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Jack Grealish needs to become more like Bruno Fernandes and David Silva if he is to convince reported suitors such as Manchester United that he is worth a gamble, says Phil Neville.

An impressive opening to the 2019-20 campaign, on the back of helping Aston Villa back into the Premier League, saw the stock of a 24-year-old playmaker rise.

For many, it was quickly becoming a matter of time before an England hopeful was given a much grander stage on which to showcase his talent.

Grealish has, however, struggled for a spark since football returned amid the coronavirus pandemic and has seen United – who were said to be leading the chase for his signature – find creative inspiration from other sources.

With Villa in serious danger of slipping back through a top-flight trapdoor, Neville believes their talismanic captain needs to raise his game and deliver the kind of consistency that has tempted United and City into moving for the likes of Fernandes and Silva.

The former Red Devils star told Match of the Day: “He's the biggest influence on them.

“You talk about the last 13 games, they've only scored five goals. He hasn't scored any, and his assists have been really low as well.

“He takes up brilliant positions, he's got outstanding ability. What I saw in this game was the end product, the end product to assist a goal or score a goal.

“For him, the next level up is to produce match-winning performances, goals and assists.

“The lad has got great ability, there's a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but looking at the stats, in the last 13 games, the lack of goals for Villa - yes it can be aimed at the centre-forwards, but I think it's probably his lack of a final pass.

“When he goes to the next level, and I think he can go to the next level, and he's at one of the top clubs, he's got to produce goals and assists all the time.

“That's not a criticism, it's just saying that at the next level over 13 games, look at Bruno Fernandes or David Silva, they're producing those moments every single game, and the consistency is fantastic.”

Barcelona, on their social media pages at least, were magnanimous in defeat as they congratulated Real Madrid on winning their 34th La Liga title on Thursday night.

Zinedine Zidane's side secured their first league win since 2017 as they defeated Villarreal at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, with Karim Benzema scoring both goals to ease Los Blancos to a 2-1 win.

Barca, meanwhile, suffered a shock home defeat to Osasuna to leave their 2019-20 league campaign in tatters, with Madrid having opened an unassailable seven-point lead at the top with one game remaining.

After last night's events, in what was sure to stoke the rivalry between both sets of supporters, the Blaugrana's Twitter account posted a message to congratulate Madrid for coming out on top.

Head coach Quique Setien, who has conceded that he is unsure whether he'll be in charge for the remainder of Barca's Champions League campaign, also gave credit to Madrid, although he did point out that he felt luck had been on their side.

He told reporters: "We have to give credit to Real Madrid as they've won 10 matches in a row and we haven't. We let points slip away, it's true that in many matches where we dropped points we deserved more, except for example the match against Atletico Madrid where I think the draw was a correct result.

"In other matches where we won by a very tight margin, I don't think we were lucky. I don't think we had the luck that our rival had, they were more efficient. I'm not trying to put forward any excuses or anything, but these are the facts."

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, meanwhile, accepted that Real have been "the best" and that you can't argue with their record that has seen them win their last 10 games in a row in La Liga.

He said: "Without a doubt the champion is always the best. Of course, they've shown that over the last 10 matchdays. So I want to congratulate them. When you win 10 matches in a row, there's nothing more you can say."

Barca's social media response didn't go down quite so well with the club's fanbase, however, with many taking the opportunity to blast the Catalans for their abject title defence, while the opposite can be said for Madrid supporters, who revelled in their rivals' misery.

President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has insisted the country is blessed with talents and will not beg Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka or any player to represent the Super Eagles.

The 18-year-old has been in fine form since breaking into the Gunners’ first team and this season he has become a key member of Mikel Arteta’s side.

The versatile forward has scored four goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for the Emirates Stadium outfit in the current campaign.

His sock has continued to rise following his eye-catching performances and recently extended his contract to ward off other clubs who are interested in signing him.

The winger was born in England to Nigerian parents and has represented the European country at the U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels but as he has not featured for the Three Lions, he is still eligible to switch his allegiance to the West Africans.

Pinnick has failed in the past to persuade Chelsea duo of Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham to play for the Super Eagles.  

The NFF boss made a number of trips to England to convince the players and despite his closeness to Abraham’s father the striker went to play for the Three Lions.

Pinnick, however, has stated the federation will not plead with any player to don the Nigerian jersey and explained in the case of Saka, there are a number of quality players doing well for the Super Eagles in his position, although if he desires to play for the country he would be given an opportunity.

"Saka is an excellent prospect but we have other players in his position who are playing so well,” Pinnick said in an Instagram Live chat.

"We have talents everywhere so we won't beg people to play for Nigeria. It is about ardour and fervour, If it's their desire and they merit it, they'll be given a chance to represent Nigeria."

Nigeria are three-time African champions, after claiming the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013 in South Africa.

The Super Eagles finished third in the 2019 edition of the competition in Egypt behind Senegal and Algeria, who claimed the diadem.  

The West Africans are currently top of Group L of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with six points after victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Christian Pulisic is eager to help Chelsea win a “huge trophy” during his debut campaign in England, with the Blues readying themselves for an FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United.

The United States international bought into the long-term vision at Stamford Bridge when completing a switch from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2019.

Frank Lampard is still in the process of building for the future in west London, but any success in the present will be warmly embraced.

The current Chelsea boss won 11 major honours during his time with the Blues as a player, including the FA Cup on four occasions.

He has made those currently at his disposal fully aware of the importance of getting into a winning habit, with Pulisic determined to add to his own medal collection.

The 21-year-old said in the Evening Standard ahead of a last-four outing against United at Wembley on Sunday: “At Chelsea we want to win.

"This is a huge trophy. He has told us what it means to him and the club. Even though fans are not going to be there, the guys understand what it means. There is not the background noise but the circumstances are the same, you want to go out there and win.

“It would be amazing to win the FA Cup. All the guys are on the same page. When I was [younger] I would see a lot of Premier League games, but I saw a few FA Cup finals here and there and I saw what this competition means to this country. It is a big trophy and I am excited that we have the opportunity to win it.

“It has been a tough season, obviously, with a lot of ups and downs, but we are going in confident, and finishing with a trophy is always the best way to end the season.”

While their sights are about to be set on major silverware, Chelsea and United are also involved in a battle for top-four finishes in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have pieced together a 19-game unbeaten run during their challenges on multiple fronts, with Pulisic aware that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be a tough nut to crack.

He added: “United are in good form but we are confident. We want to play our game. It is not going to be easy but we are going to go in and do whatever it takes to win the game. One more game and we have a chance to win a trophy.”

Mikel Arteta says he can pick up the phone and call Stan Kroenke directly - rather than having to send messages to Arsenal’s owner via the media.

Speaking after Wednesday night’s victory over Liverpool, Arteta told Sky Sports that the gap between his side and the champions was “enormous” and that he was very concerned about the amount of money he could be given to bolster his squad this summer.

Many saw that as the Spaniard sending a clear message to Kroenke over the need for investment, but Arteta is adamant that was not the case.

“If that was misinterpreted, it wasn’t my intention,” he said, ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against former club Manchester City.

“We work so closely with the owners to put the plans that we need to take this club forward. Everybody has the same ambitions. We are in this together.

“But if you ask me if I know right now what I will have and how I can do it, I’m sorry but I don’t know because there are a lot of questions that we can’t resolve right now with the situation we have. One is financially, the other one is we don’t know if we will be in Europe because we have players that we didn’t know what is going to happen.

“That is the reality. It’s not about sending a message. We are all with the same objective and that’s to try and bring the club back as quick as possible to be fighting with the best teams in the country and Europe.”

Arteta added: “I speak with them [the Kroenkes] and I have a very good and open relationship.

“That’s why, when you mentioned [about sending messages] I was surprised because I don’t need to that as I have the phone and I can speak to them.

“They have been very, very supportive from the first day I joined the club, they were very much participating in the decision to bring me back here. And it’s the same with Raul [Sanllehi], Vinai [Venkatesham] and with Edu. There is no gap or friction or anything there.”

Meanwhile, Arteta insists that Ainsley Maitland-Niles still has a future at Arsenal, despite reports suggesting he wants to leave this summer after falling down the pecking order under the Spaniard.

Maitland-Niles has started just one game since January, although he has come off the bench in seven of the last 11 matches in all competitions.

Arteta admits the midfielder does have to improve in certain areas, but says he is still part of his plans.

“I don’t discuss reports with the players because I don’t read them,” he said. “Ainsley is a player who can play in many different positions and we have discussed the things that in my opinion he can improve or adapt to his game because he has incredible quality.

“He has every quality that you need to play at the highest level, but he needs to do it in a little bit more consistent way.

“Maybe he hasn’t played as much as I wanted him to play, but I played him in many different positions and in some very important games as well.”

Barcelona could become "a new AC Milan or Manchester United" and be unable to compete for major European honours unless serious changes are made at the club, presidential candidate Victor Font has warned.

The Camp Nou club lost their La Liga title to Real Madrid on Thursday, and must now win the Champions League in order to avoid a trophyless season.

Font, who is running against incumbent president Josep Maria Bartomeu with elections set to take place in 2021, warned that Barca could follow other big European names in not being able to compete at the very highest level in modern football.

He said the impact of coronavirus, coupled with star players such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique aging and nearing the end of their career peaks, as well as the finances needed to renovate their Camp Nou home, could all have serious ramifications for Barcelona in the future.

Font told the BBC: "Competition over the last decade has become more and more professional. You see in the Premier League with clubs well managed, and even states owning clubs to put in a lot of money at a time where the finance of the club and economic model is stretched to the limit.

"Unless we do what we are trying, Barca has the risk of becoming a new Milan or a Manchester United."

Milan, traditionally one of the world's most successful clubs with 18 Serie A titles and seven victories in the European Cup and Champions League, have recently struggled to even qualify for continental competitions amid years of financial insecurity, poor recruitment and changes of ownership and management.

They last won Serie A in 2011, their most recent Champions League title was in 2007, and they have not played in the top UEFA competition since 2014.

Manchester United meanwhile have not won the Premier League since the 2012-13 season, the last campaign with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge. Their most recent Champions League crown came in 2008.

Part of Barcelona's problem is persuading star players like Messi to remain loyal to the club. The Argentina forward, whose contract expires in 2021, spoke of his displeasure at the team's performances this season after losing to Osasuna on Thursday night to hand the league title to rivals Real.

Font said of Messi: "He is unhappy and doubting what to do next. He is probably a bit frustrated as year after year he is not able to win, especially the Champions League. That's where the focus needs to be.

"We want to ensure he understands if we were to run the club from next summer onwards, we would put all the conditions to equip him in the best possible way so the last years of his career here he can still aspire to win a couple of Champions Leagues."

Manchester United’s front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood boast the “special” potential to rival Barcelona’s famous ‘MSN’ frontline of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, claims Michael Owen.

A fearsome attacking unit has been pieced together at Old Trafford, with two members of that trident stepping out of a famed academy system to become senior stars.

Rashford and Greenwood have flourished on a first-team stage, with France international Martial complementing their qualities on the flanks while filling a central number nine berth.

Their collective goal return for 2019-20, which is now up to 60 and counting, has topped that of lauded domestic rivals at Liverpool and Manchester City.

Plenty are suggesting that they could be the ones to rekindle former glories at Old Trafford, with all three at an age which suggests that there is still plenty more to come.

Owen is among those expecting big things from an exciting trio, with the former United striker going as far as to suggest that a standing among the most iconic frontlines of the modern era can be taken up by Rashford, Martial and Greenwood.

The ex-Red Devils frontman told Premier League Productions: “They have got pace, they’ve got skill, great touch and they are backed up by a couple of players in behind them that can feed them the bullets.

“[Paul] Pogba is absolutely brilliant and of course [Bruno] Fernandes has had a great start to his Manchester United career.

“In those five players we are seeing something very, very special that could compete at the very highest level.

“We talk about the great attack of Man City, Liverpool and Barcelona over the years, well this is developing into something special.”

Rashford and Martial were back among the goals in United’s latest outing, as they edged out Crystal Palace 2-0, and Phil Neville claimed on the back of that triumph that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now boasts the best attack in the Premier League.

He told Match of the Day: “They're the best three - with Greenwood - in the league, up there with the Liverpool front three and the City front three. I think they have the ability to interchange positions and link with each other. I don't see any better.”

United will be looking for more inspiration from that department on Sunday when they put an ongoing top-four bid to one side and switch their attention to an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea.

South Korean club Suwon FC has confirmed the signing of Bafana Bafana striker Lars Veldwijk.

The towering centre forward was previously on the books of one of the biggest clubs in South Korean football, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

Suwon, who are campaigning in the second tier of the Asian country's divisions, K League 2, announced the signing of Veldwijk on Friday morning.

"Professional football team Suwon FC recruited foreign striker Las Veldwijk of Jeonbuk Hyundai," a club statement read.

Veldwijk's transfer to the club, nicknamed the Dashers, comes as a surprise as he had only joined Jeonbuk during the January 2020 transfer window.

The 29-year-old player was mostly used as an impact player from the bench during his time with the reigning South Korean champions.

Veldwijk netted once in 11 matches across all competitions for the Warriors including one appearance in the AFC Champions League.

Forwards Cho Gue-Sung, Han Kyo-won and club captain Lee Dong-Gook were preferred ahead of Veldwijk at Jeonbuk.

The Uithoorn-born marksman will now be looking to help Suwon secure promotion to South Korea's top-flight, K League 1.

The Dashers are currently placed at the top of the K League 2 standings - a point ahead of second-placed Daejeon Hana Citizen with 26 matches left.

It remains to be seen whether Veldwijk will be eligible to play for Suwon when they take on Daejeon on Sunday, July 19.

The former Nottingham Forest frontman has proved to be a journeyman in his career has turned out for seven clubs in his country of birth, Netherlands.

Since he started his career at FC Volendam, Veldwijk has played for FC Utrecht, FC Dordretcht, SBV Excelsior, PEC Zwolle, FC Gronigen as well as Sparta Rotterdam.

The experienced player has also turned out for Belgian club KV Kortrijk, Norwegian side Aalesund FK and Forest in England.

He has previously stated that he is open to a move to a PSL club and is eligible to represent South Africa through his paternal lineage.

Ajax’s latest signing Mohammed Kudus has dedicated his move to former Netherlands youth international Abdelhak Nouri.

The Ghana international completed a move to the Dutch Eredivisie outfit from Nordsjaelland on a five-year-deal reportedly worth €9 million.

Before heading for the Johan Cruyff Arena, the 19-year-old had scored 11 times in 25 league games for the Danish top-flight side in the just-concluded season.

Excited by the prospect of playing in the Netherlands, the prodigy went on social media to thank the Wild Tigers as well as Right to Dream Academy, where he began his football career.

Ultimately, he paid tribute to the retired starlet whose football career was cruelly cut short during the club's pre-season tour of the Austrian Alps in July 2017.

Nouri collapsed against Werder Bremen due to cardiac arrhythmia and was in a coma for two years and nine months.

"Elated to join Ajax & braced for the future cos it’s a special place with a new culture and challenges,” Kudus wrote on Instagram.

“I considered #34 but I dedicate my signing to Abdelhak “Appie” Nouri a brother in faith to keep his dreams alive.

"I owe this to all the staff & teammates at Nordsjaelland and Right to Dream. 

“I look forward to further developing and winning with the team and fans. Officially a lion with the Lancers & de Godenzonen.”

Meanwhile, his coach at Nordsjaelland Jan Laursen has described the Ghanaian’s progress as fantastic, while hoping that he actualises his big potential in future.

“Kudus' journey and development with us has been fantastic. A huge gift must be given to Kudus himself and to the many coaches, staff members and teammates who have contributed to the big step he is now ready to take," said Laursen.

"That the choice ends up falling on Ajax is the result of a very long and thorough process where they have followed him closely and they have been really thorough and have laid out a plan for him so that his development can continue and we will hopefully see him realise the enormous potential in future.

"It is no coincidence that Kudus has reached where he is now and that he could strive so quickly in FCN and Denmark. 

"His time at Right to Dream Academy shaped him into the strong player and strong man he is today. The many tournaments he played with his [would-be] future teammates in FC Nordsjaelland at our joint international academy have had a great impact on the feeling and welcome and as he was ready to perform both humanly and as a football player. 

"We are very proud of both Kudus, his entire journey and the great work behind it all in Denmark and in Ghana."

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has warned striker Gnamien Yikpe he only has the remaining three matches in the Mainland Premier League season to save his career at the club.

The Ivorian striker has struggled to fit well in the Yanga playing system since he signed for the giants from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, and was recently heavily criticised by the fans after his alleged poor displays.

After the game against Azam FC which ended in a 0-0 draw, agitated Yanga fans thronged the team’s dressing room at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam demanding the club officials release the player.

This forced coach Eymael to bench the player in subsequent matches but on Wednesday he was given a chance, coming on in the second-half against Singida United and managed to score the third goal as Yanga beat the already relegated side 3-1.

Eymael has now told Goal he was impressed with Yikpe after coming on in the match but warned him he has to show the same spirit in the remaining three matches to be assured of keeping his place in the team.

“It is true I put in Yikpe because we needed speed up front, I also introduced Ditram [Nchimbi] and some players also got the chance and some took it and some did not take it and I hope the game will motivate [Yikpe] for the three remaining games," Eymael told Goal on Friday.

"That will be three finals for Yikpe, very important for him if he wants to stay at the club."

On the win against Singida, Eymael said: “We won 3-1, we had to win the match, we had to win 7-1, we missed many chances, Yikpe scored but he missed one or two goals, before that David [Molinga] missed two chances, we missed many scoring chances, we didn’t play very well.

“Like is said before, we played without seven players, key players because of injuries and suspensions, we must not forget that and when you don’t have seven key players, then it becomes difficult and after we used a young squad, not experienced enough but we won the match.

“We also have to do all our best to remain second until the end of the season.”

Yanga will next face Mwadui FC in the league on Saturday.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has stated they are ready to resume football action when the government gives the green light.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) was halted in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic, and action is yet to resume after the government moved to extend the curfew for sporting activities and social gatherings for another 31 days.

With the curfew coming to a close on August 7, FKF boss Mwendwa has now told Goal they are only waiting for the clearance from the government to set the ball rolling and kick-off the new season.

“We have already managed to secure sponsorship for the league that was a problem last season when SportPesa walked away and left teams struggling and now we only have the curfew on sporting activities standing on our way to start the season,” Mwendwa told Goal immediately after confirming they had secured  Sh1.2billion sponsorship deal with BetKing.

“We are ready to help the clubs to start pre-season training and what we are now waiting for is for the government to allow sporting activities and social gatherings to return, we now have enough money to help the teams which struggled last season to plan themselves accordingly.

“We will also give out 20 balls to all KPL teams when we start training for the new season, we already have the balls with us, we will give to each club and that shows you we are ready to kick the ball when we have the green light from the government.”

Mwendwa further clarified how the league will be managed under the FKF, who will come in to replace the KPL.

“FKF will officially take over the running of the league from KPL, and there is nothing to discuss there, we will make sure football is run from one place – Goal Project offices – and we don’t need to pay rent anymore,” Mwendwa continued.

“We will also ask the clubs to form their own committees which will run the league, also come up with referees and other committees, everything is being discussed and before the season starts, the new office will be in place.”

Under the new partnership, each participating club in the top-flight will be entitled to at least Sh8million annually from the Federation with the partnership starting at Sh220million in the first year, followed with increments of 5% in the second year, and 10% in the subsequent years.

The official unveiling of the partner, as well as the league logo, will be done in September.

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama is yet to taste victory in Major League Soccer (MLS) as Montreal Impact lost 4-3 to Toronto FC on Thursday.

Wanyama made his MLS debut against New England Revolution where they lost 1-0 and the latest fall against rivals Toronto means the former AFC Leopards man will have to wait longer for a maiden victory.

Toronto’s goals came courtesy of a hat-trick from Ayo Akinola and a goal from left-back Richie Laryea. Montreal Impact, whose defensive lapses are to blame for conceding the four goals, scored via Romell Quinto and Saphir Taider.

Wanyama’s coach Thierry Henry pointed out what made them lose again and said they will have to work and correct the mistakes.

“The goals we allowed come from basic mistakes,” Henry told reporters after the match.

“We worked on it again, again and again, but unfortunately, we saw them again [on Thursday] tonight. We will have to work again to win against D.C.

“It’s called concentration, application. That can happen when you’re tired. That’s early to be tired. But this tournament does that to you.

“You watch the [other] games and it looks like those types of mistakes happen in preseason games. I’m not looking for any excuses. But that’s a fact. Having said that, that doesn’t mean you need to concede them the way we did concede them.

“Yes, we scored three and we had plenty more chances that we created. Not on counters. Not because they [Toronto] lost the ball. We created them. But you can’t concede four and expect to win the game.”

The Frenchman said their loss against New England Revolution came because his charges did not fight but pointed out they improved in that regard against Toronto.

“The other day against new England it was different because we didn’t fight. Today [Thursday] you can’t say that. We fought a lot,” he added.

“If you concede goals the way we concede them [against Toronto] it’s difficult to win a ball game.

“And we created a lot. Not on counters. We created passing the ball through their lines. We lost the game. It’s a tough one to take. Obviously, against Toronto.

“Hopefully we can rectify that against D.C. [United]

“The way we also possessed the ball against a team [Toronto FC] that usually likes to possess the ball – they didn’t have it.

“But they got us on the break. They got us on stuff that we shouldn’t be hurt. But it did happen. In the second half, they didn’t touch the ball too much but when they did, they made us pay.”

Wanyama and Montreal Impact will next be up against D.C. United on July 21.

Football fans in Africa have taken to social media to rejoice with Real Madrid after winning the 2019-20 La Liga title on Thursday.

Real defeated Villarreal 2-1 at Alfredo Di Stefano to clinch the title for the 34th time in their history, beating archrival Barcelona to the trophy.

Karim Benzema put Zinedine Zidane’s men in front moments before the half-hour mark and then doubled Los Blancos’ lead from the penalty spot in the second half.

Seven minutes to full-time, Vicente Iborra reduced the deficit with a fine finish but Real held their nerve to claim the all-important three points.

Real Madrid last won the title in 2017 under the guidance of Zidane, who parted ways with the club in May 2018 citing a number of reasons for his decision, before he was brought back in March 2019.

Football enthusiasts have hailed Los Blancos and Zidane for winning the trophy and praised the club as one of the greatest ever.

Leroy Sane's move to Bayern Munich from Manchester City will "unfortunately" bring the Bavarian side "a lot of joy", according to his former Schalke team-mate Joel Matip.

Sane ended a four-year association with Pep Guardiola's side this summer following a protracted and well-documented saga that could well have been wrapped up last year had the attacker not suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Community Shield victory over Matip's current club Liverpool.

Having had additional time to return to fitness during the coronavirus lockdown period, however, Sane's wish for a new challenge finally came true as Bayern and City reached an agreement over a €60 million (£55m/$67m) transfer in July.

Sane is no stranger to Bundesliga football, having come up through the ranks at Schalke a few years after Matip and eventually sharing first-team duties with the centre-back, and his old friend has tipped the winger to make it even more difficult for the also-rans to catch up with Bayern.

“He is a top player,” Matip told German outlet Die Welt. “Unfortunately, he will give Bayern a lot of joy.”

Asked to explain his phrasing, the defender added: “Well, he won't make it any easier for the competition, which already has a hard time keeping up with Bayern [in the Bundesliga]. Leroy is a player who can help a team enormously.”

During his time with City, Sane recorded an impressive 39 goals and 45 assists across 135 total appearances in all competitions, a contribution significantly worthy enough for the Germany international to inherit the No.10 shirt previously worn by club legend Arjen Robben.

And Sane, of course, revealed that he is “overjoyed” to be training with his new club ahead of the 2020-21 season, having put his injury woes behind him to make one substitute appearance for City following the coronavirus-enforced lockdown prior to agreeing his transfer.

“It was very good,” he said of his first session with Hansi Flick's outfit. “It was a small group for training, but it was great to be out on the pitch again, completing my first session here on the training ground.  

“I'm just overjoyed to be here.”

Manchester United remain “three players” short of challenging Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title, claims Ryan Giggs.

The Red Devils have made impressive progress in 2020, to the point that they are now 19 games unbeaten across all competitions.

A 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace saw that run extended, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side keeping themselves in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Champions League qualification is the target for this season, but future ambition at Old Trafford is much greater than that.

A club with 13 Premier League crowns to its name is determined to force its way back into contention for the most prestigious of prizes.

Positive steps are being taken in that quest, with big money having been invested along the way, but Giggs believes another productive window will be required this summer in order for the Red Devils to compete with north west rivals in 2020-21.

The United legend has told Premier League Productions: “I still think we're off City and Liverpool by two or three players.

“But Ole has done really, really well in the two transfer windows he's had.

“Good characters are coming in. You see [Bruno] Fernandes, he looks like a leader, he looks like a character. [Harry] Maguire, he's their captain.

“It's not just about having the players, it's about having that culture, that character that can improve not only the starting XI but the squad and the overall feeling around the club.

“They're certainly moving in the right direction. But, I still believe we need three new players.”

United continue to be linked with a number of possible additions ahead of the next window – which is set to open on July 27.

Solskjaer is said to have targets in mind that will strengthen the Red Devils from back to front.

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has seen a move to the Premier League mooted, while those at Old Trafford are also said to have sights locked on Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

It remains to be seen whether approaches for any of those targets can be made, with Solskjaer waiting to discover how much he will be given to spend by the Old Trafford board.

Wazito FC forward Joseph Waithera feels his team is not where it should be and more is needed from him and the entire squad to ensure the team gets to the top.

The 2018/19 National Super League champions struggled in the Kenyan Premier League last season, and by the time football was suspended owing to the Covid-19 outbreak, they were placed in the 13th position.

The indifferent start and inconsistencies also led to regular changes on=the technical bench.

"To be honest, Wazito are not where they should be," Waithera told Goal.

"I have set a personal target of helping the team to develop by upping my game. It is not about an individual but I can do something to encourage my colleagues as well to go an extra mile to ensure we perform better, and consistently."

The Kenya winger has also revealed his objectives for the abandoned season as well as what he aims to achieve in the new one.

"My target was to at least get eight goals in the 2019/20 season but I did not achieve it," Waithera continued.

"I scored three goals meaning the deficit was five, but I believe I could have realized it because by the time the league was cancelled, the team had developed some consistency and everyone was in good form.

"I have a target of getting at least 10 goals next season, and in two years I want to be at another level where I can get about 15 goals or so. It is a matter of hard work and I am sure all can be achieved."

Like other athletes, Waithera has been training in isolation after the Covid-19 pandemic. So how has it been on his side?

"It is very tough; first, the coach has not been sending a training program which makes it even tougher. I have been training on the roof-top to ensure I keep my fitness level high," he revealed.

"Sometimes, I have to look for any player in the neighbourhood to help me with training. Sometimes, one needs the motivation to keep going.

"My level will definitely not be the same when football resumes for obvious reasons, but I am determined to work harder and become a better player."

Virgil van Dijk has had “the Cantona effect” at Liverpool, claims Phil Thompson, with the Dutch defender seeing the impact he has made at Anfield compared to that of a Manchester United legend.

Title ambition was formed on Merseyside long before the Netherlands international centre-half arrived on their books.

A long wait for domestic dominance was, however, stretching towards the 30-year mark when a record-breaking £75 million ($94m) transfer was put in place during the winter window of 2018.

Van Dijk made an immediate impression at Liverpool, with the Reds winning the Champions League at the end of his first full campaign.

In 2020, the Premier League title has been secured, with Jurgen Klopp overseeing a return to the loftiest of perches.

Liverpool now boast a number of talismanic figures within their squad, but Van Dijk is considered to be a key piece of the puzzle and the man that laid the foundations on which recent success could be built.

Thompson sees similarities between the resurgence enjoyed at Anfield and that which arch-rivals took in after an enigmatic Frenchman was taken to Old Trafford in November 1992.

The former Reds captain told The Gary Newbon Sport Show on Punching TV: “I have recently said Van Dijk, for me, has had the Cantona effect that he had at Manchester United.

“That professionalism, will to win, that desire and then they went on to be serial winners.

“Van Dijk seems to have brought that to a lot of our team.”

While Van Dijk has become a leader for Liverpool, it will be Jordan Henderson who lifts the Premier League trophy on July 22.

The Reds skipper will not play again this season, having suffered an unfortunate injury, but he is another who is considered to have taken his game, and that of those around him, to new heights.

Thompson said of the 30-year-old midfielder: “Jordan does tick those boxes. He's not maybe got the skills or ability of a lot of other people, like Steven Gerrard, and he's had to try and bury taking that captaincy from Gerrard which was like succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson. That's how tough it was going to be. 

“People didn't take to him because I don't think they could see through what Jordan actually gives and it's a lot more than just that player out on the pitch. He is a leader which I think all teams, even some of the big six, are still searching to get.

“I think he's been an absolute great leader. I think he will be up there for the Player of the Year but there's so many special players in this side.

“In defence you've got Joe Gomez, who's been brilliant, Trent Alexander-Arnold with so many assists, Andy Robertson, who's been wonderful. The goalkeeper [Alisson] and Van Dijk have been absolutely so important to this football team.”

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has refused to believe the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has finally secured sponsorship for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

On Thursday, FKF President Nick Mwendwa announced they had signed a lucrative five-year deal worth Sh1.2 billion with Nigerian-based betting company BetKing.

In the said contract, KPL clubs will be entitled to Sh8million annually from the federation and will see the partnership starting at Sh220million in the first year, and increased by increments of 5% in the second year, and 10% in the subsequent years.

Shimanyula has now told Goal the speed at which the deal was signed without FKF involving clubs and even stakeholders, has kept him guessing and he will only support the deal after clubs receive the first grant.

“I am supporting the new deal but not 100% percent support because the deal was hurriedly signed, FKF did not involve clubs not even stakeholders, I don’t think the deal is legit, maybe until I see my club account with money from FKF,” Shimanyula told Goal on Friday.

“We have seen such deals signed before and they don’t last, they don’t even go far, I am wondering why FKF moved to make the announcement whereas there was no representative from BetKing.

"Why were FKF in a hurry to announce the deal without BetKing officials?

“When I signed my partnership with Kakamega County, all the parties were present, we even involved lawyers, but where and when was the FKF and BetKing deal signed?

"Where are the BetKing people, even during the press conference, we did not see even a single banner from the new sponsors, I might be asking many questions, but I don’t think we have secured a sponsor.”

On Thursday, FKF boss Mwendwa told Goal the new partners will arrive in the country in September for the official unveiling ceremony.

“We have only made the announcement to clubs and Kenyans so that they can know we have secured a sponsor, however, the official unveiling as well as the logo, will be done in September,” Mwendwa stated.

“Our players and club officials have had it rough over the past few years because of an underfunded league. I am happy today [Thursday] to announce BetKing Kenya as our title sponsor in the biggest deal in our history.

“We will also commit Sh10million of the License fees paid by our partners to the Kenya Women Premier League.”

KPL had betting firm SportPesa as their title sponsors before they walked away at the beginning of the 2019-20 season citing unfavourable working conditions in the country.