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East Malaysian side Sabah have been promoted to the Super League side this season, but when they were in the second tier, a big name had unexpectedly turned up for them at one point.

In November 2014, the Rhinos shocked many when they signed former Senegal and World Cup star El-Hadji Diouf. Although this stint would end on an acrimonious note not long after, one current Sabah player only remembers the African star fondly.

Midfielder Azzizan Nordin recalled Diouf as a kind and helpful senior player, in an interview with the Malaysian Football League (MFL).

Azzizan Nordin. Photo from Sabah

"The boys and I thought it was a joke at first; but we couldn't believe our eyes when we finally saw him in training.

"Diouf was amazing in every way; especially his ball receiving and delivery. The way he was able to keep possession was special and world class, because he had played in the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

"He once taught me that as a midfielder, I should scan for my teammates' positions to know my options before receiving the ball, and not after. It wasn't just me; the other younger Sabah players also received tips from him, and he was generous with his advice," said the 26-year old Malaysia international.

The Senegalese forward arrived in Kota Kinabalu ahead of the 2015 season, towards the end of his storied career which involved achieving instant fame in the 2002 World Cup.

Demba Ba’s Istanbul Basaksehir have been knocked out of the Europa League following Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to FC Copenhagen at the Telia Parken.

A brace from towering striker Jonas Wind and a third by winger Rasmus Falk sent the Danish outfit through to the quarter-final.

Okan Buruk’s side went into the Round of 16 second leg clash on the back of a slim 1-0 advantage but it was canceled out by Wind’s fourth minute strike. The Denmark youth international headed past goalkeeper Mert Gunok a cross from Guillermo Varela.

He completed his brace in the 53rd-minute from the penalty spot after Mehmet Topal had handled the ball in the goal area.

Needing just a goal to scale through, the Turks threw more men forward but the hosts kept their heads cool to thwarts Basaksehir’s attacking threats.

However, Falk killed the visitors’ ambition of launching a comeback with a brilliant individual effort in the 62nd minute, beating Gunok with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after a scooting run through the middle.

Former Senegal international Ba was in action from start to finish but was unable to rescue the Fatih Terim Stadium giants from crashing out.

For his contribution, the 35-year-old who represented Chelsea, West Ham United and Newcastle United recorded two shots, 26 passes with a passing accuracy of 80.8%.

"I am very happy on behalf of the players, it is a historic achievement to be in the quarterfinals of the European team for a Nordic team," manager Staale Solbakken told media after the game.

"A quarter-final weighs very, very high for me in FCK history, but it's just a shame that no one else has been allowed to take part in it live. It might just take the last euphoria.

"It hurts to think how 30,000 fans in the stands would have felt when we drove the ball around the rows in the final minutes. It's a shame for the fans, but also for the boys, that they didn't get the tribute and celebration they deserved.

"But I'm very happy that the match developed in such a way that we were not put under pressure in the end. It's an absolutely fantastic performance by the team today."

Copenhagen are now through to the championship’s last eight on a 3-1 aggregate scoreline and will now take on Premier League outfit Manchester United who eliminated Austrian outfit LASK 7-1 on aggregate - for a chance to reach the semi-final.

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro admits he still gets nervous talking to manager Zinedine Zidane. 

The 28-year-old joined Los Blancos in 2013 and has established himself as a crucial part of Zidane's starting side in recent seasons. 

Having grown up watching Zizou in action, Casemiro revealed he still gets taken back when chatting to the football legend. 

Despite those lingering nerves, the duo have struck up a strong relationship, with Zidane constantly pushing Casemiro to evolve as a midfielder. 

“Even today I get a little nervous talking to him,” Casemiro told The Guardian. “I tell him he doesn’t know what he meant for us, for me.

“Yeah, I tell him that: you took ‘98 [World Cup] away but it didn’t change anything. Also, knowing him now, I can say he deserves it. He’s incredible: the humility, how he expresses football. He treats us with so much affection and love.

"He’s very insistent; he always, always says: ‘Case, you can do more: arrive from the second line, feed midfielders, bring the ball out cleanly.’

"This year, maybe I’ve had more protagonism with the ball, but I still know my job: rob the ball, give it to my team-mates. But Zizou is pesado, heavy going: always talking to me, wanting more.

"He says: ‘I’m not asking you to do something you can’t do; I’m asking you to do something you can.’ He trusts me a lot.”

Casemiro, who has backed Real Madrid to upset Manchester City in the Champions League, appears to have the attributes of a future manager himself and takes the analysis of matches very seriously - much to his wife's annoyance. 

“I watch back, see the errors, evaluate. I love that. People say I think like a coach," he said.

"I always try to read the game, the other team’s mind, their coach, what they’re trying to do. Often the smallest details – a metre either way – change everything.

"I have [football analytics platform] Wyscout and watch everything, from China or anywhere. My wife gets annoyed. It’s my work. There’s a time for everything but it’s my job. And I love it. My life is football. I have to think permanently about football."

Harambee Starlets playmaker Cynthia Shilwatso has signed a three-year deal with Spanish top-flight side EDF Logrono.

The Starlet joins the European team from the Kenyan Women Premier League (KWPL) heavyweights Vihiga Queens.

Shilwatso’s move to Europe is one of the latest of a Starlets player since they won a regional trophy last year.

The forward had agreed to sign with the Spanish side earlier but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not possible for her to link up with her new teammates.

“It has been a long wait since January and with the pandemic stalling everything, the anxiety was really getting to me,” Shilwatso is quoted by Nations Sports as saying of the move.

“But I'm happy now and my only objective now is to focus on doing my best and understanding myself as a professional on an international stage.”

Shilwatso, in an earlier interview, had welcomed her expected move then, which she said was opening a rare door for Kenyan stars.

“The chance to play in Europe doesn't happen often especially to a Kenyan player like me,” she said.

Former Vihiga United coach Alex Alumirah revealed excitement following Shilwatso’s move.

“As a coach, I always strive to do my part effectively, but the success of any player is highly dependent on themselves,” Alumirah said.

“We engage in lots of one on one discussions with them to know how best they can be helped to succeed. And honestly, that's what makes players from Vihiga Queens outstanding.

“There is no better satisfaction than seeing players that I have taught, mentored and grown with, showcase their skills to the outside world.”

Shilwatso’s teammate Elizabeth Katungwa joined IF Dalhem of Sweden a few days ago and it meant she linked up with compatriots Christine Nafula and Mary Kinuthia in the team.

Other Harambee Starlets who have already secured themselves new teams include Corazon Aquino, who joined Atletico Ourense of Portugal, Esse Akida who is currently turning out for Besiktas in Turkey and Annette Kundu, who recently signed for Lakatamia FC in Cyprus

Shilwatso made her Kenya debut at senior level during the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualification.

The Cecafa Senior Women's Challenge Cup success in Tanzania in 2019 propelled Shilwatso and her teammates to the international limelight as they lifted their maiden title.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has conceded that he is “not brave enough” to declare his side ready for the resumption of football in South Africa, as he announced goalkeeper Denis Onyango as the latest addition to his team’s injury list.

The Brazilians will mark their return to action against Bidvest Wits in a Nedbank Cup semi-final match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

But Onyango has been confirmed as having picked up an injury, together with Venezuelan forward Jose Ali Meza and Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento, to add to a list of players with fitness concerns.

“We have Ali Meza injured, the next two days will give us a chance to see if he is available. Dennis has a niggling injury also,” Mosimane told SuperSport.com.

The Downs tactician also confirmed that defender Anele Ngcongca is not training and will miss Saturday’s match, together with Keletso Makgalwa and forward Mauricio Affonso, who is still recovering while in his home country Uruguay.

Thapelo Morena is now involved in full training but Mosimane says he does not want to risk the utility player by rushing him back to action.

Apart from the Nedbank Cup, Sundowns also have nine Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches awaiting them and could be involved in a total of 11 games within a month before completing their season.

Mosimane and his charges have previously faced a similar scenario while participating in the more taxing Caf Champions League.

“There should never be a challenge with the number of games, I hear people saying, ‘no. but you are used to playing so many games in a short space of time’. And that is right, but we usually play with a base of three and a half months of playing regularly,” continued Mosimane.

“Now we don’t have that, so let’s see what happens with injuries and whether the body is ready. We have to manage the players.”

The return of football comes after five months since action was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have never had anything like this before in our lifetime, so it is a strange position for football. Because nobody has been in this space before, we don’t really know how we will deal with the issues. So for me to tell you, ‘we are ready, we know what to do, we know how we will handle this’. I am not brave enough to say that,” he added.

"There is no team spirit in the camp because we are eating over a period of two hours, most separately. This one pops in, then the other one goes out. Sometimes you are in the dining room alone. Where are your colleagues that you always eat with?”

On the league front, second-placed Sundowns are four points behind, having played a game fewer than leaders Kaizer Chiefs, whom they meet later after resuming their title bid against Orlando Pirates.

Former Fulham defender John Paintsil has exclaimed the Championship was not the level for the Cottagers after their extra-time promotion play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley on Tuesday.

Scott Parker’s charges finished the regular season in fourth place with 81 points, the same as the Bees in third but with an inferior goal difference. They were just two points shy of automatic promotion.

They saw off Cardiff City in the playoff semis 3-2 on aggregate with DR Congo international Neeskens Kebano scoring in both legs, as well as Anglo-Nigerian Joshua Onomah in the first.

It marks an immediate return to the Premier League for Fulham after they were relegated during the 2018-19 season, finishing 19th, 10 points away from safety.

“The players played well and I was delighted with how they were able to hold the lead until the final whistle. This qualification means a lot to the whole community and London”, Paintsil told Happy FM.

“Fulham is not a team that is supposed to be in the Championship, their level is the Premier League considering the laurels and achievements the club has.”

Paintsil went on to commend Parker, who played for the Cottagers between 2013 and 2017, citing his experience in the top-flight as crucial to leading the club.

“The club must get an experienced coach like Roy Hodgson but Scott Parker has played in the Premier League and so he will have the experience to guide the team in the Premier League”, he added.

Paintsil was on the books of Fulham between 2008 and 2011, playing more than 80 times, one of which included a run to the 2010 Europa League final where they lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid after extra-time.

The 39-year-old Ghanaian also had stints with Leicester City and West Ham United. He spent time in Israel as well with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, winning the Israeli Premier League with the former in 2003 and the Israel State Cup in 2006 with the latter.

Paintsil’s career winded down in South Africa with Santos and finally Maritzburg United in 2016. He was briefly assistant coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2016/2017 season.

Lionel Messi will retire as a Barcelona player in "three or four years", according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has a contract at Camp Nou until the end of the 2020-21 season, but Bartomeu last month said he expects the superstar forward to sign an extension.

The 33-year-old has been linked with a return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys before hanging up his boots.

However, Bartomeu has no doubt Barca's all-time leading goalscorer will end his career with the Catalan giants, which could happen by 2023.

"It's not just me who says it. Messi says it himself, that he wants to finish his professional playing career at Barcelona and it's the only club for him," Bartomeu told beIN SPORTS.

"I don't have any doubt that when he finishes his football career in three or four years that it will be here in Barcelona.

"Messi has it very clear. He's been here since he was a kid. He knows the colours and he's a part of the club's history.

"He's the best player in the world. Not just right now, but in the history of the game. He's at Barcelona and has made clear he wants to stay here."

Another priority for Bartomeu is tying goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen down to a new contract, as his existing deal has just two years left.

"Marc is an excellent player and person, he has always shown that as a goalkeeper," said Bartomeu.

"With the current situation with Covid-19, [Ter Stegen] said, 'Let's hope everything is calmer to talk about it in the future.' But his future is to renew with Barca.

"We have a goalkeeper for many years because he is young. When everything passes, we will talk with Marc to finalise his renewal."

Despite having yet to play a game for Barca, Francisco Trincao and Pedri have been linked with exits from Camp Nou.

Trincao is reportedly a target for Leicester City, while Bayern Munich are said to have an interest in Pedri.

But Bartomeu has no plans to sell either player as Barca prepare for the future with a new generation of talent.

"Trincao and Pedri are not for sale," he said. "Young players are coming who will be the stars in a few years."

SuperSport United head coach Kaitano Tembo has explained why the club extended Bongani Khumalo's stay at the three-time PSL champions.

The 33-year-old defender was recently handed a new one-year deal by Matsatsantsa after his previous contract expired at the end of June 2020.

This came as a surprise as Khumalo has seen limited game time this season having featured in only eight matches in the PSL.

Tembo explained that the former Bafana Bafana captain's contribution goes beyond making appearances on match days, with the current season set to resume this weekend. 

“We have got a really young team and I know for a fact that Bongani is a true professional," Tembo told The Citizen.

"He is someone who played in Europe, someone who looks after himself and he is exemplary to the youngsters. He has leadership qualities, he was Bafana Bafana captain."

Clayton Daniels, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Luke Fleurs are all preferred ahead of Khumalo, who has started two league matches for the Tshwane giants, while the other six appearances came as a substitute. 

Khumalo is a former Tottenham Hotspur and Preston North End defender and he is an accomplished player having won four PSL titles and also played for Bafana at the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals.

Tembo stressed the importance of having an experienced player like Khumalo in the team as he motivates and guides the youngsters.

“He will play a huge role in that regard and whenever he is called upon to take to the field he does really well and his experience shows," he added.

"When he plays, he always motivates the players around him and when he is not playing, he does the same thing from the bench and at training.

"So, he really does have an important role in our setup and that is why we decided to extend his contract." 

The current season, which was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, will be completed in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

SuperSport will resume their league campaign against Bloemfontein Celtic at Bidvest Stadium in Braamfontein, Johannesburg next week Sunday.

Matsatsantsa were drawn to play their remaining home league matches at Bidvest Stadium.

Ajax Amsterdam coach Erik ten Hag believes new Ghanaian signing Mohammed Kudus will need time to adjust to life at the Eredivisie outfit.

Last month, the 20-year-old Ghana international joined the Dutch giants on a five-year deal from Danish outfit Nordsjaelland.

He followed Ajax's earlier Brazilian acquisition Antony, who was signed from Sao Paulo.

“Kudus is a multifunctional player, with many European top clubs behind him," ten Hag said, as reported by NL.

"He is versatile, has also played in many different positions in Denmark - as a striker, behind the striker, as a midfielder [or] on the flanks.

“He has a similar potential to what we saw in [new signing] Antony, with the important difference that he has been in Europe for some time. He also speaks fluent English.

"In terms of adjustment, he has a head start, but in both cases, it remains to be seen how much adjustment time they need."

Last season, Kudus was on the score sheet 11 times for Nordsjaelland in the Danish Super Liga before making his move to Ajax.

It was just his second season in European football after a transfer to the Wild Tigers from Ghanaian side Right to Dream Academy. He scored three goals in 26 matches in his first campaign.

"[Kudus was] one of the best talents in Denmark. He is a boy with so much quality," former Ajax scout John Steen Olsen told De Telegraaf.

“Technically very good, and very fast. I have often seen him at work with Henk Veldmate [chief scout of Ajax]. He is also very enthusiastic.

“Kudus can play in all positions in midfield anyway, but in the front, he can also play in the striker or on the right. That makes him so interesting. He looks a bit like a young Clarence Seedorf, although I don’t like comparing players with other players. Kudus is ultimately just Kudus.

“These kinds of amounts are normal nowadays. There was also a lot of interest in Kudus.”

Kudus, who scored on his international debut for Ghana last October, was linked to Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan ahead of his move to Ajax. 

Rhoda Mulaudzi and Lebohang Ramalepe made their debuts for Dinamo-BSUPC as Salimata Simpore's brace ensured a 7-2 semi-final victory over Bobruichanka despite Macklins Chinonaire's effort.

Mulaudzi and Ramalepe joined Dinamo from South African sides Polokwane FC and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies on Friday and were handed their first appearances against Bobruichanka on Wednesday.

Following up on her strike in Dinamo's 5-1 first-leg win, Simpore continued from where she left off as she hit a double to seal Yuri Ivanovich's team a place in the final with a 12-3 aggregate win.

On the other hand, Nigeria striker Chinonaire, who grabbed the consolation in Bobruichanka's first-leg defeat at Dinamo, found the net once again but could not help them to upset their foes.

Despite holding a four-goal first-leg lead, the hosts maintained their verve as Anastasia Shlapakova set up Anastasia Shuppo to hand them an early lead after just six minutes in the encounter.

Yuliya Slesarchik played a fine pass through to Simpore for the latter to find the net, doubling the lead for Dinamo four minutes later but Buzinova Elena pulled one back for Bobruichanka in the 14th minute.

Two minutes from the half-time break, opening goalscorer Shuppo teed up the Burkinabe star to grab her brace and third for Dinamo.

A minute after the restart, Anastasia Popova netted the fourth for the hosts before Anastasiya Linnik scored the fifth in the 61st minute.

Linnk went on to assist Darya Stezhko for the sixth seven minutes later before Karina Olkhovik's goal off Popova's pass wrapped up the huge back-to-back wins despite Chinonaire's late strike for the visitors.

Simpore, who was in action for 56 minutes of the match, has now scored seven goals in four games of the competition, and 17 goals in 11 appearances for Dinamo this season.

Debutant Banyana defender Ramalepe lasted the duration as compatriot Mulaudzi replaced Simpore in the 56th minute, while Claudia Dabda featured for the first 45 minutes of the match.

On the other hand, Nigeria's Chinonaire featured from the start to the finish for Bobruichanka but could not save them from defeat.

The victory at Dynama-Juni Stadium means Dinamo have won all 16 matches in all competitions this season and will face holders Minsk, who edged Neman 2-0 on aggregate, in the final. 

They will seek to continue the run against Neman in their next league outing on Saturday, while Bobruichanka will aim to bounce back from their semi-final elimination at Zorka-BDU two days later. 

Neeskens Kebano has extended his contract with Fulham until the end of the 2020-21 season with the option of extending it for a further year.

The DR Congo international enjoyed a rich vein of form lately which saw him play a crucial role towards the Cottagers returning back to the Premier League.

He started off by scoring a brace and providing an assist in the penultimate game of the regular season against Sheffield Wednesday which ended 5-3. He then netted in the 1-1 draw in the final game away to Wigan Athletic.

During the first leg of play-off semis against Cardiff City, Kebano scored a wonderful freekick after Anglo-Nigerian Josh Onomah had opened proceedings, the game ending 2-0. In the return leg, the Cottagers lost 2-1 with Kebano netting again which was more than enough to progress to the final where they met Brentford and overcame them 2-1 extra-time thanks to a Joe Bryan brace.

Kebano was part of the Fulham team that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2018, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the playoff final.

“First of all, I’d like to thank the Club for giving me this opportunity to extend my contract,” Kebano said on the club website.

“It has been a long journey since we started the season, we have been playing for over a year. We’ve been working very hard which has paid off with promotion to the Premier League.

“I’m delighted for the team, the staff and the supporters, we’ve remained together which has brought us to where we are now. I have a lot of affection for this club, for the fans, so it’s natural this decision to sign a contract when this opportunity was offered to me, and I’m very happy to be here for a couple of more seasons.”

Fulham co-owner Tony Khan also expressed his delight at Kebano’s contract extension. The 28-year-old Congolese joined the west London club in 2016 from Genk and has played 89 times in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing eight assists.

“I’m so glad to announce that Fulham FC has agreed a contract extension with Neeskens Kebano,” Khan said.

“Neeskens has been at Fulham for four seasons, joining the Club in my first season as Director of Football, and he’s made great contributions for Fulham in two Premier League promotions, particularly during our great run since the restart these past several weeks, scoring five in four matches including a wonderful pair of goals in the play-off semi-final, one in each leg, to help the Club reach the Final again, where he started yesterday in our incredible win at Wembley!

“Congratulations to Neeskens, I’m so happy for him, and all of us at the Club are so grateful for his contributions to our return to the Premier League!”

Odion Ighalo’s incredible goal scoring run finally came to an end on Wednesday against LASK, which meant the Nigerian striker could not topple a Manchester United record that has stood for 95 years.

The former Watford man had scored in each of his first four competitive starts for the Old Trafford giants, a record set by Jimmy Hanson.

Hanson achieved the feat in 1925 when he scored in consecutive starts against Hull City, Blackpool, Derby County and Aston Villa, albeit, he was forced to retire following a serious injury five years later.

Ighalo was presented with a chance to eclipse the Englishman’s record having been handed a starter’s place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad in Wednesday’s Europa League Round of 16 clash, however, he could not find the net against Valerien Ismael's men who bowed 2-1 despite taking the lead through Philipp Wiesinger.

Despite seeing every minute of action - where he accounted for just one shot on target, four dribbles and 16 passes – the 31-year-old was unable to put the ball behind goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

The former Watford man began his scoring run with a goal in United’s 5-0 victory over Club Brugge in February, before scoring twice against Derby County in the FA Cup in early March.

On his third start for Solskjaer’s team, against LASK Linz in the Europa League, he scored and contributed an assist in a 5-0 victory, before opening the scoring against Norwich in a FA Cup quarter-final tie.

Notwithstanding his immense scoring record in matches in which he’s started for Manchester United - all of which have been in cup competitions - Ighalo is yet to score in the Premier League for the Red Devils.

Following his loan move to the English side on transfer deadline day from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner became an instant hit scoring four goals in his opening seven games to become the toast of the club’s fans – which earned him a contract loan extension with the Old Trafford outfit until January 2021.

United will now prepare for the meeting with Istanbul Basaksehir-slaying Copenhagen in Germany on August 10. As for LASK, they have three friendlies scheduled before their 2020-21 season starts in the domestic cup against Siegendorf on August 27.

Manchester United eased into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 7-1 aggregate defeat of LASK following Wednesday's 2-1 win in the last-16 second leg. 

Jesse Lingard cancelled out a spectacular opening goal from Philipp Wiesinger at Old Trafford before substitute Anthony Martial sealed the win with two minutes of normal time left. 

The first-leg thrashing in Austria, United's last game before the coronavirus pandemic halted the season, set the Red Devils up for a relatively comfortable return game against a side whose domestic season finished a month ago. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made nine changes from the team that ended the Premier League season with a 2-0 win at Leicester City, leading to a disjointed first-half display in which they failed to muster a shot on target. 

Andres Andrade nodded the ball off the crossbar and Marko Raguz was denied by a good Sergio Romero save, as LASK showed greater early initiative.

United's first meaningful effort on goal was a low strike from Odion Ighalo, who turned well from Juan Mata's pass but shot too close to Alexander Schlager. 

At the other end, Romero could do nothing to stop Wiesinger putting LASK ahead, the defender sending a stunning first-time strike into the top-right corner from 25 yards out. 

The lead lasted just two minutes, though, Mata sending a pass into the path of Lingard, who had plenty of time to side-foot past Schlager from inside the penalty area. 

Romero just about kept out a Dominik Reiter effort at his near post before Solskjaer handed 18-year-old Teden Mengi his senior debut at right-back. 

It was another second-half substitute, Martial, who got the winner, combining superbly with Mata before side-footing through the legs of Schlager, who was just unable to keep the shot out. 

What does it mean? United must now wake up and smell Cologne 

It would have been a truly sensational result if LASK had come back to win this tie, and Solskjaer's changed line-up was no surprise given the fatigue some of his players had shown at the end of the league season. 

This was a chance for some back-up players to stake a claim for a starting spot in the quarter-final in Cologne next Monday, when United will take on Copenhagen, who were 3-1 aggregate winners over Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir. 

For the established stars given a chance to rest, the preparation starts now. 

Lingard finding form at last 

"I lost who I was as a player and person, but I never wanted to give up," Lingard wrote on social media after scoring his first league goal of the season with practically the last kick of the final game at Leicester. 

The England international admitted to some tough self-reflection after a very difficult season, but a second goal in as many games is a sign he is beginning to find his way again. 

Left-back limitations 

Brandon Williams earned a new contract thanks to a breakthrough season for United, but his recent outings in place of the injured Luke Shaw have not been of the highest standard. 

He was defensively capable on Wednesday but, as a right-footed left-back, he simply does not offer enough of an attacking threat on the overlap down the wing. Shaw's absence for the rest of the tournament could be keenly felt. 

What's next? 

United will now prepare for the meeting with Copenhagen in Germany on August 10. As for LASK, they have three friendlies scheduled before their 2020-21 season starts in the domestic cup against Siegendorf on August 27. 

Jorge Molina paid for an awful penalty miss as Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen sent Inter into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Getafe.

With Lukaku having opened the scoring for Inter midway through the first half, Getafe veteran Molina had the chance to restore parity with 14 minutes remaining following Diego Godin's handball.

Yet Molina fluffed his lines, hacking his effort embarrassingly wide just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute in Germany, where a one-off tie was played after the coronavirus pandemic delayed the original first leg.

A glaring miss from Lukaku moments later gave Getafe some hope, but Eriksen was on hand to extinguish any chance of a comeback and seal Inter's last-eight spot.

Samir Handanovic was called into action inside two minutes, diving to his left to keep out Nemanja Maksimovic's header, and Alessandro Bastoni's block denied Jaime Mata.

Lautaro Martinez forced David Soria into two fine saves in response, before Lukaku went one better in the 33rd minute, slamming home with a brilliant finish after latching onto Bastoni's pass.

Danilo D'Ambrosio and Godin each almost doubled Inter's lead following the restart, while Handanovic pulled off an excellent stop from Mata's header at the other end.

Getafe were handed a lifeline when the VAR spotted a handball from Godin, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to visit the pitchside monitor and then award a penalty.

But having just replaced Mata, Molina got his spot-kick horribly wrong, sending a terrible attempt a yard wide of the left-hand upright.

Lukaku should have finished things off moments later, only to send a close-range shot wide, but his miss mattered little when substitute Erisken struck from eight yards out to compound Getafe's misery.

Brazilian side Pelotas are facing a fine after broadcasting monkey chants over their loudspeaker during a match against rivals Brasil de Pelotas on Saturday.

The match, which took place behind closed doors as Brazil continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, was the final game in the Gaucho state championship, with neither team having reached the play-off round.

During the game, a song was broadcast over the stadium speaker that uses the term "monkey" in reference to fans of Pelotas' rivals.

The matter has now been referred to the Rio Grande do Sul Sports Court of Justice, with Pelotas facing a points deduction and a fine of up to R$100,000 (£14,500/$19,000).

In a statement, Pelotas has blamed the matter on a third-party company the club hired as they continue to cut costs during the pandemic, saying they lacked the staff to review content prior to the match.

"As it was a game without the presence of fans, in accordance with the determinations of the right authorities, the club opted to hire a third-party sound company to present songs from our fans that should have the sole purpose of encouraging our athletes during the match," the statement read.

"Unfortunately, the contracted company also inserted, in spite of the club, provocative songs directed toward the opposing club.

"We would like to emphasize that the reproduction of songs with content provocative to the opponent was never in the contract.

"We note that, in view of the tight schedule to which the club was subjected and the reduction of its staff as a result of the financial crisis aggravated by the pandemic, we were unable to revise the content of the songs previously presented.

"We reiterate that the objective of the contract was that the songs were of exclusive incentive to our athletes. We regret the presentation of provocative songs to our traditional opponent, as we do not condone hostile and/or offensive acts to anyone.

"As a result, Esporte Clube Pelotas presents a respectful apology to the sportsmen, fans and professionals of the two clubs who felt offended and to the general public."

Romelu Lukaku joined an exclusive club on Wednesday as the Belgian striker scored Inter's first of two goals in a 2-0 Europa League triumph over Getafe.

Lukaku scored in the first half of the match, helping guide Inter to the quarterfinals of the competition.

The goal was the Belgian striker's 30th of the season, with the striker scoring 23 of those goals in Serie A.

It's the first time that the striker has eclipsed the 30-goal mark in his career, as Lukaku's previous career high of 27 goals came in 2017-18, his first season with Manchester United.

Having hit the 30-goal mark, Lukaku became the first Inter striker to score that many goals since Samuel Eto'o in 2010-11, when the striker famously netted 37 times just one season after Inter claimed an historic treble.

Lukaku also joined the likes of Diego Milito and Ronaldo as players to have scored 30 goals for Inter over the last 30 seasons.

Like Ronaldo, Lukaku reached the 30-goal landmark in his first season with the club, with the Brazilian firing 34 goals in his first season after joining from Barcelona.

In addition to equalling legendary figures like Eto'o, Ronaldo and Milito, Lukaku also equalled a mark last set by Newcastle and Blackburn icon Alan Shearer.

With Wednesday's goal, Lukaku has scored in his last eight Europa League matches, equalling the record for the longest streak in the competition set by Shearer in 2005 as the Newcastle star went on to score 11 times in just nine matches.

Lukaku's streak extends back to his time with Man Utd, but his three-goal haul this season makes him the first Inter player to score at least three goals in the competition since Rodrigo Palacio in 2014-15.

In total, the Belgian international has been involved in 35 of Inter's 104 goals scored this season across all competitions.

Christian Eriksen provided Inter's second goal in the 2-0 win, as the former Tottenham star has now been directly involved in five goals in his last four appearances in Europa League.

Having taken down Getafe, Inter will now look ahead towards the quarterfinal round, where they will face Rangers or Bayer Leverkusen, with the German side holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg. 

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Alexis Sanchez will be joining Inter on a permanent transfer. 

Sanchez has enjoyed a solid season on loan with Antonio Conte's side with all parties agreeing his long-term future now lies in Milan. 

In comparison, the former Barcelona attacker had struggled to impress for the Red Devils, scoring just five goals across 45 appearances for United. 

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta recently revealed a deal for Sanchez would be announced on Thursday and Solskjaer conceded the Chile international won't be returning to Old Trafford. 

“We will announce tomorrow so I can confirm we have agreed. Alexis enjoyed his time there they have liked him so that’s a good move for him,” Solskjaer said post-match.

“We wish him all the best and he is a top player who we want to see play his best football. For whatever reason we didn’t see the best of him here, but he’s a top professional and we wish him all the best.”

Solskjaer was speaking after Manchester United sealed a 7-1 aggregate win over LASK in their Europa League last-16 tie. 

Goals from Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial wrapped up a 2-1 second-leg victory on Wednesday night with the Red Devils now set to face FC Copenhagen in the quarter-finals. 

United named a surprisingly strong starting side to tackle LASK having won the first-leg 5-0 and Solskjaer was quick to stress that he felt he needed his players to remain sharp with the Premier League season now over. 

"It is that sharpness you lack when you don't play regularly, some haven't played since lockdown, for me it was a good exercise, it's job done, minutes under the belt and on to Copenhagen," Solskjaer told BT Sport. 

"We learned the players need to play to keep that sharpness. Some of these lads haven't played for a while and it showed. We won, we gave a debut to a young lad, it's been a good night."

On debutant Teden Mengi, Solskjaer added: "He is a leader, a centre-back, someone we believe in, he's strong, quick, good on the ball and I think we've got a decent player there."

The Red Devils continue to be linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho but Solskjaer refused to provide any concrete updates. 

"We are looking into all transfers," he said. "Not going to speak about individuals who are not our players." 

Jesse Lingard says that he is confident he has a future at Manchester United, saying that the club is "in his blood" after scoring in Wednesday's Europa League victory over LASK.

Lingard scored the first of Man Utd's two goals on the day, leading the way in a 2-1 win that sealed a 7-1 aggregate triumph.

The goal was Lingard's second in as many matches, having failed to score in the Premier League until the final moments of Manchester United's final match of the season.

In total, Lingard has four goals across all competitions, but the midfielder is the first to admit that this season wasn't one that was up to his expectations.

With only Man Utd's Europa League run left in what has been a tough season, Lingard says Wednesday's goal was vital for his confidence as he looks to return to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's regular XI.

"Of course, you take confidence from goals," he told BT Sport. "I wanted to add goals this season and I started and scored, so hopefully now I can carry on throughout the rest of this competition."

He added: "When you're not in the right mental state, football takes your mind away from everything. I love playing football, enjoy football and, of course, Man Utd is in my blood. I love playing for the club."

Lingard has been linked with a potential departure in recent weeks with there being a possibility he could end a stay with Man Utd that began at just eight years old.

But Lingard says he's confident that he can remain and play a role for the team in both the short and long term.

When asked if he believes he'll get chances at Man Utd, Lingard said: "100 per cent. Playing against LASK Today, there's a lot of space in behind and my goal was part of that. Seeing the run, I stayed onside and had to be composed."

While Lingard did score on the day, he was taken out after just 63 minutes as Solskjaer introduced Paul Pogba.

Man Utd are set to face Copenhagen on Monday in their next Europa League tie and, while Lingard was disappointed at the time, he says he isn't frustrated by Solskjaer's decision.

"I was enjoying the game and I enjoy football matches," he said. "I felt like I could have scored more today but obviously it's the manager's decision and I stand by that.

"We need the squad now," he added. "We're doing well in personnel with injuries and we've come together as a team this week. We fly out for the Copenhagen game and, of course, our mind is on that and getting through that."