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Bruno Fernandes has aired his ambition to help Manchester United to “many titles”, with the Portuguese eager to make amends for semi-final heartache in 2019-20.

The Red Devils reached the last four of three competitions in a campaign that has just come to a close.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his side make impressive progress in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League, only for tangible success to remain elusive.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Sevilla dashed United’s dreams of silverware on multiple fronts, with the Red Devils having to console themselves with Champions League qualification through a third-place finish in the Premier League.

That is considered to be a step in right direction, but a rich history of trophy collecting at Old Trafford means that much more is expected.

Fernandes is determined to play a leading role in getting United back into the winners’ enclosure.

He has become a talismanic figure on the back of a January move from Sporting, with the 25-year-old playmaker contributing 12 goals to the collective cause through 22 appearances.

There is the promise of more to come from him on an individual level, while the desire of all of those on the red half of Manchester is to deliver cause for celebration as a collective.

In a message to the club’s supports on his personal Instagram account, Fernandes said: “Unfortunately our journey in the Europa League ends here.

“It wasn’t what we expected. We wanted to be in the final and fight for the trophy we so desired.

“Whilst we congratulate Sevilla for making it to the final, we still played well and we didn’t deserve to stop here.

“It is now time for rest and to reflect so that we come back even stronger and reach the goals we set ourselves for the next season!

“Thank you to all my team-mates and staff who welcomed me so well over these past months at the Red Devils.

“I hope to continue to learn and grow every day with you, and that we may conquer many titles in the future. Together we lose, together we make mistakes and together we grow.”

Fernandes fired United in front against Sevilla from the penalty spot, only to see the Spaniards turn the tie on its head and claim a 2-1 win.

That setback has further highlighted the need for Solskjaer to bolster his ranks in the summer transfer window, with the Red Devils now in the process of identifying and chasing down top targets.

Marseille's Ligue 1 season opener against Saint-Etienne has been postponed after the club confirmed three positive coronavirus tests.

The Ligue 1 club revealed on Sunday that three individuals within their "professional workforce" had been detected as potentially having Covid-19.

Their communication at the time indicated the club were seeking confirmation regarding these cases and follow-up tests on Monday all came back positive.

These results take the French outfit's total positive cases up to four in the past week, with the club subsequently announcing the transfer of all relevant information to the LFP.

Marseille's administration team delivered a message to supporters via Twitter on Tuesday, which reads: "Following the tests carried out on Monday, no new cases of Covid-19 were revealed, but Sunday's 3 suspected cases have been confirmed."

Marseille were due to kick off the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign on Friday at home to Saint-Etienne – but French football authorities have now confirmed that the fixture has been called off.

An official statement released by Ligue 1 reads: "In view of the medical results transmitted by Olympique de Marseille on Tuesday, August 18, the national Covid commission indicates to the LFP Competitions Commission that the virus is circulating within the Marseille club and proposes the postponement of the match."

The match will now be rescheduled to take place on either Wednesday, September 16 or Thursday, September 17, subject to further medical evaluations.

Friday's contest would have been the first Ligue 1 fixture since early March, when French authorities suspended action due to the coronavirus – with the competition then officially ended prematurely on April 28.

PSG were subsequently crowned champions for a third successive year, while Marseille secured a runners-up spot and automatic Champions League qualification.

Japhet Tanganga has been reflecting on a memorable breakthrough campaign at Tottenham which saw him go from playing against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane on FIFA to facing the Juventus and Liverpool superstars in real life.

The 21-year-old defender formed part of Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-season plans heading into 2019-20.

He figured in International Champions Cup fixtures during a busy summer, with one of those outings seeing him come up against Serie A title holders Juve and a certain five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“That was crazy! It didn’t feel real in many ways,” Tanganga told talkSPORT of lining up against Ronaldo.

“I was thinking, ‘I was just playing this man on FIFA but now this is real life, I’m playing against one of the greats’. He has a presence for sure.

“Luckily, I played well that day and so did the team, but I’ll never forget coming up against him for sure.”

Ronaldo found the target in that contest, but Spurs ran out 3-2 winners on the day.

Tanganga went on make his competitive bow in a Carabao Cup clash with Colchester, before Jose Mourinho threw him in at a Premier League deep end during a top-flight debut against Liverpool in January.

The youngster fared admirably against the elite, earning himself more opportunities in the process, with the promising full-back helping to keep Mane quiet in a game the Reds won 1-0.

On facing a Senegalese star, Tanganga said: “The boss pulled me aside a couple of days before the game and said, ‘do you want to play at the weekend?’, and I was like, ‘well, yeah!’

“Even though I was nervous I obviously couldn’t say no – that’s what we train for.

“So before the game I was YouTubing Mane and basically scouting him.

“I was watching him twisting guys up and I was like, ‘this could be me, man’. So I was nervous, but I had a decent game and he didn’t embarrass me or anything.”

Tanganga took in 11 appearances in total during the 2019-20 campaign, as he also saw FA Cup and Champions League action, with his efforts earning him a new long-term contract through to 2025.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have denied reports they have reached a deal to hire Florent Ibenge as Luc Eymael's successor at the club.

On Monday, after Jangwani giants dispatched their delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rumours went rife that they are about to conclude talks with coach Ibenge.

The Timu Ya Wananchi delegation was led by the Competition Committee chair and the representative of GSM, the club’s sponsors Hersi Said.

Yanga are in the market for a new coach after parting ways with head coach Luc Eymael, whose half-a-season stint was marred with controversy as well as assistant coach Boniface Mukwasa.

Said have now calmed down the rumours by stating he had travelled to Congo to do football business with AS Vita plus signing other players to join Yanga ahead of next season.

"I am here to do football business and with the level of reception I have received from AS Vita president and other club officials, everything is unfolding well,” Said is quoted by Daily News.

"We want to be a good example by following the right procedures to get players who are still contracted to their teams and not like other clubs which ignore such legal steps.”

Said further clarified he had not held talks with Ibenge but the club had tasked him to ensure he drives the club further to clinch the Caf Champions League title within the next two years.

Said visited AS Vita, a club that is being headed by Ibenge further fuelling the rumour mill the 58-year-old may agree to join the 27-time Tanzanian league champions.

Ibenge is one of the experienced African coaches having been in charge of Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua a job he started in April 2012. After the short sojourn in China, he came and took over the Linafoot bigwigs in 2014.

He was appointed the Democratic Republic of Congo national team head coach in 2014 and combined the role with AS Vita duties. Ibenge led The Leopards to the 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) title.

He stepped down last year from his national duties and returned to AS Vita.

Lazio director Igli Tare has reacted angrily to David Silva's move to Real Sociedad, insisting that although he has "great respect" for the midfielder "as a player" he does not hold him in high regard "as a man".

Silva completed a free transfer to Sociedad on Monday after leaving Manchester City at the end of their 2019-20 campaign, crashing the Spanish club's official website in the process.

The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract at the Anoeta, returning to La Liga after 10 hugely successful years in the Premier League.

Lazio had been mooted as the most likely next destination for the ex-Spain international in recent weeks, and his father Fernando Silva fuelled speculation over the potential switch earlier this month.

He told El Transistor of his son's desire to undertake a new challenge in Serie A: "I can confirm that he loves Serie A and would really enjoy playing in Italy. He told me he could play there until he’s 40."

However, Silva has ultimately decided to embark on the next stage of his career at Sociedad, a decision which came as an unwelcome surprise to Tare.

The Lazio chief said in an official press release: "I learn about David Silva's transfer to Real Sociedad. I have great respect for the player, but not for the man."

Sociedad handed Silva the No.21 shirt upon his arrival in San Sebastian, which was vacated when Real Madrid winger Martin Odegaard returned to Santiago Bernabeu following a season-long loan.

The former City star left the Etihad Stadium with his status as a club legend firmly intact, as he took in a total of 436 appearances for the Blues after moving to Manchester from Valencia in 2010.

Silva got his hands on four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups while on City's books, and established himself as one of the top playmakers in European football.

He will now hope to help Sociedad improve on last term's sixth place La Liga finish, with the Europa League also up for grabs for Imanol Alguacil's side in 2020-21.

Roma have been acquired by The Friedkin Group and the new owner wants to make the Serie A club one of the "greatest names in world football".

The Friedkin Group completed its takeover from president James Pallotta on Monday, acquiring an 86.6 per cent majority stake in the Italian team.

The Houston-based ownership group will launch a mandatory tender offer upon the publicly held ordinary shares, representing approximately 13.4 per cent of Roma's share capital.

Three-time Serie A champions Roma, who last won the Scudetto in 2001, finished fifth in 2019-20 – 13 points adrift of champions Juventus.

Roma also reached the Coppa Italia quarter-finals and Europa League last 16 during Paulo Fonseca's first season as head coach.

"We are delighted to join the AS Roma family," said Dan Friedkin, CEO and chairman of The Friedkin Group. "As one fan wrote recently, 'Take our iconic club and make it one of the greatest names in world football'. We intend to do just that.

"Our commitment to Roma is total. We will be very present in Rome, a city that holds a special place in our hearts, as we embark on this exciting journey. We recognise we are entrusted with a team that is a vital part of the soul of Rome, and this is a responsibility that we find humbling and will always take very seriously.

"As business owners, we look to identify and back strong management teams and leadership. Guido Fienga has proven to be a great CEO of Roma, and together we have developed an ambitious and disciplined business plan.

"We will give him the support, guidance and means to deliver on this plan and, to help maintain focus over these crucial weeks ahead, it will be primarily his voice that will speak for AS Roma. 

"Our shared vision for the club and the team is to favour a sustained, long-term investment approach rather than quick fixes of questionable durability.

"I'd also like to take a moment to thank Jim Pallotta and his partners for all they have done for the club. He and his team have been very helpful in preparing for a smooth transition and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.

"Finally, no comments would be complete without acknowledging the incredible strength, passion and loyalty of the fans and the Curva Sud. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with you as we develop this club and challenge for trophies in the future. We can't wait to get to work and for our new season to start."

New Azam FC signing Prince Dube has revealed his expectations after signing for the club on Monday.

The Zimbabwean international penned a two-year contract with the former league and FA Cup champions in a deal that is understood to have fetched his former side Highlanders FC of Zimbabwe $50,000.

Dube, who made the transfer with four months still remaining on his contract, has now revealed the reason he opted to sign for the Chamazi-based club ahead of the new 2020-21 campaign.

“I am very happy I just signed for Azam, I have come here to help the team to compete for trophies and also use every chance I get to score goals,” Dube told reporters after signing.

On whether he knew anything about the Tanzanian league, Dube said: “I did know a few things because my brother came here some years back and he had some good knowledge about it, he told me how big the league is and I know what to expect.”

On what the fans should expect from him, Dube said: “I just want to do good things for the team, I want to score goals and make sure they do well, we are a big team and we must fight for titles.

“I am ready to take up the new challenge because Azam is a big team and as a team, we have to fight for it and be ready to give the fans what they want, to win the title and come to the end of the season, we should be leading, smiling all the way.”

Dube has linked up with fellow Zimbabwean internationals Bruce Kangwa and Never Tigere. Dube and Kangwa featured for Highlanders before the former made the move to join the ‘Ice-Cream Makers’.

Dube is also the Young Warriors captain and his move to Azam is expected to hand him more experience in a foreign league after their previous struggles in South Africa.

The youngster left Bosso, as Highlanders are nicknamed, in 2017 for SuperSport United in the Premier Soccer League of South Africa but he did not manage to break into the first team.

He was loaned to Black Leopards for a season but still battled for regular game time. Dube became Zimbabwe’s 2019 Soccer Star of the Year second runners-up after he regained form at the 2006 league champions.

The forward made his national team debut on March 26, 2017, when Zimbabwe played to a 0-0 draw against neighbours Zambia. Since then, he has played in nine matches and has scored six goals.

Azam have been busy in the transfer market and have already signed Emmanuel Charles, former Gor Mahia keeper David Kissu Mapigano, Awesu Awesu, Ally Niyonzima, Ismail Aziz and Ayoub Lyanga.

Salum ‘Sure Boy’ Abubakar committed his future to the club for one more year despite intense interest from rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC).

Azam will be keen to strengthen their side after a disappointing 2019/20 season where they failed to retain the FA Cup title which Simba SC eventually won.

Manchester United need to be getting Scott McTominay back into their side alongside Paul Pogba, says Dimitar Berbatov, with the former Red Devils striker considering it “strange” that a combative Scot is being overlooked.

Nemanja Matic has been the favoured option of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to fill a holding midfield post during a productive run through the second half of the 2019-20 campaign.

The Serbian’s performances have earned him a contract extension, but fresh terms have also been put in place with McTominay.

The 23-year-old Old Trafford academy graduate has endured injury issues at times, but will be disappointed to have seen just two Premier League starts since competitive action resumed in mid-June.

Berbatov believes Solskjaer needs to be getting McTominay’s energy back into his first-choice XI, while also addressing the obvious weaknesses in United’s ranks during the summer transfer window.

The ex-Red Devils frontman told Betfair after seeing a third semi-final defeat of the season suffered at the hands of Sevilla in the Europa League: “The defeat showed that United need to strengthen their squad this summer. They need a centre-back for sure.

“Midfield and up front seems to be ok. Paul Pogba looks likely to stay and I would like to see Scott McTominay get back in the team.

“But United need more depth, Ole made his first substitution very late [against Sevilla] when things weren't going well. It does show he trusts his first 11 a lot, but maybe it shows he doesn't trust his bench so much. There will be lots of games next season, and they need to have the squad to be ready.

“I find McTominay's situation really strange. He is fit and ready, he got his contract extension, but he doesn't play. Is it because Matic and Fred play really well? I am not sure, but I like him a lot, so hopefully he can pick up the pace next season and get back into the team.

“United need to model themselves on Man City and Liverpool and aspire to that level.

“[Sevilla] was a test I thought United would pass, but it is a lesson learned for them. You can't blame inexperience either because they are plenty experienced as players. United have a lot to work on to reach the level of City and Liverpool now.”

Simba SC official Haji Manara has warned Young Africans (Yanga SC) to get ready for another beating when the two sides clash in the derby for the new season.

The Tanzanian Premier League Board (TPLB) released fixtures for the new 2020-21 campaign on Monday with the first Kariakoo derby pitting Simba against Yanga set for October 18 at Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Manara has now taken to his social media pages to warn Yanga they should mark the date for the derby and get ready to avoid using lame excuses after they suffer a humiliating 10-0 defeat.

“We [Simba] have already started training with our coach Sven [Vandenbroeck], while our colleagues [Yanga] don’t even have a coach,” Manara wrote on his social media pages.

“We have already finished with our registration of new players and there is no first-team player who left, but in Yanga a third of the team was fired, get ready before it is too late, don’t regret later and start saying that TFF is helping Simba when the season starts.

“We are already preparing ourselves but you are still in shambles, don’t forget our derby is on October 18, not far away, don’t start looking for small excuses, Simba are helped to win matches by TFF, ooh…Simba are supported by the speaker, Minister, just know we are preparing ourselves and you better get ready.”

Manara continued: “I remind you to get ready, Simba will beat you 10-0, we don’t have mercy for you, just continue to play around.”

Last season, the two giants met three times, with the first round ending in a 2-2 draw before Yanga turned on the screw to win the second round fixture 1-0, but they again faced off in the semis of the FA Cup where Simba won 4-1.

Simba then went ahead to seal a season double – winning the Community Shield, the league and the domestic cup – after beating Namungo FC 2-1 in the final played in Sumbawanga, Rukwa.

While Simba will have their coach Vandenbroeck for the derby, Yanga will have a new man in charge after they fired Belgian Luc Eymael at the end of the last campaign. In fact, it was Eymael, who helped Yanga to beat Simba in the second round tie.

On the other hand, Ghanaian midfielder Bernard Morrison will parade for Simba against his former side, whom he helped win the second round tie. It was his goal, from a free-kick, that enabled Yanga to run away with maximum points at the then derby played at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

But before the derby, the season is set to get underway on September 6 with Simba starting their title defence with a tie against newly-promoted Ihefu FC.

Yanga will start the new season with a match against Tanzania Prisons at the newly-named Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

When Crystal Palace assess the 2019/20 season, there may be a sense of ‘what might have been?’ owing to how a season that promised so much delivered so little in the end.

Having put themselves in a position to not only beat their best points tally in Premier League history (49 points in 18/19) or their highest finish (10th in 14/15), Roy Hodgson's troops eventually did neither, finishing on 43 points which was only good enough for 14th spot.

For a bit of context, Palace’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth in their first match post-lockdown put them on 42 points, which highlights the glaring collapse of the Eagles after the enforced hiatus. There were mitigating circumstances for the South London club picking up just one point from a possible 24 but none other encapsulates it than Jordan Ayew’s drop in productivity after that win over the Cherries.

The Ghana forward’s nine league goals saw him end top scorer in a Palace team not known for their goalscoring: only Norwich City’s 26-goal return was worse than the capital club’s 31, while Hodgson's men created the fewest big chances in the entire division (40), lower than the relegated Canaries’ 43.

Their strength lay in their defensive structure which collapsed following success at the Vitality Stadium. Palace let in 18 goals in their remaining eight games, an average of 2.25 per game, and a significant rise from 1.06 goals conceded pg after 30 games.

Still, Hodgson's team had the best defence in the bottom 10, statistically at least, and even conceded four fewer than fourth-placed Chelsea.

However, their return in the attacking third, caused, in part, by Ayew falling off following the restart, prevented a historic season at Selhurst Park.

It didn’t stop the former Swansea City forward being named Player of the Season, owing to his impact in for those 30 games where the Glaziers looked primed for a place in Europe. He netted hugely important strikes and set up a couple for teammates, too, but none were as phenomenal or dramatic as that late winner vs West Ham United on Boxing Day.

That strike was all Ayew’s creation, driving into a congested central area to beat three West Ham players before having the coolness to lob Roberto Jimenez in the Hammers goal. It was surprisingly not a Goal of the Season contender, despite being one of 19/20’s best goals, a snub that questioned the line of reasoning of its selectors!

It came to light that, rather than simply pick the most remarkable finishes over the season, the sponsors opted for a goal from every month of the campaign, and Son’s solo effort vs Burnley in early December (the eventual winner of the award) was preferred to the West African’s strike.

Nevertheless, the striker’s lack of recognition shouldn’t water down his impact in Crystal Palace’s season.

Nearly every goal or assist was crucial for the side from Selhurst Park, evidenced by winning strikes against Aston Villa, West Ham (twice), Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford. Also, the 28-year-old netted the equalizer in both games vs Arsenal and his two assists came against the Hammers and their final day draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

While those finishes won the side 10 points, 23.4 percent of their eventual return, Ayew may have been disappointed by not entering double figures. Consequently, the Ghana star failed to join Chris Armstrong (15 goals), Andrew Johnson (21), Christian Benteke (15), Milivojevic (10, 12) and Wilfried Zaha (10) as the only players to have netted double figures for the Glaziers in the Premier League.

This wasn’t helped by their slump after football’s resumption where they scored three times in eight games. Admittedly, observers pointed out that their tough run-in, which included games vs Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Spurs, meant predictions for a top seven finish were hasty, nevertheless, listless showings at home to Burnley and away at Villa were dispiriting.

Their 3-0 defeat by the Foxes was a let down given Brendan Rodgers’ outfit were on a four-game winless run going into that meeting at the King Power Stadium, and it seemed like Ayew and co. didn’t do quite enough to pile more misery on the East Midlands club.

Still, the Eagles fought courageously in their 3-2 defeat by Frank Lampard’s men as well as the 2-0 loss at the hands of the Red Devils, the latter which saw Ayew’s equalizer chalked off for the most marginal of offsides. That would have been the African attacker’s 10th of the 19/20 season. Ultimately, however, he had to make do with nine

Having been two points below Jose Mourinho’s men, four behind Sheffield United and six adrift of Wolves and Man United after beating Bournemouth, the South London outfit ended 16, 11, 16 and 23 points adrift of the quartet after an unprecedentedly long season.

It was a disappointing ending for Palace, as well as Ayew, but the talismanic role played by the Ghana star at least suggests someone else can take up the mantle if Wilfried Zaha eventually departs this summer.

Antonio Conte insisted he is "not a political person" and admitted that he is not "particularly diplomatic" as the Inter manager tried to draw a line under his criticism of the Nerazzurri board.

Doubts circulated over the future of Conte at San Siro after he delivered a withering assessment of the "little protection" he felt his Inter side received amid question marks over performances of the Serie A team.

That led to speculation Conte's tenure could come to end after just a solitary season, with Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino emerging as reported targets to take over.

Conte later preached unity, though, and has engineered Inter's route to the Europa League final, which included a 5-0 battering of Shakhtar Donetsk in the last four on Monday.

Inter president Steven Zhang flew into Germany to be with the Serie A runners-up and Conte was asked if the situation has now been resolved.

"I don't feel like going back over certain situations. I felt some things at the time and felt the need to say it," he told Sky Sport Italia. 

"What I say is always aimed at being constructive. The media likes to emphasise some situations more than others, but at the same time, I know we have to go through certain steps to become what Inter want to be in future.

"I am not a political person. I stick to facts and action, not being particularly diplomatic, but I try to be constructive and not to offend anyone."

Inter face Sevilla in Friday's final in Cologne as they aim to win a first trophy since 2011.

Conte expressed his delight after the Nerazzurri's semi-final triumph, while also discussing the challenge the La Liga giants will pose his side in the showpiece event.

"It's satisfying for everyone. The most important thing for me is that many lads are playing this type of game for the first time," said the Italian head coach.

"They are gaining experience at an important level in a tournament that Italy have not been protagonists in for a long time.

"Sevilla have a great deal of experience, I think they won it four times in the last six or seven years. However, we have enthusiasm, hunger and the desire to amaze people.

"Now we need to rest, recuperate and try to give some joy to the Inter fans, who I think will be proud of these lads, because they are giving their heart and soul.

"As I always said, we have to leave the field with no regrets. We must know that we've given our all, done everything we possibly could, so if we do lose, it's because the opponents were better."

Real Madrid wonderkid Reinier is set to complete a season-long loan move to Borussia Dortmund.

Goal has learned that an agreement has been reached between the two clubs which will see the 18-year-old spend the 2020-21 campaign at Westfalenstadion.

Dortmund will have the option to extend the loan by an extra year, but no purchase clause has been included in the final deal.

BVB boss Lucien Favre confirmed that Reinier's arrival was imminent after watching his side beat Austria Wien in a pre-season friendly on Sunday.

“We want to loan him. It’s in the pipeline. From what I’ve seen, he’s very good offensively and a very, very good finisher," said Favre.

Madrid forked out €35 million (£30m/$39m) to bring the midfielder to Santiago Bernabeu from Flamengo in January.

He committed his future to the Spanish champions through to 2026, but La Liga's registration rules prevented him from joining up with Zinedine Zidane's first team.

Reinier has had to make do with a role in Madrid's Castilla set-up due to the fact only three non-EU players are allowed in the senior squad, with Vinicius, Rodrygo and Eder Militao currently filling those spots.

Madrid are hoping that the talented teenager can get plenty of minutes under his belt at Dortmund, who have carved out a sterling reputation for their development of younger players in recent years.

The likes of Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland, Giovanni Reyna and Jude Bellingham have all been given a platform to further their careers by the Bundesliga giants, and ex-Madrid loanee Achraf Hakimi was one of their top performers last term.

Bellingham became Dortmund's second signing of the summer when he joined the club from Birmingham City in July, with former Paris Saint-Germain full-back Thomas Meunier arriving on a free transfer earlier in the month.

Confirmation of Reinier's loan switch could reignite speculation over Sancho's future with Dortmund, as Manchester United continue to try and lure the England international to Old Trafford.

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has publicly stated that the 20-year-old will stay put for at least another season, but the Red Devils are still optimistic of finalising a transfer before the window closes.

Manchester City need to continue backing Pep Guardiola in the transfer market and add another “three exceptional” signings to their ranks, says Xavi.

The Barcelona legend is keeping a close eye on events at the Etihad Stadium.

Having previously worked under Guardiola at Camp Nou, the World Cup winner is eager to see his former boss deliver more domestic and continental success in a distinguished coaching career.

City ended the 2019-20 campaign with just a Carabao Cup success to show for their efforts, with the Premier League title snatched away by Liverpool, the FA Cup going to Arsenal and a disappointing quarter-final exit from the Champions League suffered at the hands of Lyon.

Guardiola has already started the process of bolstering the Blues for challenges on multiple fronts next term.

Deals have been tied up for Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake, with the promise of more to come.

Xavi feels City need to be adding world-class talent to their ranks in order to compete for the biggest prizes on offer, with the English heavyweights having been cleared to spend after seeing a two-year ban for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations dropped on appeal.

“To not win one of the Premier League or Champions League will be a big disappointment for Pep - those are the two he would have wanted,” Xavi told the Daily Star of goings on at City.

“The Champions League even more so because Manchester City have never won it. They have some very good players, of course they do, but Pep needs to be supported in the transfer market this summer.

“It is not that they need many players - just three exceptional ones. We know that will not come cheap, but I would like to see Pep given the money to rebuild.”

City are hoping that the arrival of Ake will help them to fill the void created by Vincent Kompany’s departure in the summer of 2019.

Guardiola opted against bringing in another centre-half when the iconic Belgian departed, but has been forced to accept that cover is required.

He has also seen David Silva leave the Etihad this summer, after a 10-year spell in Manchester, while Sergio Aguero – City’s all-time leading goalscorer – is now 32 years of age and will need to be replaced at some stage in the near future after entering the final 12 months of his contract.

“They have got to the stage that you see at all big clubs, where some very important players are coming to the end of their careers,” added Xavi.

“Kompany was one of the best central defenders in the world and there are maybe one or two defenders in the world that can replace him at his peak.

“For Silva it is the same. He is a once-in-a-generation player and it is going to cost big money to try and replace him. Aguero has one season left. How many strikers in Europe are there that will guarantee you 30 goals a season like he has for so long?”

Romelu Lukaku is a "different animal" at Inter, according to Paul Ince, who says the Belgian striker wasn't "happy" at Manchester United.

Lukaku's two-year stint at Old Trafford came to an end when he completed a £74 million ($97m) move to Inter in August 2019.

Despite the fact that the 27-year-old scored a respectable 42 goals in 96 appearances for the Red Devils, he was subjected to fierce criticism throughout his time in Manchester.

Questions were asked over his fitness levels and technical ability, with doubts also raised over his commitment to United's cause under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, Lukaku has enjoyed a huge upturn in form and confidence since arriving at San Siro, scoring 33 goals across all competitions in his debut campaign for the Nerazzurri.

The Belgium international's latest double helped Antonio Conte's men beat Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Monday, and Ince was beaming in his assessment of the in-form forward after the match.

The ex-United midfielder told BT Sport of how Lukaku has turned his career around in Italy: "Lukaku didn’t struggle [to score at United], he scored goals, let’s get that right.

"He wasn’t happy under Mourinho. Sometimes you find the right person, the right country. If you’re happy you will perform."

Ince added on Lukaku's overall performance against Shakhtar: "He looked fit and lean. Talking about when he was at Manchester United, he didn’t look like he could get around the park.

"He’s just running past people [now]. Pace! I was fitter at Inter – whether it’s the climate or the food.

"He looks like a different animal. We know he can finish. Wow."

Owen Hargreaves, another former United midfielder, agreed with Ince's comments on Lukaku, expressing his belief that the Inter frontman was weighed down by unfair expectations at the Theatre of Dreams.

"I think he got a raw deal at Manchester United," Hargreaves said. "I think he felt there was a lot of pressure on him.

"He felt he had a point to prove all the time. He almost played like he was carrying that burden.

"Now he looks like he’s in a place where he’s really confident. I think he deserved a little bit better.

"We never questioned his finishing, but at 27 he looks the perfect age. It just shows you, you need to find the right fit for you.

"For whatever reason, it wasn’t there [at Manchester United]."

Former Harambee Stars forward Innocent Mutiso will be in the race for Football Kenya Federation (FKF) as a running partner to journalist Boniface Osano.

The latter is vying for the presidency of the Federation, and the former Gor Mahia winger has opted to form a coalition with him. 

"For far too long, former footballers have been at the back seat of football politics," Mutiso said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"We have been branded complainers without really doing anything about it. I have drawn inspiration from one Sammy Shollei who against all odds won the deputy president of the FKF back in 2011. After various consultations, I have decided to make the first step and hope more x-footballers will follow suit into football politics."

The 33-year-old is saddened by the state of football in the country especially on youth and women and has promised to focus on improving the same if given a chance to lead the game in the country.

"I have been a servant of football in my playing career and also in my retirement and it pains me that youth football and women football have come as a second thought to the federation," Mutiso continued.

"I plan to change that if given the opportunity to serve as the deputy president of FKF. I plan to work with the primary soccer schools association and the secondary schools' associations as they play a vital role in grooming the upcoming footballers into being responsible men in society. 

"The director of football should work hand in hand with these institutions and academies so that we have an identity; currently we have none."

The youthful administrator has also hit out at the tendency of taking football battles to court regularly saying he is keen on ensuring it does not continue if he gets the chance to head the game in the country.

"Since I started playing football at the highest level, it has always been played in courts one way or the other and it's time we took football back to the pitch.

"Players and fans alike are tired of all the endless court battles from selfish unscrupulous people who have no football in their hearts.  

"We want a fair playing field in the upcoming elections after it was cancelled twice, the electoral code should be all-inclusive to allow for a level playing field."

Maxwel Cornet’s strike in Olympique Lyon’s 3-1 Champions League quarter-final win against Manchester City has been awarded as the Goal of the Week.

The Ivorian winger got the ball rolling in Lisbon, with a deftly-executed shot that gave Ederson no chance of catching after Cornet latched on to Karl Toko Ekambi’s cutback.

Though Kevin de Bruyne equalised for the Citizens, a brace off the bench from Franco-Malian forward Moussa Dembele late on delivered the most unexpected of results.

Cornet’s effort beat Luis Suarez’s goal against in the Barcelona vs Bayern Munich tie which ended 8-2, Joshua Kimmich’s strike in the same game also featuring while Cameroon and former Stoke City forward made the cut for his winner in PSG’s 2-1 comeback triumph over debutants Atalanta.

Cornet speaking to uefa.com admitted the oneness of the Lyon squad made it possible for them to upset the Citizens.

“The match could have gone a different way. In [the same] minute, Raheem Sterling missed an open goal and Moussa [Dembele] scored his second, the team’s third,” he said.

“But you also have to make your own luck. We did everything in that match. We played as one. We played until the very end and didn't take our foot off the gas. We were chasing a semi-final.”

Lyon will take on Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s semi-final and Cornet expects the French side to not to take lightly the team that put eight goals past Barcelona.

“We didn’t expect [them to beat Barcelona 8-2]; we didn’t expect it because it's the great Barca we're talking about here. Their performance against Barca proved that Bayern remain an excellent team and one that mustn't be taken lightly,” Cornet continued.

“We've knocked out some really big teams, the likes of Juventus and Manchester City. That shows we're every bit as good as those teams. We mustn't get carried away, we have to keep our feet on the ground and continue to work hard. The most important thing is to focus on ourselves.”

Lyon have a genuine shot at reaching their first-ever Champions League final and Cornet says the crop of young players in the squad are simply living the dream as it comes.

“As a young player, it’s difficult not to think about it because I took up this profession to experience moments like these and, as the saying goes, you've got to make your dreams come true,” he said.

“That’s exactly what we're doing at the moment with an incredible group of young players who are living this dream. It's fantastic. We're making the most of the moment. We're going to give our all out there again and, of course, we’re still hungry.”

Los Angeles FC have announced the signing of teenage Senegalese defender Mohamed Traore, using the top spot in the Major League Soccer Waiver Order.

The 18-year-old joins the Black and Gold from Soccer Institute of Montverde Academy based in Orlando, Florida.

Born in Senegal’s capital city Dakar, Traore arrived at Montverde at 14-year-old. As a senior member of his team in 2019, he registered got seven assists to help Montverde Academy to an impressive record of 21 wins, four draws and one defeat.

He was part of Senegal’s U17 squad of 2019, albeit, he could did not make Malick Daf’s squad to the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations staged in Tanzania.

There, the west African nation failed to get out of Group B that paraded Guinea, Morocco and eventual winners Cameroon.

Los Angeles executive VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager John Thorrington lauded the abilities of the teenager and believes he would grow under Bob Bradley at Banc of California Stadium.

“Mohamed is an exciting, young player with a lot of potential,” said Thorrington as reported by LAFC website.

“We believe getting him in our environment will help him continue to grow and develop and prepare him for success at this level.”

Following his addition to the Black and Gold’s fold, he becomes the third African in Bradley’s squad after Ghana's Latif Blessing and Libya's Mohamed El Monir.

Los Angeles crashed out of the 2020 MLS is Back championship after bowing 4-1 to Orlando City in the quarter-final on penalties after a 1-1 draw after full time.

They return to regular season play on Saturday, August 22 against LA Galaxy.

Victor Moses labelled Inter Milan’s decimation of Shakhtar Donetsk a "job done" as Antonio Conte’s men book their place in the Europa League final.

Fuelled by a brace from Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku, the Italian topflight side stunned the Ukrainian giants 5-0 on Monday night in Dusseldorf.

Martinez's first Europa League goal of the season got Conte’s team off the mark in the 19th minute – heading home a pinpoint cross from Nicolo Barella past goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

Allowed a free run from Marcelo Brozovic's corner, Danilo D'Ambrosio leapt highest to plant a firm header beyond Pyatov, who conceded his third of the evening as Martinez completed his brace 10 minutes later.

Lukaku completed the rout with a late brace – his 16th Europa League goal in 10 appearances – as Inter now move closer to winning their first trophy since 2011.

Chelsea loanee Moses was brought in for D'Ambrosio with nine minutes left to play, albeit, he had little to do as his team had confirmed their place in the grand finale.

Delighted by his side’s latest achievement, the 29-year-old took to social media and revelled in Inter Milan’s biggest margin of victory ever in a single Uefa Cup/Europa League semi-final game.

“Job done. Into the final!,” Moses tweeted.

Moses and his team face Sevilla on Friday in Cologne in what promises to be a closely fought final.

The former Nigeria international completed a loan move to the San Siro outfit from Premier League side Chelsea with an option to buy on Thursday, after his 18-month loan at Fernabache was cut short.

He made his bow for the Italians in this season’s competition when they took on Ludogorets Razgrad in the Round of 32.

Inter will face Sevilla in the Europa League final as doubles from Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku helped dispatch Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in Dusseldorf.

Five-time winners Sevilla came from behind to beat Manchester United on Sunday, and Antonio Conte's side joined them in the final with a rampant victory – Martinez and Lukaku the stars.

Martinez's first Europa League goal of the season got Inter off the mark, and he had his second with 16 minutes left after Danilo D'Ambrosio had doubled the Nerazzurri's lead.

Inter were not done there, though, with Martinez brilliantly teeing up Lukaku, who subsequently helped himself to a second with a terrific turn, run and finish late on as the Serie A runners up made it into their first European final since 2010.

Martinez's opener came after 19 minutes – Andriy Pyatov slicing a clearance straight to Nicolo Barella, who delivered a pinpoint cross from which Inter's forward headed home.

It should have been 2-0 before the half-hour, but neither Lukaku or Barella were able to tuck in from point-blank range.

Barella would have made up for the miss soon after, had Pyatov not kept out the midfielder's dipping effort.

Martinez nearly caught Pyatov off his line early in the second half, with the goalkeeper just managing to recover, before Lukaku sent a low effort wide.

Junior Moraes should have done better with a header he directed straight at Samir Handanovic just after the hour and Inter swiftly made their fortune count.

Afforded a free run from Marcelo Brozovic's corner, D'Ambrosio leapt highest to plant a firm header beyond Pyatov, who was beaten again when Martinez slotted in his second 10 minutes later.

Martinez then turned provider to cap off a supreme display – Lukaku coolly curling home from inside the area.

Lukaku had his 16th Europa League goal in 10 appearances soon after, adding further gloss to a win that takes Inter to the verge of winning their first trophy since 2011.

What does it mean? Inter back where they belong

It has been far too long since a club of Inter's stature made a European final – indeed, they won the last one they were involved in a decade ago.

Now, Conte and his side have the chance to put that right, though they have Europa League specialists Sevilla in their path.

Martinez steps out of Lukaku's shadow

It has been a fantastic season for Martinez, but since the resumption of the season it has been his strike partner Lukaku who has taken the limelight.

But, coming into form just in time for the final, Martinez went from supporting act to main man with two fantastic goals and a superb assist for Lukaku, who of course still got himself on the scoresheet.

Pyatov error gifts Inter

Inter had not really managed a meaningful attack prior to Pyatov's mistake, but Barella and Martinez made sure to make Shakhtar's goalkeeper pay as his dreadful pass ultimately cost the Ukrainian side, and it got no better as he went on to pick the ball out of his net on a further four occasions.

Key Opta Facts

Inter's 5-0 win was the biggest margin of victory ever in a single UEFA Cup/Europa League semi-final game.

Inter have won five consecutive matches in major European competition (excluding qualifiers) for the first time since April 2010 (a run of six starting in December 2009 on their way to the UEFA Champions League final).

D'Ambrosio has scored three goals in his last five games for Inter Milan in all competitions, as many as he had netted in his previous 58 appearances.

Lukaku is the first player in UEFA Cup/Europa League history to score in 10 consecutive matches via a run stretching back to November 2014 with Everton.

What's next?

Sevilla await Inter on Friday in Cologne in what promises to be a closely fought final, though with Martinez and Lukaku in such form, the Serie A club should be considered favourites.