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Yerry Mina has hailed James Rodriguez as a "top player" and says the midfielder has had an uplifting impact at Everton.

The Colombia international joined the Toffees from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, reuniting with Carlo Ancelotti, who coached him in Spain and at Bayern Munich.

The 29-year-old has scored and assisted three goals in the Premier League this season to help guide his side to second place after six games.

Mina has been impressed by his Colombia co-star's form so far, telling AS: "Many doubted his quality, but he has shown that he is a top player.

"He trains well, eats well, spends all day thinking about things that will improve him. In one day with him you realise that he is a top professional.

"I have learned a lot from him and I want to continue learning, on and off the pitch. We are always together and I take the opportunity to observe and learn.

"He has the advantage that before receiving the ball he already knows where to play it and that gives us enormous agility in the attacks. 

"It has brought us closer together in terms of speed for the transition. In addition, he always wants to win and that is also contributing to the character of the team."

Everton started the Premier League campaign with four wins, but collected just one point from their last two matches heading into Sunday's clash at Newcastle.

"Except for the game against Southampton, things were going well. I'm thankful to God for that," Mina said when asked about his side's positive start.

"We worked well in pre-season, which has not been easy due to the Covid-19 issue, because we have had problems getting together to work, but we are on the right track thanks to the attitude of the players, the coaching staff and the club's facilities. 

"That is what has brought us to the top. We must go step by step. We don't think of anything else, no matter how much people say. 

"We have to continue as a family, because this is how things are going to turn out."

Franck Kessie was on the scoresheet as AC Milan secured a 2-1 victory over Udinese in Sunday’s Serie A game.

The 23-year-old midfielder was handed his fifth league start and shone, helping the Red and Blacks to extend their unbeaten run.

Kessie played in front of the back-four along with Algeria international Ismael Bennacer in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The San Siro outfit started the game on an impressive note, dictating the pace and dominating the possession in the opening 30 minutes.

They were soon rewarded for their efforts when Bennacer sent in a well-taken cross into the box which was controlled by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the 39-year-old set up Kessie, who fired home his effort.

Udinese made a spirited effort to level proceedings before the half-time break but were resisted by AC Milan’s defence.

After the restart, Luca Gotti’s men continued to press for an equalizer and got it in the 48th minute when Alessio Romagnoli brought down Ignacio Pussetto in the area.

Rodrigo De Paul swiftly dispatched the resulting penalty into the back of the net to bring his side back into contention in the encounter.

Ibrahimovic then scored the all-important winning goal with seven minutes left to play when he fired an overhead-kick beyond the reach of goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Kessie featured for the duration of the game, made 105 touches, the highest from any player in the encounter, and had a 92% successful pass rate besides his goal.

Bennacer, meanwhile, played for 57 minutes in his sixth league appearance for Stefano Pioli’s men in the current campaign before he was replaced by Sandro Tonali.

The victory helped AC Milan to extend their lead at the top of the league, having now secured 16 points from six games.

Kessie, who has two goals in 11 appearances across all competitions this season will hope to continue his fine performances when Milan take on Lille in a Europa League game on November 5.

Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Matthias Ginter has been favourably compared to Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos by Germany legend Lothar Matthaus.

Only defending champions Bayern Munich and third-placed RB Leipzig have conceded fewer goals than Gladbach in the early weeks of the Bundesliga season, and much of that is due to the influence of Ginter, Matthaus has claimed.

The centre-back, who has not missed a second of action for his side this season, turns 27 in January and the World Cup winner believes that his best is ahead of him.

"Ginter has become a leader at the back, in a similar way to Ramos at Real," Matthaus told Sky Deutschland.

"He doesn't just give instructions to his team-mates but leads them as well. That's what Ginter is doing really well at the moment. He reminds me of Ramos."

Matthaus has argued that there has been a change in the approach of the Germany international, who has won 33 caps for his country and contributed a couple of goals.

“He's full of confidence nowadays, and has become a big personality,” he said. “In the past, he wasn't as vocal and tended to follow the pack. Now he's taking on responsibility and making important decisions - defensively and in attack.”

With a contract that expires in less than two years, the defender should be seen as a priority for his side, who must retain him, in Matthaus’ opinion.

“His current contract is up in 2022, but Borussia need to sit down with him and tie him down for longer,” he said. “Ginter has made huge strides of late, and is only going to get better.”

Monchengladbach scored a notable 1-0 win over Leipzig on Saturday thanks to a goal from Hannes Wolf, moving them up to fourth in the Bundesliga standings.

They will tackle Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, a match that has been selected for one of the early kick-off slots.

They have drawn their first two matches in the European competition, against Inter and Real Madrid.

SuperSport United fought back to hold Bloemfontein Celtic to a 1-1 draw in the 2020 MTN8 semi-final first-leg match which was played at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Siwelele took the lead through Ndumiso Mabena in the first half, but his strike was cancelled out by Ghampani Lungu's goal after the restart. 

Matsatsantsa were wounded after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat to Lamontville Golden Arrows in a PSL clash in midweek which was their first defeat of the season. 

Coach Kaitano Tembo named an offensive-minded team with strikers Iqraam Rayners, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Bradley Grobler deployed in attack ahead of playmaker Ghampani Lungu. 

While Phunya Sele Sele were also coming off their maiden defeat of the season having suffered a 1-0 loss to Swallows FC in a league clash on Wednesday.

Ndumiso Mabena made his first appearance of the campaign for coach John Maduka's side and the Celtic captain, who had recovered from an injury, was partnered with Victor Letsoalo upfront.

SuperSport dominated possession in the opening exchanges, but they looked vulnerable at the back whenever they lost the ball and they were punished by Mabena.

The hosts lost possession in midfield and Letsoalo quickly sent Mabena through on goal and the former Orlando Pirates striker made no mistake as he scored to make it 1-0 to Celtic in the 14th minute.

Matsatsantsa tried to respond with a goal, but Bradley Grobler placed his volleyed effort over the crossbar without troubling Jackson Mabokgwane in the visitors' goal-posts.

Celtic's two frontmen Letsoalo and Mabena were able to penetrate the hosts' defence with ease with the experienced duo of Bongani Khumalo and Clayton Daniels struggling to contain them.

Letsoalo had two good goalscoring opportunities, but he was brilliantly denied by SuperSport keeper Ronwen Williams twice with Tembo's side living dangerously at the back. 

Celtic were deservedly leading 1-0 at the interval with Mabena having netted an important away goal for the Free State giants.

The Tshwane giants came back fired up following their half-time team talk with their Zimbabwean tactician Tembo and they managed to level matters through Lungu.

The Zambia international scored from close range to make it 1-1 in the 50th minute after his initial shot was blocked on the goal-line with the Celtic defence in sixes and sevens. 

Phunya Sele Sele then suffered a blow as Mabokgwane went down injured and the former Bafana Bafana international was replaced by Sipho Chaine.

The momentum was with SuperSport in the closing stages of the match with Tembo having introduced attackers Moses Waiswa and Evans Rusike. 

However, the Siwelele defence was solid and compact and the hosts resorted to long-range shots with Waiswa and Teboho Mokoena both missing the target from outside the box.

Ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw and Celtic are set to host SuperSport in the second-leg clash at Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday, November 7. 

The winner on aggregate will take on either Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs in the final with the former having secured a 3-0 win in the first-leg encounter at home on Saturday.

Netherlands legend Marco van Basten has claimed that being a manager is bad for your health.

As a player, Van Basten was one of the outstanding forwards of his generation, scoring a memorable goal for the Netherlands in the 1988 European Championship final against the USSR and starring for the likes of Ajax and AC Milan.

Injury forced him to retire and, in 2004, he moved into management. He had stints with the Netherlands, Ajax, Heerenveen and AZ, but admits that the job wasn’t for him and he is delighted to no longer be doing it.

“I’m not a good manager,” he told The Guardian . “I can train players and talk about football. But losing as a manager was so painful, I couldn’t live with it.

"As a manager you have to be positive to your guys, as a father to his sons, and that was one thing I really didn’t have.

“The profession is also bad for your health. When I became the assistant, I was intelligent and helpful. I had patience. As the head coach I was completely the opposite.

“I made a good decision to get out. I’m now doing other things and feel much freer. I do some business and work for television, talking about football. I still have a nice wife, nice children, two grandchildren. We’re all healthy. So I’m enjoying life.”

Meanwhile, he believes he was lucky to enjoy the career he did, despite having to hang up his boots aged just 28.

“I don’t have any pain but I am limited,” he said. “I can’t play tennis or football. But I play squash and I am thankful.

“Looking back I was feeling it was a pity I couldn’t finish my career after winning more [Champions League titles]. I wanted to show more of myself.

“Some players have 18 years in football. But some players are injured before they start. When I thought like that I said: ‘If I compare with that, I have been very lucky. At least I had 10 years of a beautiful experience that changed my life for ever.’”

Cristiano Ronaldo returned from coronavirus to rescue Juventus from a third straight Serie A stalemate with a brace in their 4-1 win at Spezia on Sunday.

Andrea Pirlo's men had been held by both Crotone and Hellas Verona in the absence of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner before he finally tested negative on Friday and was cleared to make his comeback.

Ronaldo was still only fit enough to make the bench, however, and watched on as Alvaro Morata's opener was cancelled out by Tommaso Pobega in fortuitous fashion and the Bianconeri subsequently toiled.

Inevitably, Pirlo turned to his talisman and the 35-year-old netted just 126 seconds after his arrival, later converting a Panenka penalty for his second after fellow substitute Adrien Rabiot had all but secured a welcome victory.

Morata – denied three times by the offside flag against Barcelona in midweek – was grateful for a VAR review as he tapped in the opener from an onside position following Weston McKennie's unselfish square pass.

A second Morata goal was ruled out, however, and another decision went against Juve as Spezia levelled.

Pobega fired beyond Gianluigi Buffon with the aid of a deflection as the Bianconeri appealed in vain that M'Bala Nzola had made the telling touch while offside. 

A sublime last-ditch Julian Chabot challenge denied Juan Cuadrado in front of the goal line late in the first half, but Pirlo did not wait long after the restart to introduce Ronaldo

The impact was immediate as the Portuguese rounded Ivan Provedel from Morata's pass to slot into the net.

While Juve survived another scare as Kevin Agudelo saw a leveller chalked off when Buffon spilled Chabot's header, Rabiot put the result beyond doubt, dancing through the Spezia defence and finishing via the post.

And when Federico Chiesa was clumsily tripped Paolo Bartolomei, Ronaldo clipped a cute spot-kick down the centre of the goal for number four.

What does it mean? Juve so reliant on Ronaldo

Any team would miss a player of Ronaldo's quality, but Juventus have won just seven of their 14 matches without the Portuguese since he signed in 2018 - hardly title-winning form.

Without a legal shot on target against Barca in the Champions League, the Bianconeri were struggling again until Ronaldo intervened to ensure they remain within four points of early leaders Milan.

He played just 34 minutes but no team-mate had more shots than his two – and both hit the net.

Morata making his mark

So frustrated by the officials last time out, Morata's perseverance paid off as he got his goal here – and an assist for Ronaldo to boot.

The Spanish striker was on the move throughout and, while that meant he was again caught offside on one occasion, going on to score, he caused Spezia real problems.

With Ronaldo back, there is the formation of an exciting partnership. Morata created two chances in total.

Buffon's blunders

While one veteran got Juve over the line, another threatened to derail them.

A deflection understandably deceived Buffon for Spezia's goal, but he was fortunate to escape with the offside second equaliser, making a mess of one of only two saves.

What's next?

Juve return to Champions League action at Ferencvaros on Wednesday, while Spezia do not play again until Saturday's trip to Benevento.

Percy Tau was in action as Paul Mukairu scored the only goal in Anderlecht’s 1-0 victory over Royal Antwerp in Sunday’s Belgian First Division A game.

Tau was handed his eighth start of the season following his eye-catching performances in his last two games, where he scored against OH Leuven and Kortrijk.

The South Africa international formed a three-man midfield along with Peter Zulj and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The forward shone in the game to help the Purple and White secure their fifth win of the season at Lotto Park with Nigerian forward Mukairu coming off the bench to make a difference.

The first-half saw a few goal-mouth actions and both sides missed a number of scoring opportunities before the break.

After the restart, Anderlecht pushed for the opener and made some changes in their quest to realize their target, including introducing Mukairu for Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu in the 63rd minute.

The Nigerian forward, who is on loan from Turkish club Antalyaspor, wasted no time to announce himself in the encounter.

The 20-year-old broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a well-taken strike after receiving a sumptuous pass from Lokonga.

The strike was all the Purple and White needed to secure victory in the encounter and move to fifth spot on the league table with 20 points from 11 matches.

Tau featured for 78 minutes before making way for Josh Cullen. He made five key passes and had 46 touches on the ball.

The Democratic Republic of Congo international Dieumerci Mbokani played for the entirety of the game but could not help his side avoid defeat.

Tau and Mukairu will hope to help Anderlecht continue their winning form when they take on Gent in their next league game on November 8.

Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.

The 83-year-old's condition was confirmed to The Telegraph by his wife, Lady Norma, who hopes making the news public will help others suffering from dementia. 

The confirmation comes just two days after Charlton's former United team-mate Nobby Stiles passed away having suffered from the same disease. 

Charlton appeared in 758 games for the Red Devils, making him the club's all-time top appearance maker until 2008, when Ryan Giggs broke his record. 

The legendary forward won three First Division titles, the European Cup and FA Cup with the club between 1956 and 1973 before he left to join Preston.

He also made 106 appearances for England and was the country's top goalscorer with 49 goals until he was overtaken by Wayne Rooney.

Charlton won the 1966 World Cup with the national team as well as the competition's Golden Ball. 

United paid tribute to their former star, who remains on the club's board, and offered support to his family on Sunday.

“Everyone at Manchester United is saddened that this terrible disease has afflicted Sir Bobby Charlton and we continue to offer our love and support to Sir Bobby and his family," a statement read.

Former England star Gary Lineker tweeted: "Yet another hero of our 1966 World Cup winning team has been diagnosed with dementia. Perhaps the greatest of them all, [Sir Bobby]. This is both very sad and deeply concerning."

Charlton is the fifth member of England's World Cup-winning squad to be diagnosed with dementia, after his older brother, Jack, who died in July, Stiles, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson.

In October last year, a study into the links between football and the disease funded by the Football Association found that former players are three-and-a-half times more likely to die from dementia than non-players in the same age range.

Zesco United were denied a victory in their Zambian Super League opener by a late Napsa Stars equaliser, as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Woodlands Stadium on Sunday.

Clement Mwape had scored the opener for Zesco United early in the first half but a late goal by Burundian international Laudit Mavugo ensured the tie ended in a draw.

New signing Kelvin Kampamba delivered a good free kick in the 11th minute for which Mwape rose and headed past Kenyan goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji to break the deadlock.

The Pensioners had to make a change in the 20th minute when Bornwell Mwape had to walk off after picking up a knock and Chanda Mushili was introduced.

Bruce Musakanya – another of Timu ya Ziko's new signings – would have added a second goal in the 24th minute but his goal-bound powerful shot from outside the area was blocked by congested opponents in the box.

Zesco United thought they had doubled their lead in the 41st minute when Kenyan international Jesse Were scored before it was later ruled out for offside.

Were came close to scoring his first goal of the season again in the 45th minute but his effort went off target just before the teams headed for the half-time break.

An unlucky Zesco United saw their second goal ruled out for offside in the 50th minute when Mwila Phiri scored after a good build-up.

Timothy Otieno – who recently joined Napsa Stars from Tusker – was withdrawn in the 54th minute and his place was filled by Austin Banda.

Goalscorer Mavugo was brought on two minutes after the Otieno substitution as he came on to replace John Sikaumbwe.

Were was substituted in the 68th minute as his place was taken by Edward Tembo while David Odhiambo came on in the 72nd minute to replace Clement Mwape.

Former Kenyan Premier League top scorer John Makwatta was given a chance a minute before the final whistle as coach Numba Mumamba made changes hoping to double the lead in his first league game in charge.

Instead, Napsa Stars got an equaliser when Mavugo collected a neat pass from Luka Banda to ensure the sides shared the points in the season-opener.

Napsa Stars Staring XI: Shaban Odhoji, Aaron Kabwe, Bornwell Silengo, Luka Banda, Luka Ng’uni, Dickson Chapa, Jacob Ngulube, John Sikaumbe, Bornwell Mwape, Simon Nkhata, Timothy Otieno.

Subs: Muchelenganga, Chanda Mushili, Austin Banda, Amos Simwanza, Laudit Mavugo, Daniel Adoko, Lawrence Chungu.

Zesco United Staring XI: Ian Otieno, Simon Silwimba, Mwila Phiri, Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama, Samuel Sikaonga, Jesse Were, Logic Chinga'andu, Winstone Kalengo, Kelvin Kampamba, Bruce Musakanya

Subs: Jacob Banda, David Odhiambo, Edward Tembo, David Molinga, John Chingandu, Lazarous Phiri, John Makwatta

Rangers defeated Kilmarnock 1-0 in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership game to extend their unbeaten run in the 2020-21 campaign.

Undefeated in all fixtures so far this term, Steven Gerrard’s men went to Rugby Park and picked up their fifth away win thanks to James Tavernier’s strike.

The Gers showed great strength in the early stages and just six minutes into the encounter, they created the first goalscoring chance. Cedric Itten found space on the right, cut the ball back for Ryan Kent but his near-post shot was blocked by Kirk Broadfoot.

He soon had his effort from 15 yards kept off, before Nigeria’s Aribo struck a scorching half-volley which went inches over the crossbar.

In the 18th minute, Borna Barisic’s free-kick was met by Connor Goldson in the box but Ross Millen had his hand above his head and the ball clearly struck it – prompting the referee Andrew Dallas to award a penalty.

Captain Tavernier stepped up to beat goalkeeper Danny Rogers for his tenth goal of the season.

They almost doubled their lead in the 35th minute, albeit, Goldson’s header from Tavernier’s corner kick sailed just over the crossbar.

Aribo came close to doubling his team’s advantage but his deflected shot from 18 yards wriggled past the goal post.

In the second half, Rangers continued from where they left off as they searched endlessly for a second goal.

Scott Arfield had his shot blocked from Ryan Kent’s cross before, in the next attack, Alfredo Morelos’ turn and shot in the box hit a defender and went out for a corner kick.

In the closing stages, Killie regrouped in their quest for a late equaliser, nevertheless, that proved futile as Gerrard’s men left Rugby Park with all three points.

Aribo was replaced in the 66th minute by Steven Davis, while his compatriot Leon Balogun was an 86th-minute replacement for Morelos. South African Bongani Zungu midfielder who is on loan from Amiens, was not listed for the low-scoring game.

For Kilmarnock, Congo DR midfielder Aaron Tshibola was handed a starter’s role before he was replaced by compatriot Youssouf Mulumbu with 12 minutes left to play. Nicke Kabamba was substituted for Eamonn Brophy in the 74th minute as Congolese defender Clevid Dikamona was axed for the tie.

Thanks to this win, Rangers remain at the summit of the Scottish top-flight log with 35 points from 13 outings. They travel to Portugal for a date with Benfica in Thursday's Europa League Group D showdown.

Andrea Pirlo says he was waiting for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to action for Juventus after he helped fire them to a 4-1 win at Spezia on Sunday.

Ronaldo had not featured for the Italian champions since late-September because he tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Portugal.

The 35-year-old was named among the substitutes for the Serie A match against the newly-promoted side and was introduced 11 minutes into the second half, replacing Paulo Dybala.

Ronaldo needed just three minutes to find the net and restore his side's lead and then converted a penalty with 15 minutes remaining to round off the scoring.

Pirlo was happy with his side's performance, which lifted them back up to second place in the table. 

"We changed our system a bit, we knew Arthur would have been more free to play a little behind. Ronaldo is improving and we were waiting for him," the coach told Sky after the game.

"Both him and Dybala are improving, let’s see how everyone feels in the coming days.

"We always play with four defenders in the defensive phase. I had these players available, when everyone will be back we’ll see how we can play but the setting will be the same.

"We are improving, some players are coming back from injuries and we’ll have time to work on our ideas.

"Slowly, we’ll see in games those situations that we are preparing during trainings. We need to pick up the players between the lines, once we do it, we only need to think about attacking their area.

"I’m trying to simplify the defensive phase with two tight lines, we need to be more aggressive once we lose the ball, it’s less tiring to run five metres ahead rather than track back for 70 metres."

He added: "We played a good match in the second half. We were well placed on the pitch with the desire to win and Ronaldo gave us a hand."

Juventus return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they travel to Hungary to face Ferencvaros. They are second in Group G after two games and three points behind Barcelona, having lost 2-0 to Ronald Koeman's side in midweek.

Soy United left it late to beat MCF on post-match penalties, to book a place in the second tier FKF National Super League on Sunday.

The Division One League promotion playoff played at the Utalii Grounds in Nairobi had ended 1-1 in regulation time.

After a cagey first half, Lwamba Bebeto got MCF on the front foot with a 65th-minute goal before Soy United levelled matters in the 77th minute via Timothy Muganda for a 1-1 scoreline.

However, neither of the sides could manage a winner in regulation time, and in the resultant shootout, Soy United scored ten, against MCF’s nine, to seal a slot in the second tier.

On Saturday, Kisumu All-Stars gained an advantage in the FKF Premier League/National Super League promotion/relegation playoff when they drilled out a 2-1 win, away from home.

The second leg has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 5.

Willies Otenda powered the visitors into the lead in the fifth minute from the penalty spot and Vihiga United were unable to find an equaliser before the game went into the half-time break.

Dennis Wafula, who came on in the second half, equalised for Vihiga United in the 76th minute but Otenda returned with his second goal to restore the lead in the 80th minute.

Despite the lead advantage, All-Stars coach Andrew Aruka has maintained they still have a lot to do in the second leg to be assured of keeping their status in the top league.

“The two away goals do give us an advantage but we are not out of the woods yet and we must get the job done in the second leg,” Aroka is quoted by FKF Premier League social media pages.

“Football is unpredictable and anything can happen in the next game, so we can’t afford to be complacent.”

On his part, Vihiga coach Sammy Okoth blamed the team’s early penalty for the defeat, saying it disorganized his plans as the players started to give away balls in the middle of the pack.

“The early penalty undid our game plan completely,” Okoth explained. “We rushed into every decision we made after that and it played hugely to the benefit of our opponents.

“All-Stars’ plan also seemed to like it was geared around creating stoppages as they were too many of them and the game never really flowed.”

Kisumu All-Stars, promoted at the end of the 2018/19 season from the National Super League (NSL), found their maiden campaign in the top-tier tough and now have to navigate the playoffs to remain in the top flight.

They only managed to register eight points, two wins, two draws and 12 losses before the league was cancelled in May.

Anyone who thinks Manchester United are capable of challenging for titles while Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Fred are their options in midfield are living in “cuckoo land”, says former captain Roy Keane.

McTominay and Fred have started three out of United’s last four matches in all competitions since their 6-1 thrashing against Tottenham last month and were once again paired together for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Matic meanwhile is seen as a reliable back-up, making just five appearances in all competitions so far this campaign.

Keane, however, believes United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being too patient with the trio as he feels they are simply not good enough if the club wants to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

The former Republic of Ireland international believes Solskjaer should instead experiment with other more dynamic options, including summer signing Donny van de Beek.

The Netherlands international has made just three starts for United since his £35 million ($45m) summer switch from Ajax, none of those being in the Premier League.

“There’s nothing wrong with Man United winning a game 3-1, or 3-2, you’ve got to get on the front-foot," he told Sky Sports.

"Last year, Chelsea scored more goals than them, Leicester scored more goals than them. People talk about Fred and McTominay in midfield, they’ve had their chance, we’ve seen them.

"I don’t think they’re bad players, but they won’t get United back to winning league titles. Tim [Cahill, fellow pundit on Sky] makes a point there about Man United having great players, I don’t see it, I don’t see the great players.

"They have some very good players, but they need to show a bit more. Van de Beek has come into the club, and there’s nothing wrong with biding your time, but if you think Fred, McTominay and Matic in midfield will get Man United back to the heights of winning titles, then you’re living in cuckoo land.

"They won’t, I think they’re good players - I like them - but not to the next level, and that’s surely what United are looking for.”

Wolves winger Adama Traore used to terrorise defences during his youth days in Spain due to his electric pace, his former Barcelona youth coach Andres Carrasco has said.

In trying to stop him, opponents would often resort to crude tactics, but this bullying failed to stop him reaching the top.

The 24-year-old has since dramatically bulked up and is now regarded as one of the most exciting wingers in the Premier League.

“When Adama had the ball in a one against one, the defenders didn’t even smell him. He created total panic among them,” Carrasco told The Sun.

“There were a lot of 11-year-old boys at Barcelona who gave the impression they were three or four years older. Adama wasn’t like that. He was very small — one of the smallest in the team — but really caught our attention.

“When we defended a corner, we’d put him on the edge of box to take advantage of the rebounds. With his speed we’d go straight up to the other end — he scored a lot like that.

“When he was a little boy I’ve never seen so many brutal and dirty tackles against a player in grassroots football.

“The incredible thing is Adama kept getting kicked and we’d have our hands over our faces that he’d be badly injured — but he always got up as if nothing had happened.”

His direct style was not necessarily an easy fit for the tiki-taka style of football he grew up with at Barcelona, and Carrasco says that leaving the club might have been the best thing he could have done.

“English football is made for him and obviously he has silenced any who doubted him,” the now Kuwait coach explained.

“Look at the international market, there are no players of his ability to destroy defenders in a one vs one.

“He is the best — Adama can change a game.”

Adama is still searching for his first goal or assist of the new Premier League campaign but will hope to get it when Wolves travel to face Leicester on Sunday. Last term, he wound up with four goals and nine assists in the league.

Zesco United striker Jesse Were has explained why the 2020/21 Zambian Super League season opener against Napsa Stars will be the perfect start for the Ndola club.

Zesco United will kick off the campaign with a game against Pensioners on Sunday and Timu Ya Ziko’s all-time top-scorer believes given the opponents are strong they will, in turn, raise the stakes of the game even higher.

“It is a new season and everyone has been waiting for the campaign to start. This one has started in style especially that we are playing another big team [Napsa Stars],” Were told the club’s portal.

“It will be a big competitive game. We are a strong side especially with the changes and additions made to the club.”

The Kenya international also spoke about the readiness ahead of the new season in which they would hope to have a better campaign compared to the last one.

“The morale in the team is high. Everyone is working very hard to try and prove to the coach that they deserve to be in the starting eleven. We are determined to do well and fight for positions,” he added.

“I can safely say we have rested a lot and now everyone is mentally and physically ready to start the campaign. We have had time to recover and focus on the next challenge.”

Zesco United are expected to give prominent roles to players like Kelvin Kampamba and Bruce Musakanya, who were signed recently, and Were has welcomed the duo into the fold.

“The mixture of young and senior players has also been an extra motivation because everyone knows that they need to work hard,” the forward concluded.

“We're excited at the prospect of playing alongside [Kelvin] Kampamba and [Bruce] Musakanya. These are experienced and very good players that any striker in the league will want to play with.

“They are doing very well at the international level and I am happy that they are in our team and they will help me score goals.”

Were’s statement comes a few days after coach Numba Mumamba said they are aware of Napsa Stars’ strength’s, they have enough ammunition to deal with them.

“Napsa Stars have shown that they are a good side in the last two seasons,” the former Zambia international said at the time.

“As we go to Napsa we need to be aware that this is a different team from what we were used to in the past. They are now another powerhouse in the country.

“We have enough ammunition in this team that can help get the desired results. What we need is to prepare the team and psych them properly for us to come back with a positive result.”

Napsa Stars won their last match against Zesco United with a 2-1 scoreline.

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye says some Amakhosi players do not deserve to play for the club and Gavin Hunt has not made any improvements to the team coached by his predecessor Ernst Middendorp.

This was after Chiefs lost 3-0 in Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final, first leg clash against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium.

It was another heavy defeat for Hunt and his men after they fell 3-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a Premier Soccer League match seven days earlier.

Khanye, who was critical of Middendorp's tactics last season, feels that Chiefs were not up to the Pirates task on Saturday with most of the burden falling on Khama Billiat.

“One team was playing. It was Orlando Pirates versus Khama Billiat,” Khanye told iDiskiTV.

“The Kaizer Chiefs structure is dead. I respect people but some players do not even deserve to be there. If you check, the real test came against Pirates. I said it at the start of the season that last season’s team never showed up.

“I’m talking about players, there is nobody new. And the coach they hired is similar to Ernst Middendorp. I understand that he didn’t sign players but these are Kaizer Chiefs players.

"If you check Gavin Hunt, he plays programmed, textbook football. Tyson [Pirates defender Thulani Hlatshwayo] marked [Leonardo] Castro on second balls and then he was dead.

“They managed first 20 to 30 minutes Khama was giving Pirates problems but Tyson stayed closely on Khama’s back and they cut supply. Then team was then dead.”

What could be more worrisome for Hunt is that his forwards are yet to score in four games this season.

The only goals Chiefs have managed this season is a brace by left-back Yagan Sasman and an own goal by Chippa United defender Gregory Damons.

Khanye feels that most Chiefs attackers are not putting in enough effort, while voicing his opinions on Lebogang Manyama and Castro.

“Manyama again did not come to the party. He is a playmaker and we want him to play, he must give something to Kaizer Chiefs,” said Khanye.

“He was given the armband [against Pirates], he was called for the national team. That’s why I question South African football. You can only be good when you show up. If given the chance, show up.

“Today [Saturday] Kaizer Chiefs players were tested. Their back four was not good. When Pirates were in possession, they were squeezing the Chiefs defence and playing balls behind them. Chiefs could not even stitch four passes.

“[Kearyn] Baccus has some match-fitness, I love him and he played well. Castro was caught offside a number of times because he is lazy. I don’t like lazy players.

"I also don’t like it when Chiefs play with a target man. They must play like Pirates or Sundowns. If Pirates, Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns excel, the national team would be strong. But who can you pick at Chiefs? Manyama? That is daylight robbery.”

Hunt has insisted on handing more playing opportunities to Njabulo Blom and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo who are both 20 years old.

The Chiefs coach is also an admirer of Lebogang Lesako, who is 21, as well as 17-year-old Keletso Sifama, but Khanye feels the players should be treated with kids gloves.

“The Chiefs structure is dead. Those boys being called youngsters like [Happy] Mashiane, it’s almost his fourth season at Chiefs now and the boy is 22, he is not a youngster,” Khanye added.

“When you are wearing the Chiefs shirt there is nothing like being a youngster. Your salary comes straight to you.

"You are a Kaizer Chiefs player and not youngster. That team is big. I played for this club at the age of 17 and a lot was expected from me. Not only me but anybody who joined the team.”

Kisumu All-Stars have admitted they are not off the hook yet despite taking a 2-1 advantage against Vihiga United in the FKF Premier League play-off on Saturday.

The Kisumu-based giants won the first leg at Mumias Complex and will now head into the return leg set for November 3 in Kisumu with a good chance of returning to the top-flight for another season.

However, despite the lead, All-Stars coach Andrew Aruka has maintained they still have a lot to do in the second leg to be assured of keeping their status in the top league.

“The two away goals do give us an advantage but we are not out of the woods yet and we must get the job done in the second leg,” Aroka is quoted by FKF Premier League social media pages.

“Football is unpredictable and anything can happen in the next game, so we can’t afford to be complacent.”

On his part, Vihiga coach Sammy Okoth blamed the team’s early penalty for the defeat, saying it disorganized his plans as the players started to give away balls in the middle of the pack.

“The early penalty undid our game plan completely,” Okoth explained. “We rushed into every decision we made after that and it played hugely to the benefit of our opponents.

“All-Stars’ plan also seemed to like it was geared around creating stoppages as they were too many of them and the game never really flowed.”

Willies Otenda powered the visitors into the lead in the fifth minute from the penalty spot and Vihiga United were unable to find an equaliser before the game went into the half-time break.

Dennis Wafula, who came on in the second half, equalised for Vihiga United in the 76th minute but Otenda returned with his second goal to restore the lead in the 80th minute.

Kisumu All-Stars, promoted at the end of the 2018/19 season from the National Super League (NSL), found their maiden campaign in the top-tier tough and now have to navigate the playoffs to remain in the top flight.

They only managed to register eight points, two wins, two draws and 12 losses before the league was cancelled in May.

Harambee Stars midfielder Kenneth Muguna believes Brian Mandela possesses characteristics that will make him a success at Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 26-year-old was signed by Masandawana a couple of days ago on a three-year deal, with an option to extend by a further two years. The Gor Mahia captain has explained how it feels like to play with the towering defender.

"I have played with Mandela several games and the latest one was our 2-1 win against Zambia in a friendly match staged at Nyayo Stadium on October 9," Muguna told Goal.

"He has the ability to start build-up from the back even when the team is under pressure. He can pick a pass to our team’s advantage and to be honest, not many defenders have the ability to do that."

The 24-year-old also believes the PSL champions will enjoy a more stable backline after the arrival of the Kenya international.

"Mandela is also good at communicating; I remember him guiding me on several occasions, and on most occasions, what he says works to your advantage," Muguna added.

"You could hear him command the backline well. It is such communication and leadership that Sundowns will enjoy at the back.  

"He will bring much-needed stability at the back and usually when the defence is stable, the midfield plays well and the whole team enjoys. In such a scenario, the team has higher chances of winning."

In the 2019/20 season, the Brazilians conceded 22 goals in the 30 matches they played. They had recorded 17 wins, eight draws, and five defeats, scoring 43 goals in the process. 

The Tshwane-based side had the joint best defence with Bidvest Wits, who finished the season in the fourth position.  

As a new player, a lot will be needed from him to convince the technical bench that he has what it takes to be considered in the team's first XI. There is, at times, the pressure to perform, and in some cases, players flop. Will it be the same case with Mandela?   

"Mandela having pressure? No, not from the player of his calibre," Muguna opined.

"He understands his game and I expect him to have an immediate impact at Sundowns."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his remarkable scoring streak with an acrobatic late strike to secure Milan a 2-1 win over Udinese, stretching the Rossoneri's unbeaten run in all competitions to 24 games.

Stefano Pioli's men appeared to be heading for an underwhelming draw with a side that had lost all but one of their first five Serie A games this term, but Ibrahimovic was decisive in the latter stages as he became the first Milan player to score in six successive league appearances since he accomplished the feat in 2012.

The 39-year-old Swede – who scored braces in each of his previous three league outings – had already made a telling contribution in setting up Franck Kessie's empathic opener.

Hosts Udinese levelled through a Rodrigo de Paul penalty just two minutes into the second half, but Milan pressed for a late winner and it duly arrived via Ibrahimovic, whose close-range bicycle kick opened up a four-point cushion at the Serie A summit for at least a couple of hours.

3 - Only three times a #ACMilan’s player has scored in six Serie A matches in a row in the three points for a win era, since 1994/95:

- Andriy Shevchenko (in 2001)
- Zlatan #Ibrahimovic (current streak and also in 2012).

Supremacy.#UdineseMilan #SerieA pic.twitter.com/SPr3eaFqTp