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Marcos Rojo's agent Jonathan Barnett admitted that the Argentine is unlikely to stay at Manchester United beyond this summer after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer apparently courted a potential replacement live on camera. 

Following his club's 5-2 thrashing of Bournemouth at the weekend, the United manager appeared to give Cherries defender Nathan Ake a few telling words of advice. 

While his statement was interpreted by BT Sport as “Good luck. You need a bit of luck from your centre-backs. Just keep going," others contended that Ake was told something quite different. 

“We need a left-footed centre-back, keep going," was the alternative message gleaned from the full-time clip; and in any case, Rojo's future at Old Trafford seems destined to come to an end. 

“I couldn’t comment on what Solskjaer thinks but I think it’s obvious, I think with Rojo, probably [a move] is more than likely somewhere else," the player's agent Barnett remarked to Stretty News when questioned on the chance of a summer sale.

The Argentina international's loan return to boyhood club Estudiantes in January was interrupted first by injury and later by the coronavirus pandemic, which brought football in Argentina screeching to a halt in March. 

Rojo managed just a single appearance for the Pincha in 2020, and despite no definitive date yet set for the return of Argentine football, he chose to remain in La Plata following the expiry of his loan deal on June 30 and is keen to stay put in the longer term - although Estudiantes are not the only interested party. 

"My plan was to stay in Argentina, because I want to continue with Estudiantes. But something happened: I got a call from Boca to see what I was thinking of doing and at first it moved me," he stated to Fox Sports. 

"Roman (Juan Roman Riquelme, Boca vice-president) called me. I was really excited, because he is a legend. My old man is a Boca fan. I grew up watching him. We spoke, I told him the situation and we agreed to talk further. 

"Afterwards I thought it through and told him it wasn't the time to move to Boca." 

Barnett added on the prospect of his client staying in Argentina: “I don’t know yet. I’m not sure.” Rojo remains under contract until June 2021 at United, with the club possessing the option to extend for a further season should they wish.

Nigerian football legend Victor Ikpeba has advised coach Gernot Rohr to invite Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to the Super Eagles.

The 18-year-old, who has been with the Gunners since he was seven years old, has been turning heads since making his first-team debut in 2018 under Unai Emery, impressing with his dribbling skills, trickery and eye for a killer pass.

Saka continued with his awe-inspiring form in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City – his 23rd appearance in the English top-flight this term.

He supplied the assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal by making a beautiful cross to the Gabon international, who fired past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for his 20th goal of the season.

In awe of his showing against the Foxes, the 1997 Africa Player of the Year wants the German tactician to hand the youngster a Super Eagles chance.

“Watching the Arsenal versus Leicester City game and I think Gernot Rohr should invite Bukayo Saka to the Super Eagles camp once the paperwork have been concluded,” Ikpeba tweeted.

Despite representing England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels, the Ealing-born teenager remains eligible to represent Nigeria at senior level.

Speaking to BBC Sport in December 2019, the winger said he was weighing up his international options and will not rush his conclusion.

"I am always thinking about it but I haven't made a decision yet," he said.

"No-one has been in touch but when I make a decision you will find out."

Meanwhile, Rohr earlier in 2020 said players must first show interest in playing for the three-time African champions before an invitation can be extended to them.

Saka will remain at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future after committing to the Gunners earlier this month.

He scored his first Premier League goal in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on July 4.

Thus, he became the second-youngest English player to score a Premier League goal for the Gunners after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who achieved the feat against Blackburn Rovers in 2012. 

Mikel Arteta’s men travel to the London Stadium on Sunday for their derby against Tottenham Hotspur as they continue their pursuit for a place in Europe next season.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels David de Gea has been the world's best goalkeeper for the last decade.

De Gea is poised to overtake United great Peter Schmeichel as the overseas player with the most appearances for the club, having initially joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

A number of high-profile mistakes, including a calamitous error in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham, have led to questions over the Spain international's future as No 1, especially with Dean Henderson thriving on loan at Sheffield United, but after Schmeichel insisted De Gea is the right goalkeeper for United over the long-term, Solskjaer was in agreement.

"David has had some fantastic seasons here now and next year is his 10th," Solskjaer said ahead of United's away Premier League game against Aston Villa on Thursday. "He has proven [former goalkeeping coach] Eric Steele right, that we believed in him. 

"He had a little bit of a tough ride early on, with the physicality of football in England, but, for me, he has been the best goalkeeper in the world over the last nine or 10 years.

"Just to work with him closely, you see he's still keen to learn, he's still working hard. Richard [Hartis] coming in with Craig [Mawson] as the coaches, I think they've reignited a little bit of a spark in David and he's working really hard in training."

The back problem sustained by centre-back Victor Lindelof against Bournemouth was described by Solskjaer as "not bad" and he may be able to play a part against Villa.

If not, Eric Bailly is likely to step in, with Solskjaer not feeling pressure to rotate his squad as he ponders whether to name an unchanged starting XI for the fourth straight top-flight game.

"There are not many that haven't played in the last two weeks," he said of his players not in that team. "They all know they are fit and available, that they are valued. It's not an issue. 

"There are so many things to play for. Trophies - the FA Cup, the Europa League - but also the top four in the league. The group is very tight knit and they all know they've got a part to play."

Melis Medo has revealed he supports the decision by Wazito FC owner Ricardo Badoer to sack 11 players for allegedly “lacking love for the game.”

Goal exclusively reported on Tuesday Wazito had released 11 players, among them, long-serving custodian Steven Njunge, midfielder Teddy Osok, forwards Victor Ndinya, Pistone Mutamba, Derrick Otanga, and goalkeeper Kevin Omondi.

While the foreign quartet of Paul Acquah from Ghana, DR Congo's Piscas Kirenge, Augustine Otu of Liberia, and Togolese Issifou Bourahana were not spared either.

In an extraordinary tweet, the club's owner Badoer has explained why he axed the players, accusing the departed 11 of "eating his money".

“Today the Wazito FC cleaning continues," he wrote on his @Donrico77 handle. "Kicking out no good f*cking hyena players that were recruited without my approval.

“All they did was to eat my money and lose games. I wish them the best on the f*cking streets where they belong.

“They lacked self-respect and love for the game."

Medo, who once coached Wazito before he was unceremoniously fired, has now defended the club’s boss for taking the decision and further said he should have done it seven months.

“Not all players deserve to go but I actually support Ricco’s decision,” Medo told Goal on Wednesday. “I said the same thing seven months ago these players were not ready to play for the team and nobody believed me.

“I also want to believe the boss when he said they were all signed without his approval.

“Actually, [Badoer] should have done these changes seven months ago, only one man keeps harming that team but he is no longer there.”

Asked whether the latest decision will spur Wazito to the title next season, Medo explained: “Not really but I am sure they will do the right thing this time around, Badoer wants commitment and fighting spirit from his players with good play, and that is what he is asking from the team.

“I agree with him 100 percent and I know they will do a great job this time, I am sure Ricco, Dennis [Gicheru[ and Fred [Ambani] will do magic together this time around.”

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has called for Badoer’s deportation for his "f*cking hyena players" comments.

Shimanyula said the Wazito boss should be deported for his lack of respect for Kenya and its players.

“Where is he from in the first place?” Shimanyula asked in an interview with Goal on Wednesday.

 “He should desist from belittling the Kenyan players. He should be deported as soon as possible. These are the kind of people who hate a country they are residing in and end up abusing Kenyans.

“How can he openly hate Kenya and the players? Even if he has got money that is his own money. Men have got money but they never brag about the same and abuse Kenyans.

“Let him be deported quickly. Let him take his money, the little money he brags of with, to his home country. He has done a grave mistake of calling Kenyans hyenas.”

Medo has also handled Sofapaka and Nakumatt FC in the Kenyan top-flight.

Dimitar Berbatov has mentioned Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Mason Greenwood as the players who could potentially emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the future.

The duo, who have shared 11 Ballon d'Or awards between them and are widely considered two of the greatest players to have ever played the game, are both now in their 30s and may not be far off the end of their respective careers.

Paris Saint-Germain duo Mbappe and Neymar have long been touted as having the potential to be world football's two biggest stars when Ronaldo and Messi decide to call it quits, with both having arrived at the French club for enormous transfer fees.

And Berbatov also mentioned Greenwood, who has burst onto the scene at Manchester United and been one of the club's best players since the Premier League restart, as being another who could one day reach the very highest level.

When asked about his former team-mate at Old Trafford, Berbatov told Betfair: "On Friday, it will be two years since my former team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Juventus.

"No one can say Cristiano hasn't been amazing in Italy, especially considering his age. He's 35 now, oh my God, most players have dropped a level by now, what he's still doing is unbelievable.

"He takes care of himself very well, probably better than he ever has, because at that age you need to work harder to stay in good shape. Messi and Ronaldo, we need to treasure them, because when it's over, it's over. They have been more than special.

"It will be one of the saddest days in world football when Ronaldo finishes playing, even those who dislike him will appreciate him. The day will come, but hopefully not for some time yet. When he's finished, other players will come, even Pele and Maradona were eventually replaced - life is a circle.

"We have Neymar, Mbappe, Greenwood, and other young players that can hopefully reach the highs of Ronaldo and Messi, as unbelievable as that may seem."

On Ronaldo's impact on the global game, with the 35-year-old having earned a reputation as one of the greatest ever for his performances for United, Real Madrid and now Juventus, Berbatov added: "Real Madrid haven't been the same since he left.

"He was a huge part of the team. He scored so many goals it's scary, he won so many trophies, and when he left, there was a big hole from his absence. Madrid will move forward, and they already have done, but he's definitely still being missed over there.

"If, and when Messi leaves Barcelona, how do you fill that gap? They have to move forward, but in a different way.

"My favourite moment with Ronaldo was when I set him up for the easiest goal of his life, against West Ham. I was going to finish it myself, but I was feeling generous that day. 

"We always saw how professional he was, we all wanted to work as hard as him, but that's why he achieved so much. All players can learn from each other, even if not by asking, just by observing.

"He was so good at an early age, he never needed advice. He always stayed after training to work hard which we all saw. We were lucky to be part of a team with him, [Ryan] Giggs, [Paul] Scholes, [Wayne] Rooney, [Gary] Neville, so many more, all the players could learn from each other."

Dimitar Berbatov has revealed that he was pleased to see Tottenham players involved in a half-time, on-field spat during their Premier League clash with Everton.

Hugo Lloris raced over to remonstrate with team-mate Heung-Min Son during Monday's meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite the hosts holding a 1-0 advantage at the time.

The Spurs skipper explained afterwards that he confronted the South Korea international over his lack of pressing of the opposition, adding that there was no issue between the pair and that all had been resolved.

Indeed, Jose Mourinho admitted it was "beautiful" to see the two players showing passion for the cause, with Berbatov claiming that he wants to see more incidents like that from the north Londoners.

He told Betfair: "To be honest I was happy with the Spurs result against Everton, sometimes you just need grit to progress. When I was at United and we became champions, we won most games 1-0 consistently, it's the most important result in football. Three points equal three points, no matter how you get them. 

"Son and Lloris' bust up was nothing, the desire to be a winner is always high and we should see this more often from Spurs players, it shows you care, you want to win, and you have the fire to do it.

"If players aren't doing their job, they need to let each other know, even if they fight a little bit. In a way, Mourinho is right, and it was a beautiful thing to see. The only issue is that we, the fans, also saw it, and maybe it would have been better in the dressing room, but overall it's good to see the fire there.

"There were many fiery players when I was playing, everyone wanted to win. If the ref was a coach, you could bust up with them, with other players, there were fights often broken up.

"It was like this a lot at United, when [Nemanja] Vidic was kicking someone and didn’t care, you would argue and fight, but afterwards you know it's OK. We all wanted to win, and we knew that of each other.

"If I did something wrong, Giggsy would tell me, and I would say to myself 'come on now'. Patrice [Evra] was in a bust up a few times, Vidic also, it was mostly defenders as they're the tough ones. 

"I don't remember the last time Spurs did that, they have been very controlled with no anger. It was a pleasant surprise, I was like 'f*cking finally', he is captain and that is his job to let them know to be better.

"Again, maybe wait for the dressing room, but in that moment it can be an uncontrollable impulse. it was passionate, it was necessary, and when it comes from your captain you take it on the chin and do better next time."

Former Black Leopards forward Joseph Mhlongo has attracted interest from Highlands Park and Chippa United. 

The 29-year-old player is a free agent after he decided against renewing his last contract with Leopards which expired at the end of last month.

His agent, Ratshibvumo Mulovhedzi confirmed Highlands Park and Chippa are still interested in Mhlongo with the current season having been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic since mid-March 2020.

“These clubs have always been interested in his services just before the Covid-19 pandemic broke, and things slowed down. But I’m sure that they are still interested,” Mulovhedzi told Daily Sun.

“Most of these clubs offered him pre-contracts but we delayed to give Leopards first preference.

"But with the revised offer from Leopards, we realized Mhlongo is no longer young and he wanted to get something better and solid."

Mhlongo, who can operate as an attacking midfielder and striker, has also been linked with the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the past.

This was after he played an important role in helping Leopards secure promotion to the top-flight league from the National First Division (NFD) as they won the 2017/18 PSL Promotion/Relegation play-offs.

Mulovhedzi confirmed his client is targeting an enticing offer with the former Ubuntu Cape Town player set to turn 30 in September 2020.

“But we would like to thank Leopards and we respect them for their professionalism," the player-manager added.

"They have been with us all along and understood that Mhlongo had to grow. It was not a bad offer that they presented, but we felt we could get him more for his age.”

Mhlongo was mostly used as an impact player from the bench at Leopards having registered three assists and scored once in 38 matches in the PSL.

The 2017/18 season was his best campaign during his three-year spell with Lidoda Duvha as he hit the back of the net five times in 22 matches for the team in the NFD.

He was then heavily linked with the two biggest football clubs in the country, Chiefs and Pirates ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, but Leopards managed to retain his services.

If Leicester City eventually end in the Champions League spots, Kelechi Iheanacho will likely play a vital role in making it happen.

Those are words that were somewhat inconceivable at the start of the season, especially after Brendan Rodgers left him out totally against Sheffield United in August. At the time, the former Manchester City frontman hadn’t played a minute of action and was expected to be third choice in attack behind the ageless Jamie Vardy and newly signed Ayoze Perez.

Having failed to make a Premier League appearance until December, his influence in their current position in the table has been significant. The 23-year-old may not be as prolific as Vardy, who’s the league’s top scorer with 21 strikes, but he’s come up trumps for the 2016 league champions too.

A devastating 23-minute cameo against Everton saw the Foxes turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 success (he assisted Vardy and scored a late, late winner), while he was involved in two goals seven days later at Aston Villa.

Also, there was an important FA Cup winner against Brentford in January, while the important League Cup equalizer vs Villa at Villa Park was, unfortunately, rendered unimportant as Trezeguet found a late winner in second-half stoppage time.

However, Iheanacho’s influence since the resumption has been vital to the Foxes hanging on to their European spot.

The former City protege has scored arguably their two most important goals post-restart, halving the deficit at Everton and scoring the opening strike in a tight game vs Crystal Palace at the weekend. While he knew very little about the strike against Carlo Ancelotti’s men, the goal gave Rodgers’ side the much-needed push to try and find an equalizer, which never came.

Against the Eagles on Saturday, the Nigerian forward opened the scoring four minutes after half-time connecting to a perfect low cross from Youri Tielemans. After seeing the hosts struggle to make inroads into dangerous areas in a largely frustrating first-half, Iheanacho’s strike opened up the game and allowed Rodgers’ men to pick Roy Hodgson’s side apart.

Leicester created four big chances after the interval (including the ex-City man’s goal) to just one in the first 45 minutes which showed how freely they played after edging in front. Interestingly, Rodgers’ troops ceded possession to the London outfit, too, which allowed them to catch the visitors on the break, which ultimately led to Vardy’s second of the afternoon, his 101st Prem strike.

Having seen his team have the lion’s share of possession in preceding games with little success in creating opportunities, the Nigerian’s early second-half strike allowed the East Midlanders to approach the rest of the game differently.

Possession stats against Watford, Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton read 69, 66 and 66 percent respectively but they created a miserly two big chances in 270 minutes.

Against Palace, they fashioned a staggering five [big chances] over 90 minutes, with four coming when they sat deeper and broke at speed. This may have been impossible had their back-up forward not scored so early after half-time to settle the nerves as the Foxes appeared primed for yet another poor result.

It put a positive spin on their situation going into Tuesday night’s game against a resurgent Arsenal side at the Emirates Stadium, and the Northern Irish manager put faith in Iheanacho alongside the durable Vardy as he matched Mikel Arteta’s 3-4-3 formation.

Leicester’s fifth-highest scorer was the away side’s most promising attacker against the Gunners, proving to be a threat with his movement and predatory instinct. This was evident in the 12th-minute when a well-worked corner on the left eventually found its way to Iheanacho who held his run and was found by Marc Albrighton’s cut-back but was thwarted by Emiliano Martinez’s right boot.

He would have brought the Foxes level 10 minutes after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring in a move similar to the opener against Palace, with Vardy finding him at the far post with a precise cross. While the 2013 U-17 World Cup winner scored, a foul on Saed Kolasinac in the build-up meant the strike was chalked off.

In fairness, Iheanacho’s influence faded as the match wore on but he carried a greater threat than his strike partner until his withdrawal on the hour. Still, the Englishman couldn’t get into the game despite Rodgers’ changes and the Foxes didn’t look like finding the leveller they longed for.

Eddie Nketiah’s sending off in the 75th-minute, four minutes after coming on, made things interesting in the final minutes, and Vardy eventually found the equalizer with six minutes of normal time remaining.

As odd as it sounds, the Foxes carried little threat after the striker's withdrawal which left their top scorer isolated in the middle, a bugbear for Rodgers since the restart in June.

Despite having the majority of the ball in the final half-hour, they created little and missed another goalscoring threat. This underlines the West African’s importance in the team, despite not being the first-choice striker.

Interestingly, a dive into the side’s statistics present interesting facts: according to FBref, excluding penalties, Iheanacho averages 0.94 goals and assists per 90 minutes, the highest average in the side and significantly superior to Vardy’s 0.73 G+A per 90.

Also, he beats the Englishman’s non-penalty Expected Goals plus Expected Assists per 90 minutes (0.74 to 0.57), which highlights how effective he has been this season to score five times and set up three goals, despite averaging 49 minutes per game.

While Vardy may be the division’s top scorer, his struggles since the turn of the year, recent goals aside, mean Rodgers could harness the usefulness of Iheanacho in the final third as Leicester seek to keep the in-form chasing pack at bay and retain their top four place with four games to play.

Jose Mourinho's fear of getting "in trouble" put the Tottenham boss on the defensive regarding the subject of Eric Dier's four-game ban.

Spurs midfielder Dier was hit with the sanction , along with a £40,000 fine, by the Football Association on Wednesday after his altercation with a fan following the penalty shoot-out FA Cup defeat to Norwich City in March.

The England international climbed into the stands having been angered by the actions of a supporter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Dier was handed a misconduct charge in April and, although he denied his actions had been threatening, an independent regulatory commission found otherwise.

Asked to give his response to the punishment and whether the club would appeal, Mourinho said: "If I answer, I'm going to be in trouble and I don't want to be.

"I don't think [there will be an appeal], honestly, because if you appeal you have other risks. At least let's start next season without a suspension.

"We all know how it works. You have access, if you want, to the record of appeals, successful appeals and unsuccessful appeals. I don't think so, I don't think we're going to appeal."

The suspension means Dier will be absent for all but one of Spurs' remaining five games, with Mourinho revealing a certain ambivalence towards the 26-year-old.

"I think he had a strange last season. A very strange current season," he said, admitting there was some debate over Dier's best position. "We made a decision together, I told him immediately since my arrival, let's go together in a certain direction, but I think you are not ready.

"So, let's go back to a certain level of being a midfielder, but also with an eye to transforming to a centre-back, where he feels more comfortable.

"Even when we were working on Zoom, we were working with him, totally focused on being a centre-back, so he develops a number of skills, becomes much more adapted to that position.

"Then we decided [against] Manchester United, first match [after the resumption], we'd go with him in that position. Using this period to fight for points and objectives in relation to the table but also looking forward to the next season.

"I think he played a very good match against Sheffield [United]. We all made a few mistakes but defensively the team was very consistent. He was very consistent playing against some of the best strikers.

"I think he's doing very, very well, we look forward to next season, where we have no doubts that he's there as a centre back and I think an important player for us."

Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood "can get the best out of each other", according to Dimitar Berbatov, who has backed the homegrown stars to shine for Manchester United.

Greenwood's rise to prominence has gathered considerable pace since the resumption of the Premier League on June 17.

The 18-year-old has hit three goals in his last two starts for United, taking his overall tally for the season to 15 in all competitions.

His latest efforts came during a 5-2 triumph over Bournemouth on Saturday, as he once again showed off his impressive finishing ability with both feet.

The teenage forward has been tipped to earn a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad on the back of his recent performances, and it has also been suggested that he deserves to start in the coveted number nine position for the Red Devils.

Anthony Martial currently occupies that role, with Rashford now deployed on the left after recovering from a back injury which saw him sidelined at the start of January.

Rashford has helped himself to 20 goals in 2019-20, but it has been reported that Greenwood could end up pushing him out of the team if he continues on his current trajectory.

Berbatov sees no reason why such a scenario should arise, with it his belief that all three of United's main attackers are capable of working together in unison for the foreseeable future.

The ex-United striker told Betfair: "Sometimes, when a young star comes through, it can worry other players who may lose their place, but I don't think this is the case here and for me, players like Marcus Rashford have nothing to worry about, all three attacking players can complement each other as we've seen. 

"The mix of youth and experience is good, this is all beneficial for everyone. No one should worry, they should feel joy, the competition makes you a better player, and it's very positive for the club.

"Rashford and Greenwood can get the best out of each other in the games to come, when you have a front three of them and Anthony Martial, it is so flexible, so quick, so adaptable. No one has a fixed position, they can swap positions and explore the entire final third independently. You can't try to stop this, you must let them improvise.

"It's important for Greenwood to stay relatively level-headed right now. He obviously knows he has quality and a good environment around him, so it's hard to be extremely humble, but it's certainly easier to be more guarded than others might be. 

"He can be as arrogant as he likes on the pitch, it will actually help him, but once the game is over you have to be respectful, and people will appreciate that and respect you more for it."

Arsenal have appealed Eddie Nketiah’s red card against Leicester City.

The Gunners striker was sent off for a challenge on James Justin just four minutes after replacing Alexandre Lacazette in the second half of Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with the Foxes.

Nketiah was initially only shown a yellow card by referee Christopher Kavanagh, but the match official upgraded the punishment to a red after reviewing the incident on the pitch side VAR monitor.

Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta was infuriated by the decision, especially as Jamie Vardy had escaped punishment for kicking Shokdran Mustafi in the head during a clash just before half-time.

“With the red card, he doesn't see the player and you have to know that he is a young kid,” said Arsenal’s head coach. "But if that is a red card then Leicester have to play with 10 men after 42 minutes. That has to be a red card as well.

“If we review incidents of that type, we review them all. It has to be something equal for everybody because it changes the game completely. If Eddie is a red card, then for sure the other one is a red card."

Nketiah stands to miss Sunday’s north London derby against Spurs through suspension, as well as the home game with Liverpool next Wednesday and the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley, but Arsenal have now launched a two-pronged appeal, both in terms of the red card and the three-game suspension.

The north London club are appealing on the grounds of wrongful decision, as well as excessive punishment. So if the first appeal gets thrown out, they are hoping to at least get Nketiah’s ban reduced.

The Football Association will make a decision by the end of the week.

Arteta revealed after Tuesday night’s draw that Nketiah had apologised to his team-mates in the changing room soon after the full-time whistle. Arsenal had been leading 1-0 at the time thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal, only for Jamie Vardy to equalise 10 minutes after the sending off.

Gunners left-back Kieran Tierney spoke after the game and felt the forward had been hard done by.

“I had a view [of the tackle], to me it looked totally accidental,” said Tierney. “Obviously I've not seen it in slow motion like the referee, I didn't get a chance but for me it's accidental and Eddie is not the kind of player who would do anything like that.”

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has opened up on his attempts to "stimulate" his squad in north London, while insisting that he hates "silence" and "monologues".

Mourinho accused his players of a lack of desire in a 3-1 Premier League loss to Sheffield United and claimed the sight of his team being beaten through a basic will to win "destroys me a little bit on the inside".

Part of the problem in modern sides, according to the 57-year-old tactician, is that it is too easy for players to isolate themselves on social media or by using games consoles even when staying at team hotels.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss is determined to improve the communication between his Spurs stars, although he insists that will not involve lectures on his part.

"If I think overall, comparing examples of my time as an assistant coach, Barcelona, Porto, 25 years ago or so, the players they used to be together all the time," Mourinho told a press conference ahead of a meeting with relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Thursday.

"No Xbox, PlayStation, social media. Quite the beginning of mobile phones. But players used to spend all the time together. Even when you go to hotels, together all the time, [it is] much easier to develop intimacy, trust, build a certain dynamic in the group.

"In a hotel, every player has his own bedroom, they go there, they are not alone, they are on Zoom, FaceTime, they are on social media 'together' playing some Xbox or PlayStation, but they don't need to share the same space. Just a society thing - the interaction is different. But probably at a personality level, you don't get the same kind of communication that you had.

"We need to stimulate it all the time, not to be closed in their own shell. It's a team effort, team group, team sport - you don't play alone. A team has to be more than the sum of the individuals. You need to interact, communicate, share ideas. You need to discuss what happened in the game, need to motivate each other. I believe this; I believe there are some managers that don't do that.

"I am upset with silence. I hate the silence in a dressing room, in a meeting, I hate monologues, I don't like to be in front of the players, speaking for 20 minutes without interaction. Something I stimulate, my way of being, my way of leading. My team the other day showed me the other day they need to improve at that level."

Mourinho has also warned his players that showing the right attitude is "not negotiable" as he looks to create a stronger sense of unity within the squad.

Monday's 1-0 victory over Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium included a clash between Hugo Lloris and Heung-min Son shortly before half-time, in which team-mates had to keep the pair apart, although Mourinho insisted he was "very happy" to see such a level of passion.

The Spurs boss says he has made it clear that such displays of character are essential to "winning teams", with motivation and intensity levels often going hand in hand.

"I always say that in winning teams, and I told the players that I can speak about winning teams because I belong to some of them, that there are things that are not negotiable," Mourinho added.

"What is not negotiable is a certain attitude, soul, DNA, character. Then you can, in a better day or not, face an opponent who makes it easier or difficult for you.

"[There is] unpredictability in football games, sometimes you deserve to win and sometimes you don't, but some things are not negotiable. Character: being demanding with yourself, with each other. Sometimes [you must] be an external source of motivation for the guy who plays in the same team as you. That leads many times to disagreement, discussion, but I think it's a really, really important thing.

"So, I was very happy with the team attitude during the game. Of course, I would prefer the little discussion to happen inside the dressing room, not outside - people can interpret [it] a different way. But I think it was a new thing in the team, a thing players do more times internally, be demanding with each other and grow up together."

The Nigeria Women's Football League [NWFL] board has announced the complete cancellation of the 2019-20 Nigerian Women's Premier League [NWPL] due to the coronavirus disruptions.

The campaign, which was initially set to kick off on March 25 was postponed indefinitely four days earlier over the global health crisis. 

This cancellation means the women's leagues, including the top-flight, will not take place for the first time since the first championship was organised in 1990.

Having scrapped the season, it further resolved that the next term will start after the government's approval for football's return in the build-up for the new Caf Women's Champions League.

Wednesday's decisions were the outcome of a virtual conference meeting, which was attended by NWFL chairperson Aisha Falode and chairmen of the women's clubs on Tuesday. 

"The management committee of the Nigeria Women's Football League headed by Aisha Falode in conjunction with women club owners and managers have unanimously agreed to scrap the 2019/2020 season, in the three tiers of the women's league, for the sake of protecting the health of the players and officials in the various clubs, in line with the Covid-19 protocols," the NWFL announced in a statement made available to Goal.

"In the communique signed after the virtual meeting, it was also agreed that clubs should be encouraged to prepare for the 2020/2021 season contingent upon the time the protocol for resuming sporting activities is approved, as the league will resume after approval has been given to the Protocol for the resumption of sporting activities document submitted by the Minister of Sports to the Covid-19 Taskforce and the National Assembly and NFF lifts the ban on football activities.

"The meeting also agreed that clubs are to continue to observe the existing Protocol guidelines put in place by the NCDC and the Covid-19 Presidential Taskforce as the League Board will not compromise standards, therefore, 2020/2021 will continue by abiding by the existing registration and every cup to should ensure that all necessary registration requirement should be put in place, as all registration for 2019/2020 will be carried over to 2020/2021.

"According to the communique, clubs to use the period of the break to complete all registration processes including evidence of up to date payment of salaries to their players.

"In view of the approval of Caf to commence the Caf Women Champions League in 2021, it was agreed that the 2020/2021 Nigeria Women Premier League season will be structured as a full season (straight league) with a plan to organize another draw for this purpose. 

"The league leadership urged all clubs to display and give quality representation on the continent during the inaugural Caf Women Champions League. Clubs are advised to give a good account of themselves.

"Also at the virtual meeting, the Head of NWFL Management Committee, Aisha Falode, briefed the club chairmen and managers of Fifa Covid-19 Solidarity fund relief to the Confederation and National Associations with specific reference to USD 500,000.00 to each National Association for women's football development, noting that it is the prerogative of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to determine the breakdown.

"The meeting also urged club owners to unite themselves and put the past behind, for the sake of women's football growth in Nigeria. And most importantly, the meeting eventually resolved the issue of a faction between the club owners and it is now one family."

The development means champions Rivers Angels will now have to defend their title in the 2020-21 season which doubles as the qualifiers for the inaugural Caf Women's Champions League.

Nigeria is now the latest country in Africa to cancel its women's leagues after Uganda, Morocco, South Africa, Algeria, Kenya, Liberia, Cameroon, Senegal and Burkina Faso due to Covid-19.

South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki wants to see Bafana Bafana players in top European leagues like the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga.

Bafana had the likes of Lucas Radebe, Shaun Bartlett, Benni McCarthy, Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar, Nasif Morris, Tsepo Masilela and Quinton Fortune playing in top European leagues in the past.

Ntseki believes the national team will benefit from having players competing in such leagues when international football resumes, having been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since March.

“If we can export more of our players to the European market, they will share the experience that they have acquired while playing abroad,” Ntseki told IOL.

“When I watched the La Liga recently as they came back after the coronavirus [break], I saw a number of north African players playing for Spanish teams.

"It was also the same when I watched the English Premier League. I saw more West African players."

Current Bafana players Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu, and Lebo Mothiba are plying their trades in Ligue 1 which is amongst the top five European leagues.

“But when I look at players who are of South African origin, we don’t have any, and this is a very big concern for me," the former South Africa under-17 head coach added.

"We need players playing regularly in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga.”

South Africa youth internationals Siphesihle Mdlalose, 21, and Khanya Leshabela, 20, have both signed their maiden professional contracts with Southampton and Leicester City, respectively.

However, Mdlalose and Leshabela are yet to make their first-team debuts for the Premier League clubs.

“For any team to do well, they need consistent players. We also need committed players who will come to the national team and work very hard for each other and their country and make sure that we qualify for Afcon and the World Cup," he said.

"A big Bafana pool made up of consistent performers will make us strong. Again, if we can have more players exposed to the (European) continental club competitions, it will be very easy for them to adapt for Bafana at a national level.”

The Afcon finals have been postponed to 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done an "amazing job of sifting out players that don't belong" at Manchester United, according to Peter Schmeichel.

Solskjaer has overseen a 16-match unbeaten run in 2020 which has allowed United to re-emerge as a major force in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have won their last four matches in all competitions, including an impressive 5-2 home win over Bournemouth last time out, and are now within sight of Champions League qualification.

Such an achievement seemed a long way off for United at Christmas, as Solskjaer's men were unable to string a sequence of meaningful results together in the first half of the season.

The Norwegian took the bold decision to let Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez move to Inter last summer as he began a squad rebuild, with Ashley Young joining the pair at San Siro in January.

He has also been unafraid to axe household names from his squad since being appointed the club's permanent manager in March 2019, instead choosing to place his faith in younger players with the drive to work hard and improve.

The United boss has been rewarded for his no-nonsense approach this year, and his doubters have been silenced as the team have gradually gelled together to start challenging the best sides again.

The likes of Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have been reduced to bit-part roles over the course of the transition.

Former United goalkeeper Schmeichel has been pleased with how Solskjaer has gone about restructuring the squad, and appeared to reference Lingard and his 'J-Lingz' clothing label when discussing those still on the books at Old Trafford.

Schmeichel told MUTV: “I’m on record for saying this a long, long time, since Ole came, that his most important job is not really to sign players, it’s to get rid of players.

“There’s a few players in the squad that we absolutely do not want there.

“They’re not there to play for the badge. They’re there to create a profile for themselves.

“I was reading about one player trying to make themself a brand like Beckham which is shocking really. But there are players there that do not belong in the dressing room.

“And I think Ole has done really well in kind of sifting them out of the picture really, so we only get reminded that they’re there in a chat like this, or reading about the squad. I think he’s done an amazing job.”

Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt says he is "very satisfied" that Katie Hopkins has been suspended from Twitter, after the footballer was involved in a series of social media spats with the right-wing provocateur.

Hopkins, a former columnist for The Sun and Mail Online, was permanently banned from Twitter last month due to "hateful conduct", having previously caused outrage on a regular basis for her offensive comments on a range of subjects.

Shortly before being banned, she criticised Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for his campaign to provide free school meals for children during the summer holidays, claiming this was promoting laziness among parents - at which point Van Aanholt intervened.

The Netherlands international told Hopkins that Rashford "had done more in 24 hours than you have in your entire life. Bow before a king", before asking his followers who the former Apprentice contestant is.

Hopkins replied: "I am a white Christian conservative. You may kneel and kiss my ring," to which van Aanholt responded: "I am Dutch black, I am also Christian (not that colour or religion has anything to do with it). As for your ring you are welcome to come to Selhurst and kiss my big toe. I'll wait."

Speaking to beIN SPORTS, van Aanholt said of his exchange with Hopkins: "I think I’m very satisfied, not just me, but everyone on Twitter because it’s 2020 and people are still getting racist abuse, where does this come from? It’s just crazy. So that’s why I called her out.

"Obviously, at first I didn’t know who she was, and I called my agent and I was like, ‘who is Katie Hopkins?’. So I sat down with my agent and talked to him about it, I said, ‘listen, I’m going to reply to her because I’m not having this’. He was like, ‘are you sure?’, and I was like, ‘yeah’, so we did it.

"She got banned and blocked on Twitter, so I’m happy with that. I’ve done everyone a favour by calling her out and replying to her and getting her shut down.

"I think everybody agreed with him [Rashford] on this one. I think what he did was right and what she did was wrong, so that’s why I called her out and she finally got blocked on Twitter.

"I think we all stick together and that’s what we did. Everybody liked Marcus for what he did and everybody responded to that, so I think we all came together and it’s a good thing, we all made a statement."

Wilfried Zaha believes his brilliant goal against Chelsea changed the mentality of the Crystal Palace team, unfortunately, they could not take any points in Tuesday’s Premier League clash.

The Blues took a 2-0 lead in the opening 27 minutes via former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and in-form United States international Christian Pulisic.

Zaha then pulled one back in the 34th minute with a piledriver from almost 25 yards that gave Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance.

Nigerian turned England international Tammy Abraham then extended Frank Lampard’s charges' lead in the 71st minute for his 14th Premier League goal of the season, before Christian Benteke reduced the deficit to 3-2 not long after.

Palace tried to score a late leveller but the Chelsea defence held firm.

"I’m disappointed with the loss because we shouldn’t have lost today,” Zaha told Palace TV after the match.

“We deserved a point at least. Or all three. That’s how the game goes, but I’m very happy with how we played today, I’m happy with the team. Going forward, if we play like that, we’ll win more than we lose.

"I’m just happy to score really and help the team. Scoring at that specific time spurred us on a bit. When things aren’t going your way and [you're] 2-0 down before you know it, I feel like that [goal] changed everyone’s mentality and kept us in the game.

"It shows our resilience. We’re losing but it’s not over until the final whistle blows. We showed we can carry on until the end. It’s unfortunate we lost but I’m very happy with our performance today."

Zaha’s goal was his fourth in the Premier League this season and his first in 2020, his last strike coming in a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on December 16, 2019.

His other goals were back-to-back in a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool and a 2-0 win at Burnley. The 27-year-old has also provided five assists.

Crystal Palace are now winless in their last four top-flight games having resumed with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth on June 20.

The South London club have dropped down to 14th as a result, but look very safe with 15 points separating them from the relegation zone and with four games left to conclude the campaign.

Eric Dier has been banned for four games after he jumped into the crowd to confront a supporter after Tottenham's FA Cup fifth-round loss to Norwich.

The defensive midfielder jumped over the advertising hoardings and into the stands to chase down the fan following the penalty shoot-out loss in March, with footage of the incident going viral on social media.

The ban comes into play with immediate effect, and the England international has also been fined £40,000.

According to the FA, Dier had admitted improper conduct but had said that his actions were not aggressive - a claim which was dismissed by the English football authority.

The FA said on Twitter: "The Tottenham Hotspur player admitted that his actions at the conclusion of a fixture against Norwich City in The FA Cup on 4 March 2020 were improper but denied that they were also threatening.

"An independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found Eric Dier’s actions to be threatening."

Dier climbed up the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before being pulled away by stewards following Spurs' loss to the Canaries.

He was attempting to confront a supporter who was believed to have been involved in a row with his brother, with his actions prompting a mixed response from the world of football.

Some sympathised with the player considering the abuse faced from some fans, while others felt he should have kept his cool.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho criticised Dier immediately following the incident, although he later said he did not expect the club to punish Dier on top of the FA investigation.

“I don’t think that belongs to the game. The game was a fantastic representation of the FA Cup, but I cannot run away from the question," Mourinho said.

"I think Eric Dier did what we as professionals cannot do but when someone insults you and your family is involved, especially your young brother...”

Mourinho later said: "I don't know the answer [as to whether he will be disciplined]. The only thing I can say is that, if the club does, it's not because I want it.

"I am with the player. I believe that the club is also with the player. So I believe there is no action from us. One thing is conversations, sharing ideas, another thing is going in that direction, which I don't think we as a club want to go."

Spurs were beaten at home by the Premier League's bottom club on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 after extra time.

Vipers SC new signing Ibrahim Orit has revealed his intentions to help the club to win the trophies and also use it as a stepping stone to professional football in Europe.

The Soroti-born attacking midfielder joined the Venoms last Thursday after agreeing to pen a four-year contract from Mbarara City.

This was after the newly crowned Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions had tried to sign the player in the previous season but the deal fell through.

Orit has now told the club’s official website what prompted his move to the club, which will take part in the Caf Champions League, and also praised coach Fred Kajoba, whom he described as a father figure for many players in the Ugandan top-flight.

“I am extremely happy to be here as it has always been my dream to play for Vipers. It’s a big club with talented players and a fantastic coach,” Orit told the club’s official website in his first interview after signing the contract.

“In the life of a footballer, you always want to play at the biggest stage, a year ago I wanted to come but it didn’t happen and now that I am here, I want to improve myself too on top of winning titles for the club.”

On whether he was disappointed when the deal fell through in the 2018-19 season, Orit said: “I was disappointed when it didn’t happen, but it was my motivation as it pushed me to work harder. I know my former club still loves me but now that I am here, I cannot wait to get started.”

Asked on what he wants to achieve with the club, Orit explained: “Vipers is a winning team and joining when they’re champions, brings another dimension. Therefore, I won’t rest on my laurels as I have to continue with the team’s winning mentality. Further to that, I am eyeing a professional career after Vipers.”

Orit also said he was looking forward to working with Kajoba, who initiated the move to have him play for Vipers.

“[Kajoba] is a good coach who at times takes it to the level of acting as a father and I have already experienced it with him at the national team,” Orit continued. “I expect a good working relationship with him here at Vipers.”

When asked if he had messages for the Venom fans, Orit answered in the positive: “I know they rate me highly after my good times with Mbarara City. Therefore, I will do my best to keep up the standards and make them happy.

“Sincerely, football cannot be enjoyable without fans hence their involvement is very key. In that regard, I promise to work very hard to always make them happy.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has denied he was lining up a transfer for Nathan Ake to join Manchester United after he was spotted chatting to the centre-back after the 5-2 win at Old Trafford last week.

Television cameras captured the United manager having a conversation with the Bournemouth defender at the final whistle, with some claiming he had said to the Dutchman that he needed a left-footed central defender.

But Solskjaer has denied saying anything of the sort, telling reporters ahead of his side's trip to Aston Villa on Thursday: "I've got seven centre-backs, I don't know where that's come from. We're fine."

Leicester’s draw with Arsenal on Tuesday night means it is now in United’s hands to finish in the top four as they still have to play Brendan Rodgers' side on the final day of the season.

And Solskjaer believes the Red Devils will have to win each of their remaining five games to guarantee a lucrative Champions League spot.

"There are so many games, if we win every single one we're in the top four," Solskjaer explained. "We cannot rely on help from anyone else, we have to do it ourselves and go into next season to put other challenges to teams."

The win against Bournemouth saw United reach 16 games unbeaten in all competitions, giving the squad confidence going into the final few weeks of the season.

"As a footballer you know you can't just pick out confidence from the fridge, you have to have it from every day in training and results matter," he said.

"The last 16 games unbeaten gives us confidence but nowhere near what a Manchester United team should stride towards. We focus on the next one and suddenly we're stood there with 16 - that's what we've done."

And despite Villa’s position in the league Solskjaer knows the game against Dean Smith’s side will be a challenge, especially with United target Jack Grealish being a threat.

"I think the last game they caused us some problems, Grealish off the left and [Anwar] El Ghazi on the right," the Norwegian said.

"Grealish scored a fantastic goal, there's been loads said about him and we need to be aware of him. If he's off the left, middle or right, he attracts players to him but there's not just one player in that Villa team, there are a lot of them."