at the top level in Europe and that's the ambition.

"It's true that there is genuine interest from different clubs, but my agent Tony [Harris] is the one handling that.

"He knows what I want and I also know I want to play at the highest level at this stage of my professional career.

"I said when I left Saudi Arabia that my utmost desire is to challenge myself competitively at the top level both at the club and national team level.

"I've continued to keep myself fit for the next challenge and that is the only mindset I need right now. But, like every player representing the country, I want to play at the highest level."

Musa spent two years with Premier League club Leicester City but struggled to establish himself at the King Power Stadium.

The forward, subsequently left the Foxes in 2018 to team up with Al Nassr in his quest to enjoy more playing time but has now put his disappointment at Leicester behind him.

"For some reasons, things didn't actually work out there [at Leicester], but you can't focus too much on the past," he continued.

"I'd rather try to write a better story if another opportunity to play in the Premier League presents itself."

Besides playing for Leicester City, he also starred for Russian Premier League club CSKA Moscow, where he had two stints.

Musa is currently Nigeria national team captain and has 95 caps for the Super Eagles since he made his debut in 2010.

The forward played a key role as the West Africans secured their third Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013.

Kerala Blasters dominated the proceedings in the first half of the match against NorthEast United on Thursday but failed to secure all three points from the fixture.

Sergio Cidoncha took five minutes to put Blasters in front and their lead was doubled from the spot by Gary Hooper just before half-time. 

The complexion of the match, however, changed in the second half as the Highlanders looked like a completely different side and came from behind to equalize 2-2. Kwesi Appiah cut the deficit short in the 51st minute while substitute Idrissa Sylla, who troubled the opposition defence with his quick movement, scored the equaliser for the visitors. 

Kerala Blasters head coach Kibu Vicuna was disappointed with the final result as he believes that his team lost two points in the game. He also mentioned that his team started the match well and were on top initially but the match was wide open after the first goal.   

"I think we played really well in the first half, we had the ball, we controlled the match but after the first goal the match was very open and we don't like it when the matches are open. I think we are on our way but we're of course very upset and disappointed because today we lost two points," Kibu Vicuna said in the post-match interview. 

Vicuna was also delighted with Cidoncha's performance as he thought the Spanish midfielder played really well. The 49-year-old also mentioned that Sahal Abdul Samad was not fit to play in the match.  

"Yes, I think Sergio is playing really well, he scored a goal and he participated really well during the match. Sahal was not ready physically to play this match. Hopefully, he is ready to play in the next game," Vicuna added. 

Kerala Blasters will next take on Chennaiyin in an away fixture on Sunday.

Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna has stated they will not focus on Jacques Tuyisenge alone during the Caf Champions League encounter against APR in Kigali on November 28.

The Kenyan champions will visit their Rwandan counterparts for a preliminary round clash and since Tuyisenge, who left Gor Mahia in 2019 has since joined APR, Muguna cautioned it would not be prudent to focus only one player even if he is the dangerous one.

“So far the preparations are good as the players and the coaches are equally doing a good job. I can only say the team is good to go,” Muguna told Final Whistle.

“We are taking the game with a positive mindset but it is not about playing against Tuyisenge because we will be playing against the whole APR, not just one player.

“There are some dangerous players in the team and that is enough reason to focus on all of them and not just one person.”

The Kenyan Premier League-winning midfielder also explained how they are ready to deal with the pressure that will come with the two-legged encounter.

“If we perform at the highest level individually and as a team, then I know we will come out with a good result,” Muguna added.

“There is always pressure in what you do and we expect it this time around. We have been dealing with it.

“To beat pressure, one must believe in what he or she is doing, believe on the teammates and the coach and his game plan and that is the only way to deal with pressure.”

Gor Mahia fans will not be in a position to offer their support for the team due to the ban on social gathering but Muguna has stated they are ready to fight for good results just for them.

“I think we will miss our fans because they have always been part of us,” he concluded.

“We are going to miss them big but I know they are always very passionate and I know they will support the team even at home just because of the love they have for us.

“We love the team also and we will make sure we fight and keep it where it belongs even if the fans are not going to be there.”

Tanzania Mainland League giants Azam FC have parted ways with head coach Aristica Cioaba and his counterpart Costel Birsan.

The Ice-cream Makers reached the decision after recent struggles which have seen the team drop from top position. On Wednesday, the 2014 champions suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Yanga SC which greatly contributed to the club's decision.

"As Azam FC, we would like to notice our fans and football family at large that we have parted ways with head coach Aristica Cioaba on mutual consent," the Chamazi-based team announced on Thursday.

"Midfielders coach Costel Birsan has also been fired; all coaches are from Romania."

The 2014-league champions have confirmed their immediate plans as they look for replacements.

"As it stands, assistant coach Bahati Vivier, from Burundi, will now be in charge of the team on an interim basis until we announce otherwise," Azam continued.

"We take this opportunity to thank Cioaba and Costel for their contribution to the team in the entire period they were with the team and we wish them the best in their future endeavours."

Aristica Cioaba was re-appointed as Azam coach in October 2019.

The Romanian took the position of former coach Etienne Ndayiragije who was appointed Tanzania national team coach on a permanent basis. The tactician made a return to the team he parted ways with in 2018 following 'poor results'.

After starting the season on a high, the team started to drop points with the game against Mtibwa Sugar where they fell by a solitary goal. They went on to draw 1-1 with JKT Tanzania at the Azam Complex before bouncing back with a 3-0 win over Dodoma Jiji FC.

However, they once again shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at home to Mbeya City before recording back to back defeats to KMC and Timu ya Wananchi by 1-0 scorelines.

Azam have so far managed to get eight wins, a draw and three losses in the 12 matches played and are currently on 25 points.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a "f*cking bully!", according to Dimitar Berbatov, who says the Tottenham midfielder has been a "rock" for Jose Mourinho.

Hojbjerg completed a £15 million ($20m) move to Tottenham from Southampton on August 12, bringing to an end his four-year spell at St Mary's.

The 25-year-old committed to a five-year deal with the north London outfit, and has since enhanced his reputation as one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League.

Hojbjerg has been a fixture in Mourinho's line up at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, forming a formidable partnership with Moussa Sissoko in the middle of the pitch across 15 appearances in all competitions.

Berbatov has praised the Portuguese for recognising that the Denmark international was exactly the kind of player Spurs had been missing, while expressing his belief that the ex-Southampton star has been the unsung hero during his old club's rise to the top of the Premier League table.

"I think one of the major things in the Spurs team, from what I have seen so far, are the people in the middle of the park. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a f*cking bully, a rock in front of the defence," the former Tottenham striker told Betfair.

"He knows what he can and can't do and he's playing to his strengths. He doesn't really get much praise but he's there and he's doing all the work.

"Mourinho knew exactly what he wanted when they went into the market for a midfielder, and he certainly got all that and more in Hojbjerg."

Berbatov also reserved special praise for Sissoko, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, before insisting that Tottenham's 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend proved that they have what it takes to compete for the Premier League crown.

"Mousa Sissoko also plays a massive part alongside him and it's pleasing to see Tanguy Ndombele getting more and more games under his belt," he added.

"I don't really know what else to say about Harry Kane and Son, it's obvious they are amazing. Every player is producing great football at the moment and long may that continue.

"In the past, we've seen Mourinho favour a strong midfield, he has his own ideas about how his team should be structured and, at the moment, it's working perfectly for him.

"Spurs proved that they are serious title contenders with their win over Manchester City. It was a great win and it was probably exactly how Mourinho wanted the game to go.

"Even though I admire seeing the patient passing style of football with the ball on the ground, sometimes if you play like that and have 60 or 70 per cent of the ball you can still lose, as City did against Spurs.

"City cannot change their style of play and Spurs were so prepared for them, so focussed and in the end fully deserved the win. It's a big statement, it showed that they are ready and that they can challenge this year for the title."

Diogo Jota’s stunning start to life at Liverpool means that if the Champions League final were tomorrow, the Portuguese would be selected ahead of Roberto Firmino, according to Michael Owen.

The Reds moved to add another attacking option to their ranks during the summer transfer window. Jurgen Klopp put a £45 million ($58m) deal in place with Wolves, with Jota welcoming the opportunity to link up with the star-studded squad at Anfield.

The faith shown in him has been rewarded with eight goals in 13 appearances with the 23-year-old exceeding expectations on Merseyside.

Jota’s work rate and end product have endeared him to the fan base and led many to suggest that he has become impossible to drop.

Owen is among those to hold such an opinion, with the former Reds striker claiming that the established Brazil international No 9 would miss out if Klopp had to make the selection call.

“I think he’s under threat because no-one could’ve foreseen how good this lad is,” Owen told BT Sport of the challenge Firmino faces from Jota. “He surprised me, I liked him at Wolves, but all of a sudden, you watch him now and you think that he’s born to play in this Liverpool team.

“He’s quicker than I thought he was. I knew he was technically good, the timing of his runs, the way he’s linking, he has shown me that he can slot into those positions.

“The great thing about those strikers, they can all play with their backs to goal. They’re stronger than you think. [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane, in particular, they’re strong as an ox. They can run at you, they can all be all-round centre-forwards, but Jota has slipped in there seamlessly.

“You have to start him, if they had the Champions League final tomorrow, you can’t leave him out.”

Jota was introduced off the bench in Liverpool’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Atalanta in continental competition on Wednesday, which leaves the Reds' qualification for the Champions League round of 16 still under question.

However, he will be pushing hard for a recall when the Reds take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Gor Mahia are set to leave Kenya for Rwanda on Friday at 5 am, to play their hosts APR in the first preliminary round of the Caf Champions League, after securing their tickets.

The Kenyan champions were desperate to secure tickets owing to their financial struggles and in-house wrangles. However, the problem has now been solved and the team will now be leaving the country in less than 24 hours.

"The team is set to hit the run-way tomorrow to Kigali, Rwanda for the weekend’s Caf Champions League preliminary match against APR," club Chairman Ambrose Rachier has confirmed.

"We are just waiting for the players' Covid-19 results which we expect to get today."

K'Ogalo are set to undergo Covid-19 tests on Thursday afternoon, less than three days before they play APR Rwanda in their first preliminary round of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League.

The Kenyan champions have had internal wrangles with management, which was affecting the preparations of the team. 

"We are in the bus currently headed for Two Rivers where the Covid-19 tests will be conducted," a senior player who did not wish to be mentioned told Goal on Thursday.

"Until now, nobody has communicated to us when we are leaving. It is also psychologically disturbing since preparations start from the mind. The game is on Saturday, and we do not know what is happening.

"It is demoralizing, it is a shame for a big club like Gor Mahia facing these problems."

On Wednesday, the club's Secretary General Samuel Ochola conceded the team had no money when addressing the media on why he signed a letter allowing Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to sell their broadcast rights to StarTimes.

"The chairman alleged that FKF has not disclosed the amount of cash in the StarTimes partnership.

"This is the summary; every club gets KSh10 million for league participation, the sponsor also footing bills on branding, pays for referees, and covers production cost.

"Today, the chairman of Gor Mahia, who also doubles up as the chairman of KPL, knows that KPL gives a fraction of this sponsorship.

"Gor Mahia are broke! We want to gather any available monetary support to reduce the gaping operational cost even if there are no kickbacks to individuals; it is for the sake of the club."

Mikel Arteta has expressed his desire to keep academy graduate Folarin Balogun at Arsenal as the club will try to convince him to sign a new contract.

The 19-year-old whose current deal expires at the end of the 2020-21 season has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

Following his impressive performance with the Gunners’ youth setup, Balogun played his first game for Arsenal’s first team  - featuring for 14 minutes in their 3-0 Europa League defeat of Dundalk.

He is also in line to get his second appearance for the senior team having made the North Londoners’ cut for the trip to Norway.

Even at that, the Spaniard wants him to remain a Gunners as the club are doing all it takes to see him extend his deal.

"He is a player that I want to stay at the club," Arteta told club website.

"I love working with young players. You can see the talent is there, the ambition is there and he can fit with our structure and progress in the future.

"He's part of the DNA and myself and the club are working to try to extend his contract. We're trying to change the situation that we are in at the moment with him, and trying to convince him that this is the right place for him.

"The moment that I started to see more of the player and change certain things that I didn't agree with, we decided to give it a go, tried to convince the player, try to show him what we want to do with him, why he fits in with what we are trying to do at the club.”

"The young talent and the top talent that we produce at the academy is with the final aim to put them in the first team,” he continued.

"When I signed for this club it was one of the things that excited me the most because I love to work with them and it's part of our DNA and the history of the club.

“When we have them, let's keep them and we really think they are players that can take us to the next level."

Barcelona presidential candidate Toni Freixa remains “convinced” that Lionel Messi wants to remain at the club, but admits that discussions need to be held as soon as possible.

The Liga giants faced the very real threat of seeing their talismanic figure walk away from Camp Nou over the summer.

With Messi growing disillusioned with life on and off the field in Catalunya, the mercurial Argentine made a push for the exits. He was quickly informed that a break clause in his contract had expired, meaning that he was tied to terms through to the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Messi exclusively revealed to Goal that he will be honouring that agreement, but uncertainty continues to reign when it comes to his long-term future. With Barca putting no extension in place, their inspirational captain is free to speak with his many suitors from January.

Manchester City are said to retain interest in a player that has enjoyed considerable success working under Blues boss Pep Guardiola in the past.

Freixa, however, believes Messi can be talked into extending his career-long association with Barca.

He wants to be the one to make that dream a reality, ahead of elections on January 24, and will make meetings with a six-time Ballon d’Or one of his top priorities if he does take control of the boardroom vacated by Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Freixa told Cadena SER: “Messi has been everything and has to continue; my will is for him to continue, but one day he will have to leave. The day it happens, hopefully it will be never, but it is not a question of taking away my sleep.”

He added: “The Messi case is one of the important issues. The situation must be analysed and a series of decisions must be taken.

“To sit down and talk to Messi, you have to look him in the eye and see what everyone wants and what the club can offer. You have to ask him if he really wants to continue, which I'm convinced he does.”

Messi has not been at his sparkling best so far this season, but he has still contributed six goals and four assists to the Barca cause now being overseen by Dutch manager Ronald Koeman.

Busoga United and Kitara FC are hopeful of playing in the 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) after insisting they have met crucial requirements needed for club licensing.

The two teams were not part of the fixture draft for the forthcoming campaign and were given until Monday to work on their short-comings. The two teams believe they have done so and will be part of the top-tier teams for the upcoming campaign.

"We were not on the league draft fixture because of some internal issues with club licensing which we have now settled," Busoga United Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Ndyabahika confirmed.

"I have been in touch with the Licensing Committee and I spent two days at [the Federation of Uganda Football Associations], FUFA, I am very confident that we will play in the Ugandan Premier League next season.

The initial documents presented to the Federation did not match in terms of club ownership.

Kakindu Stadium, which was also presented as the venue for Busoga's home matches was deemed unfit to host top-tier games.

For Kitara, they had not confirmed their coach as well as players' contracts as required.

The club's CEO Joshua Atugonza believes it will be unfair if they will be relegated from the top tier.

"It will be an unfair decision to us," Atugonza stated. 

"We qualified sportingly to play in the UPL after winning the Big League playoffs in Njeru.

"It has been a small window for us to fulfill all those licensing requirements if you are to gauge us with other clubs who started to prepare for the league way back in April.  

"However, we have fulfilled all the necessary requirements and we are confident that we will play."  

The team has also written to the respective authorities to request to use Njeru.

Suppose the two clubs are not cleared, they will be relegated to the Fufa Regional League.

Of the 16 clubs in the top-tier, only seven have managed to meet the requirements set to be eligible to play in the league next season. The seven teams are the defending champions Vipers SC, KCCA FC who finished second, Express FC, Wakiso Giants, Onduparaka FC, Police FC and MYDA.  

Sergio Ramos has been told a move to Manchester United “would work out well”, with Dimitar Berbatov believing the Red Devils should snap up the World Cup winner if no new contract is agreed at Real Madrid.

As things stand, the long-serving captain at Santiago Bernabeu is going to become a free agent. His current terms with the Blancos are due to expire in the summer of 2021 with no extension put in place as yet.

Real remain optimistic when it comes to thrashing out an agreement with their talismanic skipper, but hope is being offered to potential suitors.

Berbatov believes United should be in the mix if Ramos is allowed to head for the exit in Madrid, with plenty of football left in the “world-class” 34-year-old.

The former Red Devils striker told Betfair : “There has been a lot of speculation about the future of Sergio Ramos, according to reports both the player and club are yet to come to an agreement on a new contract. With Ramos 34 years old, they are probably fighting over a one-year or two-year contract.

“Thiago Silva, who is even older at 36 years old, has proven that it is never too late to move to the Premier League and so far it is working out well for the Brazilian.

“I'm sure if Ramos wanted to move to a club like United then it would work out well for him too. He's in great shape, he's still a world-class defender and in my opinion there's still a lot of football left in him.

“I see him as a Real Madrid player, however, and I think player and club will find a solution and he will stay. I'll be surprised if he leaves, but if things don't work out then I'm sure a lot of clubs will be interested in him.”

United are considered to be in need of defensive additions, despite investing heavily in that department over recent years. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Eric Bailly have been snapped up, but Spain international Ramos would add vast experience at the very highest level to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the Premier League clubs that will have the opportunity to welcome back fans from next week, after the government announced the latest coronavirus tier system.

The latest update from the UK government has seen the cities of Liverpool and London placed in tier 2, meaning Jurgen Klopp's side, as well as Tottenham, Everton, Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham, can all have supporters in attendance at their stadiums.

With Manchester having been placed in tier 3, however, Manchester United and Manchester City will not yet be given the green light to allow fans back in.

The same rule has been applied to other areas of the country, affecting Wolves, Newcastle, Leeds, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, Leicester and Burnley, who will also not be allowed to open their stadiums for supporters at this moment in time.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced on Monday that a maximum of 4,000 fans would be allowed in to football matches in England, should the stadiums be in towns and cities that are in tier 1 of the government's tier system.

That does not, however, apply to any Premier League clubs, with Thursday's tier update stating that only Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight are currently in that threshold.

Of the 10 top-flight stadiums that fall under tier-2 restrictions, a maximum of 2,000 fans, or 50 per cent of their capacity - whichever is lower - will be allowed to attend fixtures from December 2, when the national lockdown ends.

Despite the announcement, it is unclear at this stage exactly how many of the 10 Premier League clubs will attempt to allow in supporters at the next opportunity, with Arsenal being the first to be able to welcome back fans for their Europa League clash against Rapid Vienna on December 3.

As for some of the other clubs, their first chance to allow up to 2,000 fans back in will be the 11th round of league fixtures beginning on December 5.

The north London derby, due to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, falls on that weekend, while Liverpool face Wolves at Anfield, Chelsea host Leeds United and Manchester United travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham.

Many of England's top-flight clubs have expressed their optimism at the proposed welcoming back of supporters to grounds, with Liverpool having released the following statement on Tuesday: "Liverpool Football Club welcomes the government's announcement regarding the proposed return of fans into sports stadia.

"We have greatly missed our supporters at Anfield and we look forward to welcoming them back when it is safe to do so.

"We will continue to work with our city partners, including Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and Spirit of Shankly, in order to establish the most up-to-date health guidance and the most effective process for the safe return of supporters.

"While we await confirmation of which tier the city of Liverpool will be placed in, we continue to work through our plans and will make further announcements in due course."

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo “couldn’t even dream” of earning the admiration that was reserved for Diego Maradona, says Ossie Ardiles.

An all-time great has passed away at the age of 60, with tributes pouring in for the Argentine icon from around the world.

Maradona was a flawed genius in many ways, with his career on and off the pitch seeing him struggle to handle the demands of life under the brightest of spotlights.

He was, however, forever driven by a desire to deliver on expectation and to give his adoring fan base something to shout about.

The 1986 World Cup winner offered cause for celebration on a regular basis for club and country, with his efforts for Argentina and Napoli forever etched into football folklore.

His legacy will stand the test of time, with former team-mate Ardiles of the opinion that no-one – not even Barcelona and Juventus superstars of the present – will get near to experiencing such widespread acclaim.

“To be Diego Maradona was incredibly beautiful,” 1978 World Cup winner Ardiles told the BBC.

“But on the other hand, it was not easy at all. Right from a really early age, he was subjected to the press all the time. He didn't have a normal childhood, he never had normal teenage years.

“Everybody wanted to be with him, everybody wanted a piece of him, so it was incredibly difficult.”

Ardiles added: “He will be remembered as a genius in football. You can see the extraordinary amount of interest that he generates.

“People like Ronaldo, or people like Messi, they couldn't even dream of having this kind of admiration.

“That was the Maradona phenomenon - all the time.”

Three days of national mourning are being held in Argentina for the nation’s favourite sporting son.

A larger-than-life character will never be forgotten, with Ardiles proud to have had the chance to play alongside a man who set standards that few will ever get close to emulating.

The former Tottenham midfielder said in the Daily Mail: “Diego was unique, that is the word.

“He was extraordinary, out of this world. He had feet like hands. I was blessed to play with the world's best players, but he was the greatest.

“What made him so special was his courage. It was always hostile for him, always a marked man. But he always wanted the ball. They kicked him - he wanted the ball even more.

“He was a winner. And I know, I'd play him at tennis! He just could not lose.”

Bruno Fernandes continues to display “Paul Scholes-esque” qualities at Manchester United, says Dimitar Berbatov, but the former Red Devils striker believes a talismanic presence can get even better.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has found considerable value in a deal done with Sporting during the last winter transfer window.

Fernandes slotted seamlessly into the fold at Old Trafford, with his presence providing the spark for a late-season run in 2019-20 that delivered a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.

There was a slight wobble from the Portuguese early in the current campaign, but high standards have been maintained by the talented 26-year-old.

His quality was on full display once more in a 4-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir, as Fernandes bagged a brace in that contest, and Berbatov sees shades of a United icon from the past in a leading man of the present.

“The opening goal in the win, that Bruno scored from outside the box, was amazing,” Berbatov told Betfair.

“Let me tell you, that technique is so difficult to do. I was never a big specialist at scoring from outside the box. Fernandes' strike was Scholes-esque, that was his specialty, you could imagine Paul Scholes scoring that one, when the ball comes across to him, bam and into the top corner. It was perfect execution.”

While talking up Fernandes’ current ability and value in Manchester, Berbatov believes the Portugal international can scale even greater heights by addressing the few faults that still exist in his game.

The Bulgarian added: “Fernandes has impressed me so much and the only weakness I see in him is his defensive side. He can improve a bit there.

“He's an attacking midfielder, though, who creates chances, scores goals and up the pitch is where he has his power. That's why I think it's good to have someone in the team to cover for him.

“Other than his defensive weakness, he is doing everything that the manager wants from him and, with 20 goals since he joined in January, he's certainly scored more than people expected.

“He is phenomenal in the passing and scoring department and since he joined the club he is doing everything that he needs to do.”