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Greek side Aris Thessaloniki have secured the services of Ghana defender Lumor Agbenyenu, the club have announced.

The left-back joins the Super League outfit on a two-year deal, bringing an end to a largely unsettled spell with Portuguese fold Sporting CP.

He last played for Spanish side Real Mallorca on loan.

“PAE Aris announces the acquisition of the international Ghanaian defender, Lumor Agbenyenu,” the club announced on Friday.

“After two loan spells at Turkish Goztepe and Spanish Mallorca (23 appearances in La Liga), the 24-year-old left-back (born 15 August 1996 in Accra) is now ready for the new challenge of his career at Aris. He has 13 appearances with the Ghana national team.

“Lumor signed a two-year contract. We welcome him to the ARIS family and wish him good luck.”

Lumor is a product of Ghana lower division side Wassaman United, who first sent him out on loan to Porto’s youth side in 2014-15.

After one season with the Dragons, he headed for another loan at Portimonense, who ultimately signed him on a permanent contract.

In 2017, he joined German lower-tier side 1860 Munich on loan, after which he permanently switched camp to Sporting after a fine season in Bundesliga 2.

His first task was to help Sporting negotiate the second half of the 2017-18 term, making a limited seven league outings.

"I will give everything on the field,” Lumor said.

"I come to one of the biggest teams in Greece, which in recent years has played a leading role in the championship. I have gathered the best information about my new team and I am very happy to be a member of this family as of today.

“What I can say is that I will give everything on the field to return the trust of Aris, and all together, with hard work, we’ll take the team even higher in the new season.”

Lumor’s little game time forced him out on loan, first to Goztepe in the Turkish league, and then to Mallorca in La Liga.

Back with Sporting last season, he made no appearances, signalling an imminent end to his time with the club.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted that Moussa Djenepo could play at the left-back position for the 2021-22 season.

Djenepo, who predominantly features as a winger, has proved his versatility in the Saints’ pre-season with impressive defensive performances in their friendly games.

Against Cardiff City on Tuesday, the 23-year-old was drafted into the defence and he still managed to score a goal in their 4-0 win in Wales.

Hasenhuttl believes he will deliver in the newly discovered role when the Premier League campaign starts, but he admits the Mali star has some learning to do.

"I think it’s like a bonus that compared to the other number 10s, he can also play in this position,” Hasenhuttl said per Daily Echo.

“He is defensively super strong, when he goes and attacks. And with the ball he has shown when he is up the pitch he can dribble inside.

"As a full-back, this is a super nasty situation. I see him there in this season, to be honest.

"He still has to learn. Especially his mindset must be right, that he accepts this position and that he wants to play there. Then I think he can do a good job there."

Djenepo moved to St Mary's Stadium on a four-year contract from Standard Liege in 2019 and he has become a key part of their attacking set-up.

He has scored three goals with two assists in 45 Premier League matches across two seasons.

Meanwhile, Southampton are still looking to add more depth to their squad following the exits of Gabon's Mario Lemina, Ryan Bertrand and Jake Vokins.

"We will definitely get a few more [players] in at full-back, also maybe a six [defensive midfielder] and a centre-back,” Hasenhuttl added.

"The market is now getting a little bit hotter. We have our fingers in the market but we must wait until the right moment.

"We are clear that we need more players than last season.”

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa has stated he would not leave his position for being associated with Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks.

Critics have complained being FKF president and at the same time maintaining an association with Sharks would lead to a conflict of interest, but Mwendwa is adamant that this would not be the case since there are rules that govern football. 

He gave an example of Caf president Patrice Motsepe who was elected despite owning the Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns.

"I would not be here if I did not have Kariobangi Sharks, because I could not have been elected president," Mwendwa told Citizen TV.

"I was elected because I was the chair of Kariobangi Sharks, and if you look across Africa, there are 12 presidents who own clubs like me. They are in Senegal, Sierra Leone, and in many other countries that I can mention.

"The Caf president [Patrice Motsepe] himself has Sundowns and he can not leave his club because we have told him to take up the Caf job. We all have clubs, but there is no unfairness that is permeated because somebody has a club. We have a structure in place that governs the game.

"We have Fifa and Caf ethics in place that ensures, for example, the Caf president will not help his South African club in any way."

Meanwhile, Mwendwa supported the idea of having local players dominate the national team.

In the last African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Togo, Kenya head coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee overlooked foreign-based players including Erick Johanna, Johanna Omollo, Victor Wanyama, and Ayub Timbe, and relied on players who were majorly drawn from the Premier League.

To Mwendwa, that was a good move to help such players get accustomed to international competitions.

"But look at our last two games, especially the one against Togo it mostly featured local players, which means players from AFC Leopards, Wazito and Mathare United have already been incorporated into the national team," he continued.

"We want to have them play in the top competitions so that we can continue relying on them as a country."

Kenya will next participate in the World Cup qualifiers that will begin in September.

The U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association (USNSTPA), which represents players for the U.S. men’s national team, showed support for the U.S. women's national team's fight for equal pay in a legal filing, arguing that the women deserve more pay than the men's team.

Amicus briefs were filed on Friday in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as part of the latest chapter in the USWNT's equal-pay lawsuit, and one of those briefs came from USNSTPA, which claimed the women players actually deserve more than equal wages due to an outdated collective bargaining agreement and potential performance bonuses. 

The women's team is currently aiming to see a district court ruling reversed after its original lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation was dismissed. 

What did the amicus brief say?

"While the women are correct that the Federation has refused to provide them with equal pay, the reality is that equal should have been an absolute minimum under the facts of this case," the statement read in part. 

"Because of the Federation’s dramatic increases in revenue associated with the USMNT and USWNT in the years preceding the 2017 collective bargaining agreement, the women’s agreement should not have provided simply for appearance fees and performance bonuses equal to those in the men’s 2011 agreement; it should have provided the women higher pay.

"The USMNT Players Association expected the Federation to agree in 2017 to pay the women far in excess of what the men were being paid under their agreement negotiated in 2011 and was stunned to see that the Federation did not even agree to pay the women at the same level it had negotiated with the men six years earlier. See 5-ER-1070.

"Given the Federation’s dramatically improved financial circumstances, the women were due at least triple the compensation provided for in the men’s agreement."

The statement adds: “The United States Soccer Federation markets the United States Men’s and Women’s National Teams under the slogan, ‘One Nation. One Team.’ But for more than 30 years, the Federation has treated the Women’s National Team players as second-class citizens, discriminating against the women in their wages and working conditions and paying them less than the Men’s National Team players, even as U.S. Soccer has enjoyed a period of extraordinary financial growth.

"The Federation has never offered or provided equal pay to the women, and the district court’s holding to the contrary cannot be squared with the facts.”

What was the USWNT's response?

"As we celebrate today's incredible quarter-final Olympic win, we also saw overwhelming support for our appeal from many committed to equal pay including the National Women's Law Center, the Women’s Sports Foundation, former EEOC officials the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, and others, and we are grateful," tweeted Molly Levinson, who represents the USWNT.

"A special thank you to the men players, the U.S. National team, for the strong support in their amicus brief today in which they joined with the women players to decry USSF’s continued discrimination against the women. To our U.S. National Team colleagues: thank you for your serious allyship for equal pay. Now THAT is One Nation One TEAM. LFG!"

What happens next?

U.S. Soccer recently requested a time extension as part of the appeal to the Ninth Circuit, which the courts granted. As a result, their respose to the players' opening brief will be due by Sept. 22.

After that, the players' legal team will have a 21-day period in which to respond.

The appeal process is expected to go on for quite some time, and could last into 2022 or even 2023. 

In the past, U.S. Soccer has said that the federation would be open to meeting with the players to discuss an out-of-court settlement. The two sides agreed on a settlement regarding working conditions, including flights, venue selection, support staff and hotel accommodations, earlier this year.

How is the USWNT doing at the Olympics?

The USWNT are set to play in the Olympic semifinals after edging the Netherlands on penalty kicks on Friday.

The squad will take on Canada on Monday in one semifinal, with Australia facing Sweden in the other match.

The winners of those matches will meet for the gold medal on Aug. 6 with the losers competing for bronze one day prior.

Further reading

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have been emboldened to keep their Super League dreams alive by a European court ruling against UEFA on Friday.

The court has determined UEFA cannot sanction clubs for signing up for the Super League, which the continental powers have taken as a signal that "going forward we will no longer be subject to ongoing UEFA's threats".

The organisations have said their "aim is to keep developing the Super League project in a constructive and cooperative manner" while accusing UEFA of monopolistic practices.

What did the court rule?

Following a similar ruling in a Spanish court last month, a European court has ordered UEFA to revoke all legal sanctions imposed on Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus for planning the creation of the breakaway Super League.

What has been said?

A statement released by three of the founding members of the Super League said: "FC Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid CF welcome today's Court's decision enforcing, with immediate effect, UEFA's obligation to unwind the actions taken against all European Super League founding clubs, including terminating the disciplinary proceedings against the undersigning three clubs and removing the penalties and restrictions imposed on the remaining nine founding clubs for them to avoid UEFA's disciplinary action.

"The Court backs the request made by the promoters of the European Super League, dismisses UEFA's appeal, and confirms its warning to UEFA that failure to comply with its ruling shall result in fines and potential criminal liability. The case will be assessed by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, which shall review UEFA's monopolistic position over European football."

The clubs then outlined their plans for the future, claiming they would keep developing the Super League project in a new form.

"We have the duty to address the very serious issues facing football: UEFA has established itself as the sole regulator, exclusive operator, and unique owner of rights of European football competitions. This monopolistic position, in conflict of interest, is damaging football and its competitive balance. As shown by ample evidence, financial controls are inadequate, and they have been improperly enforced. Clubs participating in European competitions have the right to govern their own competitions.

"We are pleased that going forward we will no longer be subject to ongoing UEFA's threats. Our aim is to keep developing the Super League project in a constructive and cooperative manner, always counting on all football stakeholders: fans, players, coaches, clubs, leagues, and national and international associations. We are aware that there are elements of our proposal that should be reviewed and, of course, can be improved through dialogue and consensus. We remain confident in the success of a project that will be always compliant with European Union laws."

What is the Super League?

Headed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, the Super League started as a dramatic plan for many of Europe's top clubs to break away from their existing competitions to create their own insular league immune to relegation.

After mere days, however, most of the organisations had backed out amid fan backlash.

Who was in the original Super League?

The initial Super League members were AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham.

Further reading

Predictably, the Carling Black Label Cup is generating a genuine buzz among Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates ahead of Sunday’s showdown between the Soweto giants.

The fixture—the traditional curtain raiser of the South African football season—provides a unique opportunity for supporters to take over the management of their beloved teams, with fans able to vote for which players should start the blockbuster clash.

The likes of Thulani Hlatshwayo and Itumeleng Khune have been popular with the voters, and both will start on Sunday, while some regulars from both sides have been dropped to the bench as supporters have cast their votes on the makeup of the starting XIs.

Beyond the voting, the fixture has got people talking online, with Google search traffic spiking as fans look to find out about the match itself.

Intriguingly, the biggest rising query over the last 24 hours has been Cole Alexander—with the Kaizer Chiefs new boy generating major interest among supporters.

Alexander has signed a three-year deal with the Amakhosi after leaving Indian Super League side Odisha FC, but his arrival has generated some controversy among supporters, with some claiming that—at 32—he’s too old already to pull on the famous black and gold.

However, he’s trusted by previous mentor Stuart Baxter, and will surely relish a reunion with the returning Glamour Boys boss.

The top search terms, expectedly, have been ‘Black Label Cup’, ‘Black Label’, ‘Black Label Cup 2021’ and ‘Carling Black Label’, as fans clamour to find out the latest updates related to the match and to the competing teams.

Fans looking for the details around the fixture, specifically those searching ‘Chiefs vs Pirates Black Label 2021 Date’, ‘Carling Black Label Cup Kick Off Time’ or ‘Carling Black Label Cup Date and Time’ can find all the match specifics on Goal.

The match takes place on August 1, with kick off time at 17:00 South Africa time.

You can watch the fixture on SuperSport’s PSL Channel—number 202—and make sure to stay tuned in to Goal for all of the build-up to the contest and fallout after fulltime.

Orlando

"Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that it has reached an agreement with Moroka Swallows for the services of Austin Muwowo on a season-long loan for the upcoming 2021/22 season," a club statement read.

"The Zambian international who spent the past two seasons with the Buccaneers will be joined by new signing Monnapule Saleng who will gain valuable first-team experience with the Dube Birds in the upcoming campaign," another statement read.

"Orlandopiratesfc.com can also confirm the departure of defender Justice Chabalala who moves to Chippa United for the remainder of the season," a statement concluded. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold has signed a new contract with Liverpool, the club announced.

The fullback's new deal will run through 2025, keeping him at his boyhood club for the foreseeable future.

Alexander-Arnold has made a total of 179 appearances for Liverpool so far after emerging from the club's academy system.

What was said?

“I'm honoured to be given the opportunity and to be shown the trust in the club to be given an extension, so it was a no-brainer for me,” Alexander-Arnold told Liverpoolfc.com. 

“The state the club is in and where I'm at in my career is always a good option for me. To extend and make sure I'm here longer is always a good thing. I'm made up.

“It's the only club I've ever really known, so to be here for this amount of time and extending to be here for a longer amount of time is amazing for me and my family. 

“It's a proud moment for me – it always is – signing a new contract here. To be given the trust, like I said before, by the club and the staff is an amazing feeling.”

“It’s not too often [I think about it] but I think I've achieved so much, I've achieved so many dreams and goals that I never actually thought I would,” he continued. 

“I live the dream every day really. Being able to represent the club and to be in and around names and players, and obviously managers and staff, that are world class every day is a privilege for me and I'm very fortunate to be in the position I am.”

Spain will continue to seek a first semi-final appearance at the Olympic Games for two decades when they face the Ivory Coast in the men's tournament quarter-finals in Rifu at Tokyo 2020.

Watch Spain vs Ivory Coast on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

La Rojita topped Group C with an unbeaten run to make it to the last eight but will have to overcome Les Elephants, who held Brazil to a draw and eliminated Germany in Group D.

Ahead of the game, Goal has the details of how to watch the men's Olympics soccer tournament on TV, how to stream online, team news and more.

TV channel, live stream and how to watch

In the United States (US), this year's Olympics soccer games can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (watch with a 7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

Team news and rosters

Having edged Group C thanks to a draw with Argentina, Luis de la Fuente's side will have been delighted to avoid Brazil in the last eight - but La Rojita will be under no illusions that they are in for an easy ride at Miyagi Stadium.

Given that a whole host of players doubled up at Euro 2020 before heading to Japan, fears of burnout could still rear their head for Spain - but with such talents like Pedri and Ferran Torres delivering the goods, they may have enough left in the tank to snatch a medal finish.

Predicted Spain starting XI: Simon; O Gil, Garcia, Torres, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Pedri; Asensio, Oyarzabal, Olmo.

A goalless draw with the Selecao, followed by a 1-1 encounter with Germany to eliminate the Europeans in their final Group D encounter has seen Soualiho Haidara's side match their best-ever Olympic finish merely by making the quarter-finals, a feat they also notched at Beijing 2008.

Over a decade later, they could book a first-ever semi-final berth if they can upset the odds in Rifu - but they'll need their star men, such as Milan's Franck Kessie and Manchester United duo Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo, to really step up to the plate.

Predicted Ivory Coast starting XI:  Tape; Singo, Bailly, Dabila; I Diallo; A Diallo, Keita, Kouame, Kessie; Gradel, Dao.

Recent results

Chivas will seek their first points of the new Liga MX campaign when they cross paths with Puebla this weekend.

Watch Puebla vs Chivas Guadalajara on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Guadalajara will make the trip to Estadio Cuauhtemoc looking to get off the mark after an opening defeat, while still missing a clutch of key players away on Olympic duty.

Ahead of the game, Goal has the details of how to watch on TV, stream online, team news and more.

TV channel, live stream & how to watch

In the United States (US), Liga MX matches can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (watch with a 7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

Team news & rosters

Quarter-finalists in the Torneo Guardianes 2020 last term after qualification through the reclassification, Los Camoteros' call to sack Juan Reynoso for Nicolas Larcamon saw them go one better in the Torneo Guardianes 2021.

Their attempts to go one better again got off to a rocky start however, with both Juan Segovia and Christian Tabo shown red cards against Monterrey, meaning they miss out on selection for the visit of Chivas.

Predicted Puebla starting XI: Silva; Gularte, Maia, Reyes; Corral, Salas, Aguilar, Araujo; Parra; Aristeguieta, Martinez. 

Having made the final four in the first part of last term before falling shy of the quarter-finals in the reclassification towards the end of last season, Guadalajara are looking to consolidate a return towards the upper part of the Liga MX table once more.

A tough opening defeat to Atletico San Luis however meant that they are yet to get off the mark - and they remain without Alexis Vega, Uriel Antuna, Ricardo Angulo and Fernando Beltran, all of whom are on Olympic duty with Mexico at Tokyo 2020.

Predicted Chivas starting XI:  Acevedo, Govea, Torres, Doria, Andrade, Rivas, Gorriaran, Valdes, Otero, Ibarguen, Jeraldino

Last five results

Head-to-head

Ben White has completed his £50 million switch to Arsenal from Brighton as Mikel Arteta's recruitment drive at Emirates Stadium begins to gather pace.

White has become Arsenal's third major signing of the summer after Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga, who arrived from Benfica and Anderlecht respectively.

The 23-year-old signed a four-year deal that will keep him at the Emirates until 2025 after passing a medical, and will now join up with his new team-mates ahead of the Gunners' latest pre-season friendly against Chelsea on Sunday. It has also been confirmed he will wear No 4 for Arsenal.

What has been said?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told the club website: “Ben was a top target for us and it’s great that we’ve completed his signing.

"Ben has been educated with two very good clubs, Brighton and Leeds, in recent seasons. He has benefitted well from two very good coaching set-ups and has shown with both Brighton and on loan with Leeds what a strong talent he is. 

"Ben is an intelligent defender who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and his style fits perfectly with us. Of course he is still young, so his age and profile fits with what we are building here. We are all looking forward to Ben being central to our future long-term plans."

White's credentials

White will be expected to slot straight into Arteta's starting XI after proving he can deliver the goods in the Premier League at Brighton last term.

The centre-back returned to the Amex Stadium after a loan spell at Leeds United last summer and played an instrumental role in helping the Seagulls avoid relegation, featuring in all but two of their top-flight fixtures.

White also earned his first two England caps in friendly wins over Romania and Austria at the start of June, and impressed enough to secure a place in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2020 squad.

He ultimately had to watch on from the bench as the Three Lions made it all the way to the final before losing to Italy on penalties, but Gunners supporters will hope that he can hit the ground running at Emirates Stadium.

Who will Arsenal target next?

White's arrival should help to shore up Arsenal's defence heading into the new campaign, but there are still several other issues for Arteta to address.

The Gunners are lacking creativity in midfield following Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard's respective returns to Real Madrid after loan spells, and it has been reported that they are now readying a bid for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.

Lille star Renato Sanches has also been touted for a switch to the Emirates, while Inter's Lautaro Martinez is being mooted as a potential target as Arteta also seeks to strengthen his options up front.

Arsenal are in the market for a new goalkeeper too, with reports of an imminent £32m ($44m) deal for Sheffield United's Aaron Ramsdale now swirling amid speculation that they are also looking at Barca shot-stopper Neto.

Further reading

Nairobi City Stars halted Tusker’s charge towards the FKF Premier League title after a shock 1-0 win at Ruaraka grounds on Friday.

The Brewers came into the match knowing a win will help them open a four-point gap ahead of second-placed KCB, who had lost 2-0 against Posta Rangers in the early kick-off fixture, but they were shocked when Simba wa Nairobi scored courtesy of Ezekiel Odera in the 53rd minute.

Tusker coach Robert Matano made two changes to the squad that drew 0-0 against Mathare United in their last league outing with Apollo Otieno making a return and partnering Humphrey Mieno in the heart of the midfield while Jackson Macharia was also handed a start.

It was City Stars who threatened first as Odera forced goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure into an early save in the second minute after his powerful shot from outside the 18-yard box almost found the back of the net.

In the seventh minute, City Stars almost scored from a similar fashion as David Agesa delivered a cross towards goal from the right-wing, and Nicholas Kipkirui tried to turn it into the net but Mvuyekure made another important save to deny him.

Tusker made their first attempt at City Stars goal in the 12th minute when a beautiful cross from Rogers Aloro found Macharia unmarked, and he controlled the ball well before unleashing a right-footed effort that went inches wide.

In the 33rd minute, the Brewers threatened again with another counter-attacking move which saw Brian Marita setting up Mieno, but the latter’s final effort on the ball could not trouble City Stars’ custodian Steven Njunge.

Three minutes later, Agesa found space inside Tusker’s danger zone and before he could pull the trigger, Mieno made a timely save to clear the ball to a fruitless corner.

Tusker came close to break the deadlock in the 45th minute after Chris Ochieng rose brilliantly at the edge of the six-yard box to head in a cross from Marita but his effort drifted out for a goal-kick.

City Stars then took the lead in the 53rd minute when Odera finished off a cross from Timothy Otieno and the goal shook the Brewers’ bench with Matano making a triple change, Kevin Otieno, Hillary Wandera, and Luke Namanda coming in for Sammy Meja, Chris Onyango, and Macharia.

In the 60th minute, Tusker’s Chrispinus Onyango was booked for a yellow card after a reckless challenge on Kelvin Okumu and he was the second player from Tusker to be booked after Aloro had also been cautioned in the 55th minute.

Tusker almost levelled matters in the 70th minute after a brilliant play by Kepha set up Onyango but the striker’s shot sailed over the post.

The defeat means Tusker will remain on top of the 18-team table with 55 points from 27 matches while KCB are second on 54 points from 27 matches and AFC Leopards, who face rivals Gor Mahia in Mashemeji derby on Saturday, are third on 44 points from 26 outings.

Tusker: Emery Mvuyekure (GK), Eric Ambunya, Sammy Miseh, Eugene Asike, Rogers Aloro, Humphrey Mieno, Apollo Otieno, Jackson Macharia, Chrispinus Onyango, Brian Marita, and Christopher Ochieng’.

Subs: Michael Wanjala, Hillary Wandera, Jimmy Mbugua, Vincent Ngesa, Faraj Odeny, Michael Madoya, Eric Zakayo, Luke Namanja, and Kevin Okoth.

Nairobi City Stars: Steven Njunge (GK), Kevin Okumu, Bolton Omwenga, Wycliffe Otieno, Kennedy Onyango, Elvis Noor, Nicholas Kipkirui, Anthony Kimani, Ezekiel Odera, Timothy Ouma, and David Agesa.

Subs: Jacob Osano (GK), Calvins Masawa, Edwin Buliba, Herit Mungai, John Kamau, Vincent Otieno, Aziz Okaka, Charles Otieno, and Erick Ombija.

Manchester United have confirmed there are no positive Covid cases within the first team training group after a scare on Thursday. 

Players and staff are routinely tested and results on Thursday taken by lateral flow tests showed a small group, which included players and staff, had tested positive for the virus.

That group isolated while they awaited results of a PCR test, but are all now allowed back into the training ground after further testing showed they are negative. 

What happened? 

The players and staff were tested after the game against Brentford, as is routine, and a small number of the lateral flow tests came back positive. 

The club consequently issued a statement explaining there were suspected positive Covid cases in the group and their pre-season clash against Preston North End, due to be played on Saturday, was called off. 

Since they announced the cancellation of the fixture all players and staff have undergone more testing through PCR tests which showed the initial results were ‘false positives.’ 

Those results mean all players have been able to safely return to training and the club will continue to adhere to the Covid protocols. The decision to cancel the Preston game was precautionary in order to inform fans and it will not be rearranged. 

It is expected the rest of their pre-season plans will go ahead as planned. 

What was said? 

A statement from United released on Friday afternoon read: “After further testing yesterday and today we can confirm that there are no positive cases within the first team group.

"Following consultation with the Premier League they are satisfied that all Covid protocols have been followed correctly and the squad can return to training immediately.”

What are United’s pre-season plans? 

So far Solskjaer’s side have played three friendly matches against Derby, Queens Park Rangers and Brentford recording a win, defeat and a draw respectively. The remainder of Solskjaer’s squad are expected to join up at the start of next week as they begin their final preparations for the season.

The team will take part in another training camp, similar to the one they had in Surrey last week, before their final friendly fixture against Everton on Saturday, August 7. 

Further reading

Tammy Abraham would "fit the bill" for Arsenal says Nigel Winterburn, but the Gunners have been warned against selling Alexandre Lacazette without having an "upgrade" lined up.

The Chelsea and England international striker could tick that box, with Mikel Arteta said to be among those mulling over a transfer raid on their London rivals.

Abraham is a proven Premier League performer and looks to be on the market this summer after slipping down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel.

What has been said?

Asked to pick out an ideal striker signing for Arsenal, former Gunners defender Winterburn - speaking in association with GentingBet - told Goal: "Is Robert Lewandowski an option! 

"Arsenal have been linked with Tammy Abraham from Chelsea. He certainly would fit the bill of recent Arsenal signings, young with a point to prove. People will question his consistency but what you want is for these young players to get a run in the team. 

"Is he going to get a run in a team if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is playing well? Probably not unless Aubameyang can be switched to the left-hand side - although you then need to leave out either Nicolas Pepe or Bukayo Saka.

"With Abraham, there’s potential there and development for a young, young player. So, I think it’s an option that Arsenal, although with Alexandre Lacazette being linked with a move away, it could be just a name that has been thrown into a hat."

Will Lacazette leave Arsenal?

Space for another goalscorer at Emirates Stadium would open up if France international Lacazette were to leave, with the 30-year-old yet to sign a contract extension beyond the summer of 2022.

Exit talk comes as no surprise, but Winterburn is wary of allowing a proven performer - one with 65 goals for the club - to leave before a suitable replacement has been acquired.

He added: "Arsenal shouldn’t sell Lacazette unless they’ve got an upgrade in place. I wouldn’t let him go until we have secured another striker. I’ve said that all along.  

"Lacazette is a different striker to anything Arsenal have at the club.  When he’s in top form, he holds the ball up well, his link-up play is good. 

"I suppose his strike rate is not the very, very best of what you want, but then we are not at the very, very top of the league either at the moment as well.  

"So personally, at the moment, I don’t want to see him go, unless we’ve got someone coming in that’s going to excite me. 

"I wouldn’t let him go and then we haven’t got anybody else to bring in. For me, that’s just way too risky."

Further reading

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is up for the challenge of offering Liverpool a central striking alternative to Roberto Firmino.

The England international has made his name as a midfielder, but Jurgen Klopp has been experimenting with him as a No 9 during pre-season.

There is a lack of depth in that position at Anfield with Brazil star Firmino the main man for the Reds, but Oxlade-Chamberlain is ready to step up if required.

What has been said?

"It’s a new little role up there which I quite enjoy," Oxlade-Chamberlain has told Liverpool's official website, with Firmino yet to return for pre-season after his Copa America exploits.

"It’s similar to how the more advanced midfielder plays in the team, but a little bit different defensively to get used to. Bobby does it better than anyone in world football so it’s not easy to follow him.

"In possession you can pick up nice positions and get on the ball. If I do play more often in that position my main thing is to contribute with goals because we create a lot in and around that area. Even when I’ve played in advanced midfield, I feel I can score goals from that area."

How many goals has Oxlade-Chamberlain scored?

The 27-year-old has never been prolific, with double figures reached in only one season - and that was in League One with Southampton in 2010-11.

His best return for Liverpool came in 2019-20 when he contributed eight across all competitions as Klopp's men claimed the Premier League title.

In total, Oxlade-Chamberlain has 14 goals from 104 appearances for the Reds and 44 in 345 outings in his club career as a whole. He has managed seven for his country from 35 caps.

Liverpool are counting down the days to their season opener against Norwich on August 14, with friendlies against Athletic Club and Osasuna before then.

Further reading

Ander Herrera has welcomed the arrival of Sergio Ramos at Paris Saint-Germain, with the Spanish midfielder billing his fellow countryman as "a football legend, a natural leader, a person with charisma, energy and brutal hunger".

Having missed out on Ligue 1 and Champions League crowns in 2020-21, French heavyweights have flexed their muscles again this summer to make a number of notable additions.

World Cup winner Ramos forms part of that refresh at Parc des Princes with the 35-year-old leaving Real Madrid as a free agent after 16 years, and he is expected to add important qualities to Mauricio Pochettino's ranks in the French capital.

What has been said?

Herrera, who made his own move to PSG in 2019, told Goal: "Sergio is perhaps the best defender in the history of our country. A football legend, a natural leader, a person with charisma, energy and brutal hunger. 

"I see that he is a fantastic signing, because he is not going to allow anyone to relax. He doesn't, so the others aren't going to do it. 

"Being able to share a dressing room with a guy like Sergio is a fantastic opportunity for me too, to be able to learn from him every day, to be able to enjoy having him. 

"As for the other signings, [Georginio] Wijnaldum and [Gianluigi] Donnarumma and [Achraf] Hakimi come to contribute. 

"They are very good market options, because both Wijnaldum and Donnarumma have come for free. Achraf is one of the best right-backs in the world, young and with a fantastic career trajectory. So, I think the club is moving very well."

Can Pochettino deliver for PSG?

A managerial change at Parc des Princes was made at the turn of the year, with former Tottenham coach Pochettino appointed in January as successor to current Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.

The Argentine was unable to deliver domestic and European prizes, but he has been handed a new contract and retains the full faith of his board and players.

Herrera added on his manager: "Tuchel and Mauricio are different coaches. Both are coaches who base their football on attack, on controlling the game through the ball, on trying to create as many chances as possible. They are teams that do not speculate, that attack. 

"Each coach has their nuances, but both are offensive, they base their game on possession and attack and I am delighted to be able to enjoy a coach of such a high level during my career. 

"I have been very lucky with the coaches, I consider myself a privileged person and I am super grateful because I have been able to get things out of everyone. 

"Now, with Mauricio, I am enjoying it a lot. I think we understand football in a similar way. I like how we train, I like the intensity of the football he wants, that the team is physically ready to attack and that it is prepared to press and play in the opposite half of the field. I think it goes well with my football and my way of understanding this profession."

How long will Herrera play for PSG?

The former Manchester United star faces fierce competition for places at PSG, but he is emabracing those challenges.

He is tied to a contract through to 2024 and intends to stick around in France until the end of that deal before returning to his roots.

The combative 31-year-old added: "I like to challenge myself in the very short term, but it is true and I have never hidden it that, once my contract in Paris ends in three years, I have the dream of returning to Zaragoza, which is my home and the club of my heart. Then it will be necessary to see if that can be done or not, but this is my dream."

Further reading

The World Cup may be the pinnacle of international football, but the Olympics tournaments hold plenty of prestige as well.

Football was first included in the Olympic Games in 1900 and has featured at every edition since except for 1932, while women's football has been a feature of the Games since 1996.

Some of the best players in the world have graced the competition over the decades, but which teams have been most successful?

Goal takes a look at the men's and women's teams with the most Olympic gold medals.

Which men's football team has won most Olympic gold medals?

Hungary and Great Britain hold the record for most Olympic gold medals in men's football with three golds each.

As well as winning gold in 1952, 1964 and 1968, Hungary also won silver in 1972 and bronze in 1960.

Great Britain, which does not always compete in the Olympics football tournament, won gold in 1900, 1908 and 1912.

Argentina, the Soviet Union and Uruguay follow with two golds each, with the Argentines also winning silver twice and the Soviets earning bronze on three occasions.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero were part of Argentina's 2008 Olympic gold-medal winning team, while Carlos Tevez was a key player for the Albiceleste in 2004. Javier Mascherano was part of both teams.

Fourteen teams have won gold medals once, including traditional heavyweights such as Brazil, Spain and Italy.

Brazil have won the most Olympic medals overall, with three silvers and two bronzes in addition to the gold they won in 2016.

Neymar, Rafinha and Gabriel Jesus were part of Brazil's gold medal-winning side. Jesus' Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also boasts an Olympic gold, having played in Spain's successful team of 1992 alongside Luis Enrique and Alfonso.

While no African team has yet won the World Cup, two of the continent's representatives have won Olympic gold, with Nigeria clinching it in 1996 followed by Cameroon in 2000.

Which women's football team has won most Olympic gold medals?

With four gold medals, the U.S. women's national team are the most successful team in the history of women's football at the Olympics.

Women's football was first introduced to the Olympics in the 1996 edition of the games and the USWNT have been a dominant force, winning four of the first five tournaments, picking up silver in the second edition.

The other women's football teams to win gold are Norway (Sydney 2000) and Germany (Rio de Janeiro 2016). The Germans have three bronze medals too, while Norway have one.

Brazil have two silver medals, while Japan, Sweden and China each finished second once. Canada, meanwhile, have won two bronze medals.

USWNT stars Tobin Heath, Mia Hamm, Carli Lloyd and Hope Solo are two-time gold medallists, while Shannon Boxx, Christie Rampone, Heather Mitts and Heather O'Reilly are three-time winners.