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Jose Mourinho has suggested that Gareth Bale could recover from injury ahead of schedule, with it possible that a second debut for Tottenham will be taken in before the October international break.

When announcing the return of a familiar face to north London, Spurs stated that a Wales international seeking to rediscover his spark would not figure any time soon.

A knee problem is keeping Bale on the sidelines at present and it was claimed that he could sit out Premier League, Carabao Cup and Europa League outings before returning to fitness.

Mourinho, though, believes the desire to make an impact back in English football – on the back of recent struggles at Real Madrid – will see Bale push himself into contention sooner than expected.

The Portuguese told the Evening Standard when offering a fitness update: “I don't know when Gareth can be back.

“The only thing I know is that his motivation is high. He's so happy to be with the club of his heart, he's so happy to play for us.

“And when a player has this motivation, many times you can short [reduce] the period of recovery, you can short the period of getting fit and ready to play.

“We're more than happy to have him and help him back to a level that made him one of the best players in the world.”

Bale’s arrival at Spurs was confirmed on the same day that Sergio Reguilon completed a similar switch from Real Madrid.

The highly-rated left-back has made a permanent move, rather than a season-long loan, but is another that Mourinho is looking forward to letting off the leash.

He added, with Tottenham about to see a Carabao Cup clash with Leyton Orient on Tuesday followed by a Europa League qualifier against Shkendija on Thursday: “I think Sergio will be quick [to play].

“He cannot play on Tuesday but I would say he will be available for us maybe for the end of the week.”

One man who will figure in midweek is Dele Alli, with Mourinho saying of an England international who has slipped out of favour of late and generated transfer talk as a result: “He will play Tuesday, he needs to show how good he is.”

On the back of a busy week in cup competition, Spurs – who crushed Southampton 5-2 in their last outing – will return to Premier League action with a home date against Newcastle.

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana says they are not immune to criticism after the Tshwane giants completed the treble in the 2019/20 season.

Sundowns won the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title, the Telkom Knockout trophy as well as the Nedbank Cup with Kekana playing an instrumental role in the achievements.

The 35-year-old skipper featured in 27 league matches, 11 domestic Cup games as well as six Caf Champions League matches in a season he was also rewarded with a four-year contract extension.

While reflecting on the season, Kekana highly rates his contribution but says he accepts any criticism directed at the team.

“I would give myself eight out of 10 because I am very proud of the many minutes I played…the contributions also make me happy with my overall season. We won three trophies, so I can’t complain,’’ Kekana told Sowetan Live.

“Obviously they [the critics] are sitting on the couches and watching football. It’s easier for them to comment from the couches. I was once a kid in the village and I could comment about players while I am watching from TV.

“You don’t know what’s the feeling on the field of play, so I won’t comment from a point of being a supporter. It’s so unfair of me to try and criticise the fans for criticising us. We are entertainers, we give them the content to talk about and it’s for us really to perform our duties as footballers.’’

One of the major talking points of Sundowns’ season is them not being consistent after football in South Africa restarted following the coronavirus-induced break.

Downs, however, managed to beat rivals Kaizer Chiefs to the league title despite dropping points by losing two games and drawing three after football was restarted.

Winning four matches saw them pipping Chiefs to the title and Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has since signed at least seven players preparing for next season.

Midfielder George Maluleka arrived from Kaizer Chiefs as well as the former Bidvest Wits duo of goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and midfielder Haashim Domingo.

Forward Lesedi Kapinga has been signed from Black Leopards while Grant Margeman joins Downs from Ajax Cape Town.

The former Highlands Park pair of Mothobi Mvala and last season’s PSL joint top goal-scorer Peter Shalulile have also been signed.

Sevilla's sporting director Monchi has confirmed the club have turned down a bid for Jules Kounde amid reports Manchester City have made an approach.

City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Kounde over a summer transfer, with the defender now being tipped to sign a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Kounde's stock has risen considerably since his €25 million ((£23m/$30m) switch to Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019, as he helped Julen Lopetegui's side finish fourth in La Liga and win the Europa League last season.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked with the 21-year-old, who is reported to have a release clause in his current contract which is set at €75m (£69m/$88m).

Kounde played down rumours of a potential move away from Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium last week, telling Marca: "I'm good at Sevilla. Next season we are going to play in the Champions League and we all deserve it. I am very focused and very happy here.

"It is something that I control, but sometimes there are parameters that do not depend on me. I do not look away [from Sevilla]."

Monchi has now confirmed that Sevilla have rejected an official opening bid for the centre-back, and that they are willing to consider any improved offers, but he expects a prized asset to remain focused on his duties ahead of a UEFA Super Cup clash against Bayern Munich on Thursday.

"I doubt that Kounde has an agreement with Man City because he has a contract with us. It's true, in the last days we received an offer from a club to sign Kounde, he heard about it and we rejected it," the Sevilla chief told a press conference.

"If they make another offer, we will listen to them again and we will answer but only we can choose when we will answer them.

"I know Kounde pretty well, and I'm sure he is focused on how he will defend against [Robert] Lewandowski, [Leroy] Sane, [Serge] Gnabry or [Thomas] Muller."

Asked if Sevilla will need to sell some of their more high-profile players in order to balance the books amid the coronavirus crisis, Monchi responded: "Sevilla have a model from the last 20 years (to sell players).

"We got to play in 20 finals and won 10 titles using this model and I recommend that we do not change it.

"We said no to an offer that multiplied by two and a half times the amount that we paid last year for a player who was labelled as being expensive."

The Indian football season is set to kick off from October 8 with the I-League qualifiers after a hiatus of more than six months. The Coronavirus pandemic forced all sporting activities to stop in mid-March and football was no exception. 

With football set to restart the AIFF (All India Football Federation) keeping no stone unturned in order to maintain a bio-bubble for the participating teams and officials.

Hence they have come up with a detailed SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) that the teams must follow during the course of the tournament. 

In fact, even before the teams touch down in Kolkata, the entire squad, staff and officials must get tested for Covid-19 twice. The first test should have been done between 15th to 18th September followed by another one between 22nd to 23rd September. Only those who have tested 'negative' in both the tests reports will be allowed to enter the hotel.

Two players from Bhowanipore FC (Akash Mondal and Sudipta Malakar) have already been tested positive.

The last date to submit both test reports is 24th September. 

Once the teams reach Kolkata, they will enter a 'bio-bubble'. Each team will be provided 15 rooms, starting from matchday minus 13 till the last matchday. In case a team requires extra room, it must be conveyed to the organisers at least a week before they reach the host city, i.e. 25th September. 

Upon arrival, the teams will quarantine themselves for five days and will not be allowed to train. 

Nobody belonging to the contingent will be allowed to go out of the bio-bubble during the entire duration of their stay except for training and matches. Gym sessions will be conducted using the facilities of the hotel. 

The federation will get everyone tested at least four times during the competition. Transport and training grounds are to be sanitised as well after each session. 

AIFF will also pay a travel subsidy of INR 2 Lakhs for the entire tournament to the outstation teams (Garhwal FC, ARA FC and Bengaluru United). 

The inaugural match of the tournament is set to take place between Bhowanipore FC and Bengaluru United at the Salt Lake Stadium. 

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) clubs have taken to social media to welcome the decision by the government to allow the return of football after six months in the cold.

On Sunday, during his address to the nation, President Yoweri Museveni reopened the sporting activities but without spectators, and also asked organisers to test players for Covid-19 72 hours before any match.

“Open-air activities of sports will be open, provided there are no spectators,” said Museveni from State House Entebbe. “We must learn to have games without spectators and players should be tested 72 hours before the games.”

Museveni added: “Players should learn to remain quarantined for the period of the games.”

Like many East African nations and across the world, Uganda moved to ban all its social gatherings and sporting activities immediately after the coronavirus pandemic struck the country in mid-March.

Football was not spared either as the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) was halted for some weeks before it was prematurely ended and the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) moved to award the league title to Vipers SC, who were sitting top at the time the league was suspended.

Vipers and record league winners SC Villa have led Ugandan clubs to celebrate the news on social media.

Below is how several clubs reacted to the news.

Former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe is set to join Derby County on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old is to undergo a medical with the Championship club on Monday after agreeing terms on a two-year contract as he looks to get his career back on track.

Ibe was released by Bournemouth in June and had attracted interest from several clubs, including Swansea, Millwall and Turkish side Besiktas, but he has chosen Derby where he will play alongside former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney.

The hope is that a move to Pride Park, where he performed well during a loan spell in 2014, will help relaunch a career which promised so much as a teenager but has run off course in recent seasons.

Ibe was tipped as one of the hottest prospects in English football having burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old with Wycombe.

He earned a move to Liverpool, with the Reds paying an undisclosed fee, understood to be around £600,000 ($750,000) to sign him in December 2011.

Ibe made his senior debut for the Reds in a 1-0 win over QPR on the final day of the 2012-13 season and impressed during a loan spell at Birmingham the following campaign.  

He did the same at Derby in 2014-15, scoring five goals in 24 appearances before being recalled by manager Brendan Rodgers and promoted to Liverpool’s first team.

Back at Anfield, Ibe featured regularly for the Reds. He made a total of 58 appearances, scoring four times.  The last of those goals came in his final appearance, a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion in May 2016.

He was sold to Bournemouth in a £15 million ($19m) deal that summer, but his move to the south coast failed to take off. 

Ibe featured 64 times across his first two seasons with the Cherries but was unable to hold down a regular starting place thereafter. Last season, he made just two Premier League appearances – both as a substitute – with Bournemouth opting not to renew his contract.

There were off-the-field issues too. Ibe was banned from driving for 16 months after crashing his car into a coffee shop in Bromley, south east London and then fleeing the scene. 

At the court hearing, Ibe’s lawyer Frank Rogers claimed the winger had spent much of his life "cocooned in the artificial world of football", which had left him "not well-educated" and "ignorant of his duties.”

Ibe himself has since spoken of his battle with mental health issues and expressed a desire to get his career back on track.

He will now look to do that in the Championship, where Derby have made a poor start, losing their opening two games. Ibe could make his Rams debut against Blackburn next Saturday.

Swallows FC have officially announced the signing of Ruzaigh Gamildien from Chippa United. 

The club unveiled the well-travelled attacker on their social media platforms on Monday morning without disclosing details of his contract.

Gamildien becomes Swallows' third major signing ahead of the start of the 2020-21 PSL season. 

On Sunday, the Dube Birds acquired the signature of Musa Nyatama on a free transfer before completing the signing of Moeketsi Makhanya from JDR Stars. 

Gamildien is an experienced player having played for no less than nine clubs during his 10-year professional career. 

He made his professional debut with Milano United before Bloemfontein Celtic gave him the chance to showcase his talent in the elite league. 

He also played for AmaZulu and Ajax Cape Town, and his first stint at Chippa United wasn't as successful as he scored just once in 21 games before being offloaded to Steenburg United in the NFD. 

However, after scoring eight goals in 12 games during the first half of the previous season, the Chilli Boys brought him back to Port Elizabeth to try and help them in their fight for survival. 

Gamildien featured 13 times for the Chippa United upon his return to the club for a second stint as they were struggling in the bottom half of the table. 

He scored twice and provided a further two assists in his half-a-season with the Port Elizabeth-based outfit. 

The 31-year-old will be expected to hit the ground running as soon as he starts pre-season with Swallows under the tutelage of Brandon Truter. 

Gamildien will compete with the likes of Makhanya and Kagiso Malinga for a place in Truter's starting line-up next season. 

Makhanya and Malinga scored 12 goals each for their respective teams in the NFD - and finished the campaign as second joint-top goalscorers behind Ajax Cape Town marksman Abednego Mosiatlhaga who scored 18 league goals. 

Swallows' busy transfer dealings are a statement that they intend to stay in the PSL for years to come but for next season, the aim would certainly be to avoid returning to the NFD. 

Football federations, associations and organisations have had to change from doing things the usual way, in ensuring transfer dealings still take place. 

This is due to the coronavirus pandemic which forced the suspension of football across the globe.    

Arrangements were made by the PSL to accommodate the conclusion of the previous season and still allow teams to bolster their squads ahead of the 2020-21 season.  

Some teams decided to part ways with certain players when their contracts expired on June 30, including Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns who released George Maluleka and Oupa Manyisa respectively. 

This is despite the option the PSL gave to clubs to extend players' contracts due to the extension of the 2019-20 campaign. 

Now, when will the PSL transfer window for the new season open and close? Goal brings you everything you need to know. 

When will the PSL transfer window open and close in 2020?  

The PSL executive committee resolved the first transfer window ahead of the start of the new season will open on September 22.

This means PSL and NFD teams can officially register players in less than 24 hours from now.

Several teams have already reinforced their squads, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Swallows and Stellebosch FC among others. 

However, the eligibility for those who have already secured moves to feature in competitive matches for their respective teams depends on their registration with the league.   

Prior to the restart of the 2019-20 season, the PSL announced the transfer window will close on November 17.

However, latest reports suggest that the South African Football Association (Safa) has proposed that the closing of the first transfer window of the 2020-21 season be extended to November 30.  

This is yet to be confirmed by the league but more information is expected to be made public in the next few days. 

When will the PSL transfer window open and close in 2021? 

The mid-season transfer window has also been shifted from January to February due to the delay to start the 2020-21 campaign. 

According to the PSL, teams will only be allowed to sell or buy new players from February 1 to February 28. 

This means pre-contracts can only be signed in February and not in January as this was the norm in the previous seasons. 

It's unclear at this stage if football will return to function normally for the 2021-22 season due to the unpredictability of the coronavirus. 

Kepa Arrizabalaga has become the biggest flop in Chelsea’s history, claims Chris Sutton, with a man who once struggled to justify his own £10 million ($13m) price tag placing a £71m ($92m) goalkeeper above the likes of Fernando Torres and Andriy Shevchenko at the top of an unfortunate chart.

The Blues made Spain international Kepa the most expensive keeper in world football when snapping him up from Athletic Club in the summer of 2018.

He was considered to be one for the present and future in west London, with a pricey addition in west London still only 25 years of age.

Kepa has, however, struggled to justify the faith shown in him and is yet to offer any kind of return on Chelsea’s considerable outlay.

In many ways he is now holding them back, with costly errors creeping into his game as the Blues seek to rid themselves of such struggles and become more consistent.

Kepa is far from being the only big-money buy to have fluffed his lines at Stamford Bridge but, with Frank Lampard seemingly set to bring in Rennes star Edouard Mendy as his replacement, Sutton feels a calamity keeper has become the worst signing in Chelsea’s recent history.

The former Blues striker told the Daily Mail: “You can spend a king's ransom on your attack but if your goalkeeper can't even catch a cold, then what's the point?

“Kepa Arrizabalaga cost Chelsea £71.6 million in 2018 but has never proven worthy of being the world's most expensive goalkeeper. In committing another clanger [in a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool] he further established himself as Chelsea's worst value signing in the Premier League era.

“Maybe their worst since I cost them £10m! I moved to Stamford Bridge for big money in 1999. It didn't work out and a year later I was sold to Celtic for £6m.

“It happens. Sometimes it's best to move on. You could also name Fernando Torres at £50m (though a few Chelsea fans might say that historic semi-final goal against Barcelona was worth the fee alone). Andriy Shevchenko at £30m, too. But Kepa surely beats all of us. Sadio Mane's goals on Sunday meant he had conceded 11 of the last 16 shots he's faced.

“In football, you always get a chance to redeem yourself. I got that at Celtic, and Kepa might have to go prove himself elsewhere, too. Edouard Mendy cannot arrive from Rennes soon enough for Frank Lampard, who is under big pressure to win a trophy this season. 

“Chelsea aren't the type of club who say: 'No problem - have another go next season!' Lampard knows as well as anyone that silverware is a must.”

Chelsea, who could have a new number one on their books by the time they next take to the field, will take in a Carabao Cup clash with Barnsley on Wednesday before returning to Premier League action away at West Brom on Saturday.

Midfielder Duncan Otieno is set to return to AFC Leopards ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The Kenya midfielder has been turning out for Zambian champions Nkana FC for the last two seasons, but his contract with the club expired. Having no option of extending it, the 26-year-old has opted to return home and consider leaving if he gets a better deal.

The 13-time Kenyan Premier League champions have jumped on the chance to bring their former skipper back at the den.

"We have agreed with Otieno and he has no problem with rejoining us," a Leopards official who did not wish to be named told Goal on Monday.

"He will come on an initial one-year deal but with an option of extending it. We are happy with the fact that he accepted to come and play for us. It will be a boost for the team as we target the league title next season."

The official went on to explain why many signings, as opposed to previous seasons, should not be expected at the club.

"Not many players have left this time around as we used to witness previously, it is the reason why we are not bringing on board many players as well.

"It is all about consistency; Otieno knows our culture and tradition well. It will not be a problem for him to settle."

The Kenya midfielder has always been open on an Ingwe return at any given time.

The former Ingwe skipper left the den in October 2018 for Zambian side Nkana FC where he is still contracted.

"Leopards will always remain my home and I cannot refuse to play for them," Otieno told Goal in an earlier interview.

"If the club management can come up with a good offer for me, I will consider it; remember I have a soft spot for the club which cannot be taken by anyone. However, no one has contacted me about it."

Leopards last won the league in 1998 and in the abandoned 2019/20 season, they finished in sixth position.

In the forthcoming campaign, Ingwe are aiming at going all the way to winning the title.

Virgil van Dijk has hailed Fabinho for keeping Timo Werner at bay during Liverpool's win at Chelsea on Sunday.

Liverpool silenced their doubters after an unconvincing win over newly-promoted Leeds United on the opening weekend of the 2020-21 campaign by securing a comfortable victory over the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

A second-half double from Sadio Mane saw Jurgen Klopp's side run out 2-0 winners against Chelsea, with Frank Lampard's side reduced to 10 men when Andreas Christensen was sent off for a professional foul just before half-time.

Fabinho was asked to take up a centre-back role alongside Van Dijk in the absence of both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, and the Brazilian midfielder produced a stellar display to minimise the threat of Werner and Co.

Werner, who is still on the lookout for his first goal for Chelsea since completing a £47.5 million ($61m) switch from RB Leipzig in June, did his best to try and force the issue in the final third, but was ultimately unable to find a way through the Reds' stubborn rearguard.

Van Dijk talked up Fabinho's defensive contribution post-match, but also warned that Liverpool will need a fully-fit squad to boost their chances of a successful title defence this season.

Asked to assess his team-mate's latest performance, the Netherlands international told Liverpool's official website: "Outstanding.

“I just told him as well I think he was man of the match. To keep out a striker like [Timo] Werner and don’t let him score, overall he was outstanding.

“Everyone knows how good he is but it shows also that we need everyone. We are a bit unlucky with the injuries now but we’ll need everyone back because it’s such a long season.”

Chelsea had the chance to set up a tense end to proceedings at Stamford Bridge when new Liverpool signing Thiago Alcantara gave away a penalty midway through the second period, but Alisson kept out Jorginho's spot-kick.

The Blues were otherwise unable to carve out any clear-cut chances against the reigning Premier League champions, and Van Dijk was pleased with the way the Reds were able to control the game.

“It was always going to be tough, no matter the circumstances, no matter how they play or who was playing,” he added.

“It was a good performance overall. It’s not nice to give a penalty away and it was bit unlucky from Thiago, I think. But overall we dominated.

“Obviously the red card helps a little bit, we can’t deny that, but even before that we created moments of danger and we were very concentrated and very ready to get the good result.”

Uganda international Bevis Mugabi opened his goal account as Motherwell defeated Aberdeen 3-0 in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Mark O'Hara, Christopher Long and Mugabi gave Motherwell a healthy win away from home against a stronger opponent in Aberdeen who have been in good form given their previous performances.

“Today [Sunday] was a brilliant result for us,” Mugabi said as per Football256.

“It was a nice game to get my first goal for the club and start climbing higher on the table.”

Mugabi honed his skills at Fulham and Southampton academies between 2011 to 2016. He then joined Yeovil Town in 2016 and remained there until 2019 when he signed for the Scottish side.

He has played 17 games and has scored just once.

On his part, Mugabi’s manager Stephen Robinson said the win has helped them turn a corner especially after previous criticisms that were directed to them for poor results.

Motherwell moved up to eighth position after their second straight league victory. 

“We took criticism when we weren't winning games and we were still playing well,” Robinson told BBC Sport.

“We always believed in what we were doing here. We've shown our quality. I believe we have turned a corner.

“I've got a group of boys who give me absolutely everything. When you have some games that don't go your way - people question that. It's never been a question for me.

“The difference between some of the other games this season was that we were clinical. We've played some really good stuff but we took our chances when they came.

“We've won four out of five now but we'll just keep quietly going about our business.”

On his part, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes conceded their opponents were far better than them.

“Motherwell were by far the better side,” said McInnes.

“I thought they looked the hungrier team. I thought they looked like a team ready to win points and we looked like a team just out to play a game of football. We were well beaten.”

Mugabi and his teammates will now focus on their next match against Hapoel Beer Sheva of Israel in the third round of the Europa League qualification. Aberdeen will be up against Sporting CP of Portugal.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs is delighted to see Gareth Bale back in the Premier League, with the Manchester United legend expecting a star turn from his national set-up to strike up a “mouth-watering” partnership with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son at Tottenham.

Spurs have pulled off a stunning deal by luring a familiar face back to north London from Real Madrid.

Bale has been re-signed on a season-long loan and will be looking to put his recent struggles in Spain behind him once cleared to open a new chapter in his distinguished career.

The 31-year-old must be patient for now, with a knee injury ruling him out until October, but Giggs is looking forward to seeing a proven performer grace the English top-flight again.

He told Premier League Productions of the options available to Jose Mourinho, with Kane and Son involved in all five of Spurs’ goals in a 5-2 mauling of Southampton on Sunday: “It looks mouth-watering - Kane, Son and Bale.

“They have so many good players at Tottenham. I am really looking forward to seeing how he does.

“It’s good to have him back in the Premier League. We want to see the best players in the world in the Premier League and it will be interesting to see how he does.”

Bale is confident he will add a “winning mentality” to Tottenham’s ranks, with a success-starved club determined to deliver major silverware in 2020-21.

Giggs believes shrewd additions are being made in that quest.

He expects Bale to become a leading man for a club he knows well, while Wales are set to benefit from having a talismanic part of their plans taking in regular domestic football once again.

United great Giggs added when asked if he is relieved to see his captain back in favour heading towards a rearranged European Championship in 2021: “Yes, but not as many trips to Madrid anymore. It will be great. He has Ben Davies there as a team-mate as well.

“It’s a huge boost when you see someone like that walk through the door.

“They got off to a disappointing start to the season, but to see him fit and firing, he will score goals, he’ll make assists, he’ll be a massive lift.

“I’m sure the Tottenham fans cannot wait to see him.”

Odion Ighalo is determined to keep living the dream at Manchester United, with the Nigerian striker vowing to give his all whenever called upon by the Red Devils.

The 31-year-old frontman has found regular game time hard to come by of late.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been favouring other options in his attacking unit, leaving Ighalo to play a supporting role.

He is, however, delighted to be part of the fold at Old Trafford – having grown up supporting United.

Ighalo’s efforts on the back of an initial loan move from Shanghai Shenhua in January earned him an extended stay on the Red Devils’ books, with a deal done through to early 2021.

There will be many more opportunities for him to see minutes, and to open his Premier League goal account for United.

With that in mind, Ighalo will be giving his all to the collective cause as he vows not to let struggles for recognition cast a cloud over his time in Manchester.

He told BBC Sport: “That energy, that positivity, that happiness, never change. You can see that smile on my face every time I go in there.

“It's not every man's dream that comes to pass, well mine did. My kids will grow up and see that I played for a team that I supported from when I was young, I cried when they lose and all of that.

“I want to keep doing what I need to do until the last day that I play for the club.”

Ighalo has netted five goals for United, through 20 appearances in all competitions, and will never forget the feeling of finding the target for the first time.

That effort came in a Europa League clash with Club Brugge, with Juan Mata teeing him up to tap home from close range.

Ighalo added on his experiences to date: “My favourite moment is when I scored my first goal for Manchester United.

“I was the first Nigerian to play for Manchester United, the first Nigerian to score for Manchester United.

“I could not sleep in the night, waking up, checking my phone messages from all over the world from friends and family and all that. It means a lot to me.”

Ighalo saw nine minutes off the bench in United’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, as Solskjaer’s side stumbled out of the blocks in 2020-21, but may be given an opportunity to impress from the start when the Red Devils face Luton in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday.

Thibaut Courtois is confident Real Madrid are not short of goals despite struggling to a scoreless draw at Real Sociedad on Sunday.

La Liga's reigning champions began the new campaign with a frustrating stalemate in which Courtois had to make a brilliant one-on-one stop from Alexander Isak to preserve a point.

That was the clearest opening of the match, although Karim Benzema miscued when he looked set to strike moments before Isak ran through at the other end.

Benzema was supported by Martin Odegaard in an advanced midfield role, but Madrid – still missing Eden Hazard and having moved on Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez – could not forge a breakthrough despite mustering 16 shots in total.

Courtois told Movistar : "Of course we've got goals. You see it in training, you see it in the last pre-season friendly we had against Getafe [a 6-0 win].

"But sometimes the ball just doesn't want to go in. I don't have any doubt there are plenty of goals in this team."

The goalkeeper was encouraged by his team-mates' work to subdue Sociedad, who had just 32 per cent of the possession and were restricted to six attempts.

"If we don't concede too many goals and we can order ourselves and be difficult to score against, we have at the other end of the pitch Karim Benzema, who always plays at a very high level and didn't have any luck tonight," Courtois said.

"It's always important for us to keep a clean sheet. That's the way it went after lockdown. It ended up that many of our games were without conceding."

Despite his failure to inspire victory, it was a big night for Odegaard, making his full league debut for Madrid against the side he played for on loan last season.

The 21-year-old had one blocked shot and contributed two key passes.

"It was a very special game for me. I was playing against friends, good people. Very special," Odegaard said. "I felt good, but obviously the victory was missing."

Stand-in Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal said of his former team-mate: "Martin knows he's much loved here, but today we didn't want things to go too well for him.

"I'm sure he'll soon show his quality for Real Madrid."

Yves Bissouma has expressed his disappointment after he was sent off in Brighton and Hove Albion’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle United in Sunday’s Premier League game.

The 24-year-old was handed his second Premier League start in the 2020-21 season at St James' Park but did not live up to expectations, as he was shown a red card for the second time in his career.

Neal Maupay’s brace and a strike from Aaron Connolly ensured the Seagulls clinched all three points away from home.

Bissouma was given his marching orders in the 89th minute of the encounter by referee Kevin Friend, having been cautioned earlier.  

The Mali international attempted to flick the ball behind his head but missed, catching the face of Jamal Lewis with his boot.

Bissouma is displeased with his sending off but delighted the Seagulls managed to secure their first win of the season after losing their opening game against Chelsea.

“Very good teamwork, a little disappointed to go out on a red card but the main thing was the three points,” Bissouma posted on Instagram.

The Mali international has been with the Falmer Stadium outfit since the summer of 2018 when he teamed up with the side from French club Lille.

Bissouma has made more than 50 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls and last season he featured 22 times in the division to help his side avoid relegation.

The midfielder will be expected to miss Brighton next league outing against Manchester United on September 26.

The former AS Real Bamako midfielder has 16 caps for Mali national team since he made his debut in 2015.

He will be expected to play a significant role for the Eagles in their World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo has admitted Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested this season as the Portuguese superstar helped his team to an opening-night win in Serie A.

The Italian champions started their quest for a 10th consecutive title with a 3-0 victory against Sampdoria at Allianz Stadium in Pirlo's first competitive match in charge of the club.

New signing Dejan Kulusevski scored on his debut in the 13th minute before veterans Leonardo Bonucci and Ronaldo rounded out the victory in the second half.

When Pirlo was asked how he plans to use Ronaldo – who famously does not like to be on the bench – this season, Pirlo revealed the 35-year-old would be rested at select points during the campaign.

"We are thinking about [how to use Ronaldo] and talked it over," Pirlo said to Sky Sport Italia post-match.

"He’s not tired yet, as we just started, but when we come up to less important games, we’ll try to give him a rest.

"He’s a very intelligent guy who knows his body very well, so he is aware of when it’s time to rest or to step it up. When he will play depends on him."

Pirlo made some surprise selections in his first match as manager, with 20-year-old Kulusevski making his starting debut alongside Ronaldo in attack, while loan signing Weston McKennie was parachuted into midfield and Gianluca Frabotta made only his second Serie A appearance.

The Juve legend explained the reasons for his first XI choices, revealing that the team's limited preparation for the new season meant some players were better prepared to play than others.

"Frabotta had a good game - Alex Sandro picked up an injury, so I chose the Under-23 lad who is training with us very well," Pirlo said. "I didn’t consider it a risk at all to use him.

"The American (McKennie) arrived having started pre-season training in Germany, so was in better shape than some others. He made a few errors in his passing, but it was the first game, we can forgive him for that.

"It will take time to get all the various ways of playing together. I don’t want to just copy and paste anyone’s ideas, I have my own ideas, and want to adapt from the teams that inspired me.

"We haven’t had much time, as the pre-season started late and then they were away for international duty. We had only one friendly too, but it was a good debut and we’ll keep working on it."

Juventus' next fixture will come in Serie A against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on September 27.

Jurgen Klopp reiterated his dislike for any unsportsmanlike behaviour after remonstrating with a member of the Liverpool staff for applauding a red card handed to Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen on Sunday. 

After VAR intervention, an initial yellow card for Christensen was upgraded to red for a poor challenge on Sadio Mane and Klopp was left fuming when someone on the Reds bench began applauding the decision. 

"Are you crazy? We never ever do that, ok?," Klopp could reportedly be heard shouting from the sidelines. 

The send off would prove decisive as Liverpool went on to claim a 2-0 win courtesy of a double from Mane.

Klopp clarified his stance on the red-card applause post-match and admitted the sending off did change the game. 

"It was not one of my subs but another member of staff and I told him already what I thought and he is good with that," Klopp said. "I am fine with that but in the moment it wasn't what I wanted to see.

"I saw the sending off only in the situation. I saw Christensen's arms around Sadio so I thought in the moment it is a sending off but I couldn't see it back since then so if you have seen it differently, then I respect that.

"Would we have won it [if Chelsea had XI]? Who knows that! I thought we were good in the first half so I thought we could win it but if we would, I don't know.

"We know that it was a different game in the second half but I liked our first half already. I liked the way we tried to find solutions with the way we played. I liked the way we took on a difficult game.

"That was already very good and I was ready for a very positive half-time talk with a few pictures on what we could have done differently, where we have to move quicker, pass quicker, easier and stuff like this. Then, the red card, yes and it changed the game."

The reigning Premier League champions have now won their first two games of the league season with Klopp content from what he's seen and eager to send a message to their future opponents. 

"I liked the performance, I liked it a lot and we are playing for two things - three points and to show people you need to be ready for us when we arrive," Klopp added.

"The next game is going to be difficult for their own reasons because Arsenal has been flying for a few months already and it is really tough but for ourselves, for the way we feel, play with patience and to improve to make us successful.

"Chelsea away will be for the next 500 years one of the most difficult games you ever play, it will become even more difficult now with Chelsea and all the things that are settled. For today, it was difficult but we did it and I am happy for that."

Nigerian descent Marvin Olawale Akinlabi Park made his debut appearance for Real Madrid first-team in their goalless draw against Real Sociedad in their La Liga opening fixture on Sunday.

He replaced Rodrygo in the 70th minute of the encounter but could not inspire the defending champions to victory at the Reale Arena.

The 20-year-old was the second player who made his Real Madrid debut in La Liga on Sunday after Sergio Arribas came on for Vinicius Junior.

Marvin moved to the Spanish capital in 2016 and rose through the youth ranks at the Real Madrid after previous playing stints at Tranmere Rovers, Ciutat de Palma and Penya Arrabal.

He helped the Spanish giants lift the Uefa Youth League title last season with his contribution of a goal in seven matches, and he also scored three goals in 26 league appearances for Real Madrid Castilla.

Internationally, the youngster is eligible to play for three countries after he was born to a Nigerian father and a South Korean mother in Spain.

In January 2019, Marvin earned his maiden invitation to Spain U19 team and featured as a 62nd-minute substitute in their 3-0 defeat to Italy U19 in an international friendly.

After Sunday's outing, he will be eager to earn more first-team action with the Santiago Bernabeu outfit in the 2020-21 season.

Real Madrid will be hoping to secure their first win of the season when they visit Real Betis for their next La Liga game on Saturday.