'Pogba Would Be One Of The World's Best Under Pep Or Klopp'

A former Real Madrid and Liverpool star feels that Manchester United's Paul Pogba would be one of the best players in world football if he played under someone like Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp.

The Frenchman has endured a difficult time in England since returning to United in 2016, but while many believe the player has an attitude problem, others feel Jose Mourinho's tactics limit and even stifle his game.

Michael Owen shares that opinion, saying recently that he feels it is Pogba's manager who should be taking a lot of the blame for the midfielder's underwhelming performances.

"I think the manager has to take some of the blame – the system, the way he plays," Owen told BT Sport.

"If he (Pogba) was playing under a Guardiola or a Klopp or someone like that, I think we'd be looking at certainly one of the best few players in the world, but at the moment we can't say that.

"I'm of the opinion that he is totally world-class playing in a certain team in a certain way."

Due to his reportedly poor relationship with Mourinho, Pogba has often been linked with a move away from the Red Devils over the past year, with teams such as Juventus and FC Barcelona said to be interested in his signature.

The Four Players Zidane Would Sign For Man Utd

It has been reported that former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has four transfer targets in mind should he replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Zidane has been tipped to succeed the Portuguese tactician in England, following the Red Devils' poor start to the season.

It has been claimed the Frenchman would be interested in taking over at United, although it has also been said that the English club has no plans to sack Mourinho any time soon.

According to the Daily Mirror, however, Zidane already has an idea of which players he would look to bring to United if he was placed in the Old Trafford hot seat.

The 46-year-old would reportedly look at the possibility of signing Los Blancos star Toni Kroos, whom he worked so well with at the Spanish giants.

It has been claimed Zidane would also look to lure Bayern Munich duo James Rodriguez and Thiago Alcantara to United. It remains to be seen as to whether or not Rodriguez would be open to working under the manager again, though, as he was not a regular under the French boss at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Lastly, it is believed that Zidane would be interested in targeting Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, who many feel is often undermined in France, despite being his club's all-time leading goalscorer.

What will play a major role in any of these deals materializing is Mourinho's job security in England. With United having lost two of their first four Premier League games already this season, another defeat might see the board intervene.

Ramos Snubs Ronaldo As Favourite For The Best FIFA Men's Player Prize

While Lionel Messi was snubbed for The Best FIFA Men's Player 2018 shortlist last week, Cristiano Ronaldo was named among the final three candidates, but who does Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos feel deserves the award?

Ronaldo made the three-man shortlist alongside Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah and Los Blancos midfielder Luka Modric.

However, despite many tipping the Portuguese to be the favourite for the award, Real captain Ramos has insisted it is the Croatian veteran who should win the accolade.

"Maybe other players have more marketing or bigger names, (but) Modric deserves to win the award," he said, according to Sport.

"We will see who wins. He's a great friend and there are few players I feel prouder of to have in my team.

"He's a huge star. He's one of the few people who (if he wins) I'd be as happy for as if they gave it to me."

Modric won as many trophies as Ronaldo did last season, but his performances for Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup may set him apart from his former colleague.

Pogba Answers Big Barca Question

Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba, whose relationship with manager Jose Mourinho is said to be poor, has now responded directly to being linked with FC Barcelona.

Before the season got underway, it was speculated that the 25-year-old's agent, Mino Raiola, was trying to take his client to the Catalan club.

Reports suggested that Pogba was unhappy with a few of Mourinho's comments during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which the midfielder won with France.

Despite what has been said, the former Juventus player has now played down the rumours linking him with Ernesto Valverde's Barca.

"I'm under contract," he told Telefoot.

"There have been little things with the coach – the relationship is always the same, coach and player. We have common goals, which are to win.

"As long as you do not see me in a Barcelona jersey, it's because I'm in Manchester. There will always be rumours."

Pogba has played four matches this season for United so far, scoring twice from the penalty spot.

'Ronaldo Goes Missing In Big Games'

Cristiano Ronaldo's goals may have helped Real Madrid lift four UEFA Champions League titles over the past five years, but a Juventus legend believes the superstar goes missing in big games.

The Portugal captain joined the Serie A giants in a club record deal, but is yet to score an official goal for his new side. He left Los Blancos as their record goalscorer, and is also the all-time leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League as well as for his national team.

However, former Juventus and Germany defender Jurgen Kohler has now questioned Ronaldo's ability to turn up on the big occasions.

"There are no two opinions about Ronaldo's qualities. He holds many records in Spain. He has managed to win the major trophies. You have to pay tribute to him," he told Sport1.

"However, I must say that you rarely see Ronaldo in the decisive matches. Then he goes on to score the goal to make it 4-1, with a penalty, and wants to be celebrated for it. But that's the way he is, too."

Kohler did, though, praise Ronaldo for his work ethic, which he believes sets the 33-year-old apart from his peers.

"I talked about him to a lot of people," he added.

"Everyone is fascinated because he also works a lot on the pitch. Only the true champions are willing to work more. That applies to Ronaldo. That's the difference between world-class players and the regulars."

Ronaldo is the only player to have scored in three different UEFA Champions League finals, but failed to score in Real's UCL final triumph over Liverpool last season. In addition, he is also yet to score in a knockout stage at a World Cup.

France & Germany Share The Spoils In Nations League Opener

UEFA Nations League

Result: Germany 0-0 France

Date: 6 September 2018

Venue: Allianz Arena

World Champions France settled for  a share of the spoils after playing to a 0-0 draw with Germany in their opening UEFA Nations League clash on Thursday.

Didier Descamps handed a debut to Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, while Olivier Giroud kept his spot in the attack, despite not starting for Chelsea this season.

 

The Germans shaded the possession statistics in the opening 20 minutes of the first half, although they only had one effort on target to show for their dominance.

 

Midway through the second half, Giroud, who failed to score at the World Cup, nearly handed the visitors the lead but his towering header was palmed away by Manuel Neuer.

 

That proved to be the final clear-cut opening at goal for the remainder of the half as the sides went into the break level at 0-0.

 

After a slow start to the second half, both coaches opted for changes as Giroud made way for Ousmane Dembele, while Ilkay Gundogan replaced Leon Goretzka for Germany.

 

Germany nearly took the lead through an unlikely source in the 71st minute as Mats Hummels found himself in the opposition box. However, Areola produced a superb save to deny the defender.

 

Both sides pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages of the second half, but they were unable to carve out clear cut openings as the encounter ended goalless.

Bale Nets Stunner As Wales Win Big

League B

Wales 4-1 Republic of Ireland

 

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs was victorious in his first competitive game in charge of Wales, with Gareth Bale netting a stunning goal in a big win in their UEFA Nations League opener.

 

Tom Lawrence put Wales ahead after six minutes with a thumping finish after collecting a pass from Joe Allen.

 

Bale then got his name on the score-sheet with a stunning effort from distance, with Aaron Ramsey making it 3-0 before the break.

 

Connor Roberts rounded off the scoring for the Welsh, while Shaun Williams netted a consolation for Ireland in the 66th minute.

 

Giggs' charges take on Denmark in their next Nations League tie on Sunday.

 

League B

 

Czech Republic 1-2 Ukraine

 

League C

 

Slovenia 1-2 Bulgaria

Norway 2-0 Cyprus

 

League D

 

Kazahkstan 0-2 Georgia

Armenia 2-1 Liechtenstein

Latvia 0-0 Andorra

Gibraltar 0-2 Macedonia