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Marcus Rashford, Brandon Williams and Scott McTominay have become role models at Manchester United for the club’s next group of academy hopefuls, says Nicky Butt.

The Red Devils are famed for their production of home-grown talent.

Butt, who is now head of first-team development at Old Trafford, once formed part of the fabled Class of ‘92 that included Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and David Beckham.

He is helping to bring through more players of promise in the present, with a steady stream of youngsters having worked their way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans.

Rashford and McTominay have been seeing competitive minutes for some time, but the likes of Williams and Mason Greenwood are proving that a senior door remains open.

Butt expects that to remain the case, telling United’s official website: “Everyone has got their ambitions and they all can look at what to strive to.

“They can look at the lads who have done so well playing in the first team, playing lots of games now. Marcus has had so many games at a young age, Brandon is stepping into the fore now, Scott McTominay. I don't need to name them as you know them all.

“The lads have got an abundance of players to aspire to be like and we're proud of them all.

“Hopefully, the next one will come along in the next few years and, if that happens, we're all doing our jobs well and it will help the manager, and the club, get to where it wants to be.”

While catching Solskjaer’s eye remains the target for those coming through United’s youth system, Butt admits that more loan deals will be sanctioned this summer in an effort to get important game time into those who find themselves on the fringes of the fold.

The former Red Devils midfielder added: “We've got some good young players.

“And we've had them over the years and they've all had a time where they've been beaten and all had a time when they get to win. The end game is getting into the first team or having careers in the game.

“It is what we do well and, this year, there is no difference. The older ones will go out on loan in the next month or so and the younger ones will step up. It's the history of the club and what it has always been.”

Selangor fans who are interested in obtaining a stake in the team after its privatisation process is completed are welcome to do so, said its secretary-general Johan Kamal Hamidon.

"So far we haven't received any interest from the fans to hold shares in the soon-to-be formed club, but we are very open to it. The president, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin wants football to be the people's sport. The privatisation process, it's now just the formalities, should be completed by next month, but they can come in at any time, not just before the process is completed.

"They can come in whenever they are ready as the Red Giants, the company, is just like any other company; we will make changes to the shareholders' composition anytime a potential new shareholder wants in, and this includes the fans. Who knows; maybe when they are ready, the fans will be able to take over the whole set-up in the far future?" explained Johan in response to a question by a journalist following a sponsorship agreement signing ceremony with Les' Copaque.

READ: Selangor announce new signing - Upin & Ipin's Les' Copaque

The Red Giants, alongside other Malaysia Super League and Premier League teams, are currently undergoing separation/privatisation process made compulsory by the Malaysian FA and the Asian Football Confederation ahead of the 2021 season. 

The 22-time Malaysia Cup champions' privatised set-up is expected to be in the form of a special purpose vehicle, joint venture between Tengku Amir and Selangor state-owned corporations. 

READ: Rumour of Tengku Amir Shah's departure from Selangor amidst privatisation push refuted

Uganda striker Fahad Bayo has claimed his success at FC Ashdod of Israel will largely depend on the coach.

Bayo signed a four-year deal with Ashdod from Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC and is fighting hard to win the coach’s confidence.

“I am seeing my competitors every day and I am adjusting my personal training accordingly to suit me for a starting spot,” Bayo said as he was quoted by Football256.

“I am ready to fight for playing time but one should remember that the coach always has the final say and it should always be respected.

“Everyone has different attributes and when the coach gets impressed with mine, then I will be on the pitch and I will prove the reason as to why I was brought to this club in the first place.

“On my arrival, I was put in isolation and I could not train with the team. I had to abide by the rules as I was given a special training program executed by the club’s coaches.”

Bayo scored 12 goals for Vipers in the shortened season and emerged as the second-top scorer in the Golden Boot race.

Meanwhile, Bayo’s national coach Johnathan McKinstry has praised his move saying it is one big step towards achieving his European dream.

“I know Bayo has moved to Israel and that is a very positive step for him,” McKinstry told Fufa TV.

“We talked and he told me he had some interests in South Africa, North Africa and even in Tanzania. But we discussed and agreed if he wanted to have an opportunity to move to Europe and start his pathway there the Israel move was important.

“Even if the North African clubs were offering him more money than the Israeli team, Ashdod move was not the one he could turn down as he takes the step into the European context.”

Finally, new Express FC striker Mustafa Kiragga is aware of the herculean task lying ahead for him.

The 19-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Red Eagles and he hopes to earn more than 10 goals in his maiden season at the club.

“As strikers we know we’re judged by the number of goals scored and having joined a big team like Express,” Kiragga said as per Football256.

“It’s written on the wall that I must score goals and in this case, I hope to hit double figures across all competitions.”

The teenager will jostle for a first-team position with Frank Kalanda who scored 11 goals before Fufa cancelled the season.

Kakamega Homeboyz coach Nicholas Muyoti says it is 'sad and discouraging' to lose a player like Peter Thiong'o who is heading to AFC Leopards.

The winger was a vital player for the Western-based side and managed to score eight goals as they finished second in the abandoned 2019/20 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season. However, his contract with the team will expire in October and the player has a two-year pre-contract agreement with Leopards.

"As a coach, you need all your best players when planning for the new season," Muyoti told Goal on Tuesday.

"It is sad and discouraging to lose Thiong'o who has been a very important player for the team. He played a great role for us last season, and his presence in the new campaign would have been vital for us.

"It is disappointing to lose him, but again we have nothing to do but accept and see how to fill his void."

The tactician has also conceded Homeboyz made a mistake by not initiating talks to extend his stay early.

"We slept on our job; with six or so months remaining on his contract, we could have started re-negotiating a new deal," Muyoti continued.

"It would have given us time to plan life with him or without him. We did not do our homework early and we have paid the price. It is a lesson and next time around, we will have to ensure it does not happen.

"We will now have to go into the market and get his replacement and hope he is effective to the team."

The former Kenya international has wished his former player all the best hoping he will be successful in his new team.

"Thiong'o has been with us for two seasons, he is a great player and I wish him the best.

"Sometimes, you cannot judge a player for the decisions he makes since there are many factors involved. He has served us well during his time with us and has been a dedicated member of the team.

"It is painful seeing him leave, but I hope he will continue developing and hit greater heights."

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has urged fans to be ‘patient’ with Victor Osimhen as he gradually settles with the Serie A side.

The Super Eagles striker joined the Parthenopeans from Lille in a club-record fee of €70 million which could rise to €80 million to become Nigeria's most expensive player in history.

The forward has already hit the ground running, scoring in his first pre-season game for the Stadio San Paolo outfit on Monday.

De Laurentiis, who was one of the spectators during the game, reminded the club supporters that the striker has been inactive since Ligue 1 was abruptly concluded due to the outbreak of coronavirus in March as such should be tolerant with the 21-year-old.  

“The fans ought to be patient with him because Osimhen hasn’t played in seven months and still needs to get to know Italian football,” De Laurentiis told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“I urge the fans to give him time and space, so he can help the team. Rino Gattuso won’t give anyone an easy time.

“I see every now and then the media say I paid €47m! Evidently I ought to start publishing the contracts. In Germany, where they are very reliable, they always talk about gross wages and not net.”

Osimhen was snapped up by the Parthenopeans following his eye-catching performances for Lille, where he spent a single season.

The forward bagged 18 goals and provided six assists across all competitions and scooped the club’s Player of the Season award for his efforts.

The Super Eagles star joined Lille from Sporting Charleroi in the summer of 2019 as a direct replacement for Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe, who teamed up with Premier League club Arsenal.

The Ultimate Strikers Academy graduate started his European career with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg after impressing for Nigeria at the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile. 

The forward scooped the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards as he helped the Golden Eaglets win the title for a record fifth time and was named 2015 African Youth Player of the Year.

Osimhen is currently a key member of the national team after making his debut against Togo in a friendly in June 2017.

He has scored four goals in nine appearances for the Super Eagles and was part of the side that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Neymar is “a superstar” and future winner of the FIFA Best award, according to Taffarel, with the former Brazil international expecting a fellow countryman to be recognised as the world’s best at some stage.

A talented forward who is currently on the books of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain has occupied a standing alongside the global elite for several years now.

The unworldly exploits of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have kept him off top spot when it comes to prestigious individual prizes, but Neymar is always among the leading contenders.

That was expected to be the case again in 2020, although events have conspired against the South American.

France Football have decided against handing out the Ballon d’Or, while PSG suffered Champions League final heartache when slipping to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Taffarel was pained to see Neymar left in tears at the end of that contest, but the 1994 World Cup winner believes the 28-year-old will come back into contention for the grandest of prizes.

The legendary former goalkeeper told FIFA’s official website of Neymar: “A great player. He plays the game in a beautiful way. He’s an incredible dribbler, sets up goals, scores fantastic goals.

“He’s very important for us. We really hope he can be at his best and help Brazil win another World Cup. He’s a superstar.”

Taffarel added on Neymar’s Champions League disappointment in the present and cause for optimism in the future: “I think the two best teams got to the final.

“Paris came very well prepared, but I think Bayern had something extra in terms of their play and their set-up.

“I cheered a lot for Paris because of the Brazilians who play there. I really wanted Neymar to win this Champions League and, consequently, The Best FIFA [Men’s Player] award.

“But it’s just one day. I really hope in the future he can win this award and be considered the best player in the world.

“But I thought it was a good football game, well thought out and well played. It wasn’t easy for anyone, but Bayern capitalised upon their chance. I think Bayern were deserved winners.”

Paris Saint-Germain have been granted an extended break before starting their 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign after their trip to Lens was postponed.

The reigning champions had been due to begin their title defence at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday, six days after their 1-0 Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Thomas Tuchel's men played three Champions League games in 12 days in Portugal - where the competition was concluded having been halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic - and PSG wanted to give their players more time to recover before beginning the new season.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) confirmed that PSG's request has been approved by both Lens and local broadcaster Canal +, with the fixture rearranged to Thursday, September 10.

In addition, this weekend's clash between Strasbourg and Nice has been brought forward a day, to the Saturday evening timeslot originally occupied by Lens' home game against PSG.

The Lens fixture, which now comes after the international break, will still be PSG's first match of the new season, and they are due to host rivals Marseille three days later.

Marseille had been set to begin their campaign last Friday but their trip to Saint-Etienne was postponed after OM confirmed they had four positive COVID-19 cases in their squad.

On Tuesday, Marseille revealed "three new suspected cases of COVID-19 were detected" and said the LFP had been informed.

Given the LFP's directive that more than three positive cases would likely lead to a postponement, Marseille's trip to Brest this weekend would also appear to now be in doubt.

Andre Villas-Boas' side were named Ligue 1 runners-up when the 2019-20 campaign was abandoned in April, with PSG picking up their third successive crown having been 11 points clear at the summit with a game in hand when play was stopped.

The Parisians also won the Trophee des Champions, Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France last season to complete a domestic quadruple, while their clash with Bayern last weekend marked the club's first-ever appearance in a European Cup final. 

Ronald Koeman is the perfect manager for Barcelona as, along with his strong ties to the club from his playing days, he “likes to play beautifully but also wants to win”, says Roy Makaay.

The Blaugrana have turned to a familiar face for inspiration after enduring a humbling end to their 2019-20 campaign.

Quique Setien was unable to deliver a third successive La Liga title at Camp Nou, while an 8-2 defeat to eventual winners Bayern Munich saw the Catalan giants crash out of the Champions League in spectacular fashion.

Koeman has been drafted in to right those wrongs, with the legendary Dutchman well aware of the expectation that exists at one of world football’s biggest clubs.

He helped to deliver success as part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ in the 1990s and is now looking to replicate those achievements as a coach.

Makaay believes his fellow countryman can deliver on the most demanding of remits, with Koeman’s philosophies matching those of the institution that he is now part of.

“Koeman's dream has always been to coach Barcelona,” Makaay, who represented the Netherlands while Koeman was their assistant coach and later worked alongside the 57-year-old at Feyenoord, told Radio Marca.

“It doesn't surprise me that a club like this has thought about him because he is a great coach.

“We will see what style of play he imparts. He is a coach who likes to play beautifully, but who also wants to win.”

Koeman has the desire and tactical nous to succeed at Camp Nou, but he needs an underperforming team to raise its game.

He has already set about trying to put his own stamp on things, with certain players reportedly informed that they no longer figure in Barca’s long-term plans.

Further additions to the ranks are also expected to be made in the current transfer window, while working hard to retain the services of talismanic captain Lionel Messi, and Makaay admits that a serious refresh is required to an ageing squad.

He added: “I think that Barcelona need younger players.”

The Blaugrana are trying to make that happen, as they are linked with the likes of Inter striker Lautaro Martinez and Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, but funds are in short supply and restoring former glories will not be easy for Koeman.

Indian Super League (ISL) club NorthEast United have signed 35-year-old Spaniard Gerard Nus as their head coach for the 2020-21 season.

Nus, who is a UEFA Pro License holder, will be the successor to Croatian Robert Jarni who left the club in February following a poor run of results. Khalid Jamil, the assistant coach and head of the academy, acted as the caretaker manager until the end of the season and will now return to his previous role. 

NorthEast's head coach used to be a member of Liverpool's backroom staff before he got into mainstream coaching. He had stints at Brighton and Melbourne Heart before becoming the assistant coach of the Ghana national team led by Avram Grant. 

He has since gone on to work as the technical director at Rayo Vallecano and was the manager of Swedish club Eskilstuna during the 2018-19 season. Nus will look to guide the Highlanders into the play-offs again after poor results last season in which they finished ninth on the table. 

The Highlanders have made interesting moves in the transfer market for Indian players including Ponif Vaz, Gurjinder Kumar, Lalkhawpuimawia, Rochharzela, PM Britto, Sanjiban Ghosh, VP Suhair and Mashoor Shereef.

Liverpool star Alisson is “a big-moment goalkeeper” and the world’s best in his chosen position, says former Brazil international Taffarel.

The battle to be considered the finest shot-stopper on the planet is a well-contested one at present.

Any number of performers can lay claim to that title, with the likes of Ederson, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Oblak and Manuel Neuer all in contention.

Alisson is, however, the current holder of the prestigious Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award, having landed that prize in 2019.

He is also a Champions League and Premier League title winner with Liverpool, while his debut campaign at Anfield in 2018-19 also delivered a well-earned Golden Glove.

Taffarel believes his fellow countryman is the obvious pick as the world’s top keeper, with the commanding 27-year-old having few faults in his game.

“It’s Alisson,” 1994 World Cup winner Taffarel told FIFA’s official website when asked to make his selection.

“FIFA themselves gave him the award. And it was fully deserved.

“He has immaculate technique, he’s a big-moment goalkeeper, he’s been playing really well and helping his team get results. It’s his time.

“After Alisson, I think there are a lot of great goalkeepers – Ederson, Ter Stegen, Courtois, who I rate very highly, Oblak.”

Taffarel is far from being the first to put Alisson at the top of a goalkeeping pile, with Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar another of those to have suggested that the record books could be re-written by the affable South American.

He has told The Mirror: “If he wants to stay at Anfield for a long time he will break all the records for sure and I would love him to do that.

“Alisson is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he deserves to be put on that pedestal.

“Him and Manuel Neuer are probably the best two when it comes to angles — those two are the very best in the world at getting their angles right, they don’t have to dive because they aren’t out of position.

“They are in the right place at the right time and they move their feet very, very well.”

Jiangsu Suning striker Tabitha Chawinga has confirmed that she has received concrete offers from some of the top women's clubs in Europe.

Chawinga has consistently scored goals since her first move abroad from Malawian side DD Sunshine in 2014, starting with 39 goals in 17 games at Swedish side Krokom/Dvarsatts IF.

On joining Kvarnsvedens in 2015, she scored 85 goals in 71 outings, including winning top scorer twice in Sweden before her 2018 move to Jiangsu, where she scored 69 goals in two seasons.

Chawinga reached an agreement over an extension with the Chinese Women's Super League champions after her impressive two-seasons, with her contract extension due to expire in mid-2021.

Paris Saint Germain are among the top sides rumoured to be interested following a knee injury to star Ada Hegerberg in January. 

However, the 24-year-old says she is focused on helping her Chinese club to success this season after the coronavirus hiatus but will be ready to listen to offers at the end of the season.

“We have just started the new season; my mind is now to concentrate on the new season at my team here, Chawinga told Malawian radio, MIJ FM. 

"Right now, I have told my agents that I should not be disturbed on such matters because I have a running contract with Jiangsu and I believe in doing one thing at a time. 

"So, this season is all about my team here until next year. I have had a good time here. I am doing my best to put my country on the map. 

"I am still determined to continue doing my country proud for more years like ten or eleven ahead. 

"Malawians should always remember me in their prayers so that when I am fighting the physical battle, he should take care of the spiritual side."

True to form, Chawinga scored the winner in Jiangsu Suning's 3-2 win over Hebei China Fortune in a Chinese Women's Super League opener in Kunming on Sunday.

She will hope to continue her goal-scoring form when they face Henan Jianye in their next league fixture on Wednesday.

Anthony Martial has “come alive” as a central striker for Manchester United and could end up being a “world class” solution to the Red Devils’ problems in a number nine berth, says Gary Pallister.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed considerable faith in the France international when handing him a notable squad number in the wake of Romelu Lukaku’s departure.

Martial has never shied away from the fact that, despite operating in a wide role for much of his senior career to date, he has always seen himself as being at his best down the middle.

A 23-goal return in 2019-20 has helped to support those claims, although suggestions that United still require a more proven performer to lead the line refuse to go away.

Pallister admits to having bought into that way of thinking at one stage, but the former Red Devils defender now believes that Martial could prove to be a “sensational” asset at Old Trafford.

He told Compare.bet of the 24-year-old frontman: “Yeah, he’s wanted to play there ever since he came to the club.

“To be quite honest with you, up until this season, he hasn’t looked like a striker, he’s been more of a threat coming from the wing. He’s not looked happy on occasion.

“Again, I’d put it down to being allowed freedom. We’re a team that looks forward now, a team that’s not scared anymore. He [Martial] looks a different player now.

“Maybe before, I would have said we were desperate for an out and out centre-forward – we brought [Odion] Ighalo in to do a short-term job and he did really well before the lockdown.

“If he [Martial] was still playing the way he did in previous seasons when he did play up front, I would have said we still need a centre-forward, but he’s come alive.

“He’s been sensational since the season has resumed. He’s scoring goals, he’s on the shoulder of defenders, making great runs, he’s got good ability on the ball to beat a man in the penalty box.

“If he continues that, all of a sudden we’re saying we’ve got a world-class centre-forward and that’s got to be a fantastic feeling for Ole.

“Whether it’s just the arrival of Bruno [Fernandes] that’s given him that belief that he can make that kind of run and be found in the box? Possibly. His body language is a lot better now.

“We’re seeing the end product of Ole working with the strikers – Marcus [Rashford], [Mason] Greenwood, Martial.

“Ole was a fantastic striker and these lads must be eating up any knowledge he can impart. I think Martial has been our most consistent performer since lockdown ended.”

Martial’s efforts in 2019-20 helped to fire United to a third-place finish in the Premier League and the semi-finals of Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League competition, but everyone at Old Trafford is determined to deliver more tangible success heading forward.

Alphonso Davies’ rise to becoming a Champions League winner at Bayern Munich once saw him take in training sessions with first team and U14 squads while at the Vancouver Whitecaps, Robert Earnshaw has revealed.

The jet-heeled left-back saw his potential spotted early while in Canada, with his ability being fast-tracked through an MLS youth system.

A senior bow was made for the Whitecaps at just 15 years of age, making him the competition’s second-youngest debutant after former teen sensation Freddy Adu.

It did not take long for European football’s leading lights to take note, with Bayern moving to put a record-setting transfer in place during the summer of 2018.

Davies’ meteoric rise to prominence has continued in Germany and he now has a European Cup winners’ medal to his name after helping to edge out Paris Saint-Germain in the 2020 final.

He has come a long way in a short space of time, but Earnshaw claims to have never been in any doubt that the youngster was destined for top.

Davies’ drive and ambition was obvious from a young age, with a man who spent time working in the Vancouver Whitecaps’ academy system after hanging up his boots telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “He was 14 when I first met him, just as I started coaching.

“Somebody didn’t tell me his age and halfway through coaching someone said ‘he’s 14’ and it was like ‘what, what do you mean 14?!’

“You could see that he was very childlike in his manners, in his ways, and as soon as someone said that it was like, ‘ok’.

“The funny thing was, he started training with the first team. He would train with the first team and I’m training the U14s and 15s in the afternoon and he finishes with the first team and later on he used to come to my training session in the afternoon and wanted to join in. That is just how he was, he loved football.

“He’s very humble, he doesn’t care that he’s been with the first team, he wants to go and play with the 14s and 15s and join in there. It’s just who he is.

“He’s very fearless but he’s just so pure. He doesn’t care where he is and what’s happening around him, he’s just the same. It’s beautiful.”

Earnshaw added on the Whitecaps’ efforts to prevent Davies from doing too much: “The first few times I let him, I was like ‘yeah, no problem, come and join in’.

“After a little while I had to say to him ‘listen, you can’t train with us anymore, it’s time’.

“It was one of those, but he’s just improving all the time. With his speed and who he is and his ability, it started to show very, very quickly.”

Ligue 1 side Metz have announced the signing of Boubakar Kouyate from French second division club Troyes.

The Mali international signed a four-year deal with the Maroons after undergoing a successful medical with the club.

Kouyate teamed up with Troyes in January 2019 and delivered impressive performances, helping them to finish fourth on the Ligue 2 table.

The centre-back scored five goals for the Stade de l'Aube outfit to emerge as the club’s top-scorer of the campaign and earned a spot in L'Equipe's Ligue 2 team of the season.

His performances saw him linked to Championship side Nottingham Forest before he settled for the Maroons.

“It is with great pleasure that I join FC Metz. They are really a good Ligue 1 club and I am convinced that my arrival in Moselle will allow me to continue to improve,“ Kouyate told the club website . 

Kouyate also revealed how his compatriot Mamadou Fofana influenced his decision to team up with the Stade de l'Aube outfit.  

“Before coming here, I spoke with Mamadou [Fofana] and I had only good feedback," he added.

Kouyate started his career with Malian side EFC Medine Bamako in 2013, where he spent two seasons before joining Moroccan club Kawkab Marrakech.

The centre-back then moved to Europe to continue his development, joining Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the summer of 2016.

Kouyate made 45 league appearances for Sporting B team before he signed for Troyes in 2019 to end his three-year stay with the club.

The 23-year-old was part of Mali side that reached the semi-final of the 2015 U-20 World Cup and made his debut for the senior national team against Morocco in September 2017.

Kouyate has five caps for the Eagles and was part of the West African team that featured at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The defender will hope to continue his impressive performances at club level, this time with Metz, to boost his regular call-up to the national team.

Highlands Park coach Owen Da Gama has expressed delight after striker Peter Shaluile managed to net his 14th Premier Soccer League (PSL) goal on Saturday.

The Lion of the North talisman is now equal with his Orlando Pirates counterpart, Gabadinho Mhango, and Da Gama wants to see the Namibian walking away with the top goalscorer award.

“I’m so happy for him, I’m really happy for him for getting his 14th goal,” Da Gama said after the match.

“I hope he gets two or three more goals just to cement that situation [golden boot] because he deserves it.

“The team will keep on fighting. We live to fight another day.”

Shalulile found the back of the net against Polokwane City whom they faced at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in their 1-1 draw.

As some of the PSL strikers are struggling to continue with their rich vein of form they displayed before the season was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic in March, the 27-year-old has hit the ground running.

The former National First Division (NFD) campaigner also scored against Mamelodi Sundowns and the latest strike against Rise and Shine has boosted his ambitions to win the coveted accolade.

Meanwhile, Da Gama has always insisted that the Brave Warriors international is the best finisher in the South African top-flight by far and hopes he will score more goals to clinch the award.

The Tembisa-based club has a week to fully prepare for the clash against the Team of Choice as they sit eighth on the table with 34 points from 27 games so far.

In addition, Shalulile has been reportedly linked with a move away from the Lions of the North with PSL giants such as Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and the Buccaneers reportedly keen to land his signature.

However, the former Bafana Bafana manager has recently revealed interest from an unnamed Egyptian club, and the number and status of the clubs vying for his signature are expected to rise should he eventually manage to win the top scorer award.

Rickie Lambert hopes Nike’s association with Liverpool helps to bring a “marquee signing” into Anfield, but concedes that a dream deal for Kylian Mbappe may be “out of reach”.

The Reds have been linked with an audacious raid on Paris Saint-Germain for a World Cup-winning forward.

Mbappe has aired his admiration for the Premier League champions and Jurgen Klopp in the recent past, with the 21-year-old considered to be dropping hints that a future move to Merseyside could be on the cards.

He would, however, not come cheap and leading sides around the world are having to rein in their recruitment ambition as the financial implications of a global coronavirus pandemic hit hard.

Liverpool do still have money to spend, and are being linked with a number of additions in the current window.

Lambert would love to see them ask questions of Mbappe’s availability, with Nike’s links to the France international aiding that cause, but he accepts that a deal is unlikely.

It may be that they have to look elsewhere for attacking additions, with the general consensus being that Klopp needs to bring in greater depth to a unit that leans heavily on Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

“I would like to see Liverpool bring in at least one more forward to help with the goals, to help the front three and to give it a little bit more competition,” former Reds frontman Lambert told talkSPORT.

The ex-England international added on a potential swoop for Mbappe: “You always dream, don’t you?

“I was thinking with Nike taking over, every time you take over a team, they always have a marquee signing.

“I was hoping Mbappe or something. But I think he is out of our reach, to be honest.”

Mbappe has left the door open for an approach to be made at some stage, with a man who suffered in defeat in the 2020 Champions League final with PSG having told The Mirror of Klopp’s side during the 2019-20 campaign: “This season, Liverpool have been a machine in the Premier League.

“They have made winning look easy but the truth is that it is never easy. 

“Performances like they have been having don’t just happen.

“To be as ruthless as they have been would come from lots of hard work in training and from having a very good manager.”

Joe Hart "believes he is better" than Hugo Lloris, according to Paul Robinson, who thinks the Tottenham goalkeeper will be eyeing the No.1 jersey at his new club.

Hart dropped into the free agency pool at the end of June after Burnley decided against his extending his contract at Turf Moor.

The 33-year-old was subsequently linked with the likes of Celtic, Leeds United and West Brom, while a potential move abroad was also mooted.

However, Spurs ultimately won the race for Hart's signature, as he signed a two-year contract with the north Londoners on August 18.

It has been suggested that a man who won two Premier League titles at the height of his career with Manchester City has only been brought in to help Tottenham meet their homegrown player quota, but Robinson expects him to push Lloris for a starting spot.

He does not believe that Hart will be content to sit on the bench week in, week out, and can see back-up keeper Paulo Gazzaniga being moved on now that competition for a place between the sticks has increased.

“It is a very sensible signing for all parties,” former Spurs number one Robinson told Football Insider.

“It is a huge box ticked – another home-grown player. You have seen the likes of Scott Carson and Richard Wright (at Manchester City), Lee Grant at Manchester United and Rob Green at Chelsea.

"But saying that I think the Joe Hart situation is different at Spurs.

“He will not be going there to rest on his laurels. He will be thinking, and certainly, I would be thinking, that Lloris has been injury prone and inconsistent over the past couple of seasons, Gazzaniga has done OK’ but Joe Hart definitely believes he is better than him.

"He will fancy his chances of playing.

“With the number of games that Spurs have got, given that they have to go into the Europa League early, there will be game time. It is a real opportunity for him to play some games. 

“Whether the signing of Joe Hart means that Gazzaniga is moving on we will have to wait and see.”  

Manchester United are hoping to see Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes form a formidable midfield partnership but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still needs to bring in another creative option, says Gary Pallister.

The Red Devils have invested heavily in that area of the field over recent years, with their transfer record shattered when bringing France international Pogba back to Old Trafford in 2016.

It took £89 million ($117m) to secure Pogba’s signature, while a further £47m ($62m) was required to lure Portuguese playmaker Fernandes away from Sporting in January.

The latter has offered an immediate return on his price tag, becoming a talismanic figure in the process, while the former is being backed to fulfil the potential that he quite clearly has.

Pogba and Fernandes could become a destructive pairing for United, allowing them to chase down major honours, but Pallister feels cover is required in the current transfer window – with the Red Devils having been heavily linked with Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.

The former United defender told Compare.bet: "I suppose, if Pogba or Fernandes is injured, have we got anybody else with that kind of vision?

"Everybody was talking about McTominay and Fred doing really well before Paul Pogba came back into the side and before we bought Bruno. Especially Fred.

"I think he’s had a tough time at Manchester United — everybody was saying that he was a waste of money, that he looked out of his depth, that he didn’t really look as though he’d settled in England.

"But up until lockdown this season, he’s probably been one of our more consistent players, so he’s turned it around. Scott McTominay is a young kid who’s done exceptionally well.

"You know, they haven’t got the vision that Pogba and Fernandes have got, but I think they give you a bit of steel.

"Scott’s a Manchester United boy, he’s come up through the system, he understands the club, so I’m not panicking that much about the midfield area.

"Maybe, as I say, we need somebody if Pogba or Fernandes is injured."

Another of those that United have been linked with in a bid to find added spark is Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

Pallister believes the 20-year-old forward would be a useful addition, saying: “It would certainly help.

“Sancho’s much sought after, he’s English, and I think he’s the type of player that you love to see at Old Trafford. He’s entertaining.

“Whether they can break up the City-Liverpool dominance remains to be seen, but certainly, as I say, we’re on the right track to do something about that.

“Is it too early right now? We need to get a little bit more quality into the squad, there’s no doubt about that. But we’re on the right track.

“It might take a couple more years before we’re fighting for the Premier League title. I’d maybe say that next year is probably too soon, but Ole’s putting things in place.”

KCCA FC administrator Moses Kaddu has urged Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) to secure the allowances for Caf 2020/21 participants as quickly as possible to help teams prepare properly.

KCCA will be taking part in the Confederation Cup while Vipers SC are expected to represent the country in the Champions League and now Kaddu feels the two need urgent financial assistance to prepare.

“We politely ask Fufa for an allowance to allow KCCA and Vipers to start preparation for the Caf engagements which will be happening before the end of the year,” Kaddu said during a UPL-Fufa monthly breakfast meeting.

On his part, Fufa president Moses Magogo explained the importance of the approved allocation of Fifa solidarity grants to the clubs who were hit by the coronavirus break.

“Let us remain supportive as we continue to involve the different parties. We all have a common agenda which is sport where there is a lot of value addition,” Magogo said. “We must protect the brand of the UPL, it is a baby we must protect at all times.

“Fufa is in control of these Covid-19 funds and the objective is to compensate losses by making payments directly to the club accounts.

“We also have to ensure that football eventually resumes since you are aware that there are 22 unfinished matches that have to be completed before the new season resumes in October 2020.”

Fufa deputy CEO Decolas Kiiza talked about the urgency that is needed to see sports resume since they were suspended in March.

“There is need to return to the fields of play by yesterday rather than tomorrow,” Kiiza said.

“Fufa continues to engage government through the National Council of Sports and Ministry of Health on how football can best return, even without fans in respect of the Standard Operating Procedures.”

On his part, UPL CEO Bernard Bainamani revealed why the clubs did not receive the last quarter of the sponsorship money.

“The 2019/20 Premier League was unique in such a way that the coronavirus pandemic caused an abrupt end of the season,” Bainamani said.

“This brought a situation where the remaining batch of the sponsors’ money has not been paid and there is a fraction is being discussed.”

SC Villa’s executive Shawn Mubiru spoke about the importance of unity among the top-tier teams.

“This is a big challenge that we have to face as UPL. We must take a strong stand as one entity and bargain for the best,” Mubiru said.

Fufa and the Premier League (UPL) clubs will be meeting on a monthly basis to discuss issues of common interest.