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POCHETINNO TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS, GOES INTO ISOLATION.

Paris St Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has tested positive for coronavirus.

The former Tottenham manager only took over at the Parc des Princes on January 2nd and led the club to Trophee des Champions glory on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over Marseille.

But the 48-year-old will now self isolate and is set to miss the club’s next two Ligue 1 fixtures against Angers and Montpellier.

An official club statement read: “The coach of PSG Mauricio Pochettino is confirmed positive in the Sars-Cov2 PCR test.

“He will therefore respect isolation and is subject to the appropriate health protocol. His assistants Jesus Perez and Miguel D’Agostino will take over from tomorrow in Angers.”

Victory over rivals Marseille in midweek saw Pochettino win the first major trophy of his managerial career following spells with Espanyol, Southampton and Tottenham during the last decade.

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BRUNO FERNANDES WINS HISTORIC PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD.

Bruno Fernandes has made Premier League history after being named the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for December 2020.

The Manchester United midfielder has become the first player to win the award four times in a calendar year, having also done so in February, June and November 2020.

“Three goals and four assists was a complete month,” Fernandes said after receiving the award. “Scoring and assisting your team-mates is perfect. I want to achieve other trophies and awards but I’m really happy to make history.”

Fernandes began December by inspiring a 3-1 comeback win at West Ham United as a half-time substitute, assisting Paul Pogba for the equaliser.

He then scored twice and created another in a 6-2 victory over Leeds United, before being involved in all three goals against Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Man Utd are three points clear of champions Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, ahead of the visit to their nearest rivals at Anfield on Sunday.

“It’s a long way before we can start talking about being champions,” he added. “We have to keep working. We play against one of the best teams in England and we know what it means to the fans. But the main point is the same: three points.”

The Portuguese topped an eight-man shortlist that included Anwar El Ghazi, Emiliano Martinez, Ben Mee, Marcus Rashford, Mohamed Salah, Tomas Soucek and John Stones.

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CHILD FOOD CAMPAIGN ONLY JUST BEGINNING – RASHFORD

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has pledged he is only at the beginning of a long campaign to end child food poverty and his bid to make sure the next generation start life with a level playing field.

England international Rashford has seen his profile raised on and off the field during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the 23-year-old awarded an MBE during October in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Rashford successfully lobbied the Government into a U-turn over its free school meals policy in England during the first coronavirus lockdown, ensuring children in need would receive food over the summer.

The United forward has again led the way in January when tackling the issues over poor-quality food parcels which have been sent out to families, revealing on Twitter he had spoken to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and been assured “a full review of the supply chain” is under way.

On Thursday, Rashford was honoured with the Football Writers’ Association 2021 Tribute Award in recognition of his outstanding campaign, which the FWA said “goes even wider than simply a football context”.

Despite having achieved so much already, Rashford maintains there is still more work to be done.

We are at the beginning of what I see as a long journey,” Rashford said in an interview on www.footballwriters.co.uk.

“I am definitely not at the stage of relief yet, I feel that there is a lot more which needs to be done and a lot more steps which need to be taken forward.

“On the positive side we have started to take a few steps in the right direction, but for me now just because we have done that (it) is not about just sitting back now and being happy with what we have done.

“It is about what is next in the chapter of these children’s lives.”

Rashford continued: “That is a big issue for me and my team who are working on it – the numbers who still don’t have the support they need.

We know we have managed to reach a lot more people that weren’t getting reached, but there are still people out there who are really struggling.

“If we can make a five or 10 per cent difference to every single one of their lives, then it puts everyone at a good baseline and then we can start to work on foundations for the future.

“But until everyone is on the same playing field, it is difficult to start jumping ahead and asking for things that are necessary, but the timing would be wrong.

“We need to make sure everyone is on the same level first and then we can start to improve that level until they are where they belong.”

Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid a personal tribute to Rashford’s “truly amazing achievement”.

The 79-year-old told the FWA: “Marcus has shown to young people in particular there is a different way of dealing with life.

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DANNY INGS SET TO MISS TRIP TO LEICESTER DUE TO SELF ISOLATION.

Southampton forward Danny Ings is expected to miss Saturday’s trip to Leicester after recently testing positive for coronavirus.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed England international Ings had tested positive for Covid-19 following the 1-0 Premier League win over Liverpool and has been self-isolating.

If he returns a negative test then Ings, who scored the only goal against the Reds inside two minutes and went off late on, could rejoin training on Friday but would likely remain a major doubt for the Leicester game.

“We have had one positive test since the Liverpool game, Danny Ings is out, he has been 10 days now in self-isolation,” Hasenhuttl said.

“That meant in this game (Liverpool) he was also maybe contagious, I think it is 48 hours before you can be before you have a positive test.

We have had no further positive tests so far, that means our protocols (which) we are sticking to and our guidelines that we really follow are very disciplined.”

Hasenhuttl feels if clubs follow to the stringent regulations, then there should be no dampening down of goal celebrations.

“When you stick to the guidelines you can also work, as we do everyday together, celebrate together like we did after the Liverpool game and I think this is enough,” the Southampton boss said.

“You never know, but this showed me that when you stick to the protocols you have to control the risk.

“There is a reason why the Premier League decided to let us play football, this is what we are doing.

“For me, part of football is the duels, with the players playing together, and part of football is celebrating when you score a goal.

“I think the protocols and experiences we made so far shows that it works.”

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has now ended his period of isolation after a positive Covid-19 test and is available for Saturday’s 8pm kick-off at the King Power Stadium, along with forward Che Adams, who has recovered from concussion.

Southampton’s injury problems, though, continue to mount.

Forward Nathan Tella, 21, has picked up a muscle problem, while Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond and Jannik Vestergaard are also sidelined, with Michael Obafemi having thigh surgery.

“We have a few muscle problems at the moment that give me some headaches,” Hasenhuttl said.

“I think it’s a combination of not having a normal pre-season, having a tough schedule in the past, not having a chance to use all the recovery facilities we have here in the building.

“We are not allowed to use them so this also causes us issues I think, so therefore we must pay attention.”

Southampton’s FA Cup third-round tie against Shrewsbury, which was postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak at the Sky Bet League One club, has been rearranged for January 19, with next week’s Premier League fixture at Leeds called off.

Despite facing a potential fixture pile-up, Hasenhuttl will take things as they come.

“We have to play this game, if it is now or later, we will have three games a week, so it does not make a big difference,” the Saints boss added.

“It can be have nine games in four weeks, this is maybe the most busiest time of the year.

“We have to play these games, they may have been pushed back, but it does not make it any easier.”

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CAVALEIRO’S SECOND HALF HEADER EARNS FULHAM A POINT AT TOTTENHAM.

Ivan Cavaleiro’s towering header salvaged a point for Fulham against Tottenham Hotspur in an entertaining 1-1 draw in north London.

Spurs took the lead on 25 minutes when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg arrowed a fine pass to Sergio Reguilon, who in turn picked out Harry Kane with a pinpoint cross that the striker met with a diving header.

Son Heung-min also brought a good close-range save from Alphonse Areola, while Kane sent another header over the crossbar.

Fulham also showed plenty of threat, with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa denied by Hugo Lloris and Ruben Loftus-Cheek hooking an effort just wide.

After the break Son raced clear but his low strike hit the post on 71 minutes.

Three minutes later, substitute Ademola Lookman found space for a brilliant cross, and Cavaleiro did the rest with a bullet header.

More fine work by Lookman soon teed up Loftus-Cheek, but Lloris was alive to the danger.

In the final minute, Reguilon had the ball in the net for Spurs, but his effort was ruled out for offside and Fulham secured their fifth consecutive Premier League draw.

Spurs are sixth on 30 points, while Fulham lie 18th on 12 points.

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FODEN ON TARGET AS MANCITY BEAT BRIGHTON 1-0 TO CLIMB UP TO THIRD.

Phil Foden’s strike proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Manchester City against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Pep Guardiola’s men were on top early on, with Kevin De Bruyne denied three times by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Riyad Mahrez miscuing a volley.

With half-time approaching, Foden made the breakthrough when he eased a clever side-footed shot into the bottom corner.

City continued to dominate but were profligate.

Mahrez went close again after a fine pass from Rodrigo, Ilkay Gundogan and De Bruyne were denied by Sanchez, and Bernardo Silva hit the bar.

Brighton came close when a fierce strike by Alexis Mac Allister whistled narrowly over.

In stoppage time, substitute Raheem Sterling blazed a penalty over the crossbar after De Bruyne had been brought down by Sanchez.

Man City are third with 32 points, level with Leicester City and Everton. Brighton are 17th with 14 points.

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PREMIER LEAGUE REFS TO WARN CAPTAINS OF MORE RESPONSIBILITIES AMIDST TIGHTER COVID-19 RULES.

Premier League referees will warn captains “the eyes of the world are on us” in a bid to stamp out goal celebrations amid tighter coronavirus restrictions.

Match officials will specifically remind Premier League players of their responsibilities through pre-match meetings with captains, the PA news agency understands.

Chief executive Richard Masters wrote to all the Premier League clubs on Tuesday, reiterating the importance of adhering to new, stricter coronavirus protocols.

Players still celebrated goals in Tuesday night’s three fixtures, but Premier League bosses are understood to expect their latest warnings to have an impact across the next round of fixtures.

Masters’ letter would only have been received by clubs late on Tuesday afternoon, so the six teams preparing for matches might not have been brought up to speed before kick-off.

Players have been told to avoid hugging, handshakes and swapping shirts as the coronavirus protocols are raised in the wake of several outbreaks at clubs and a clutch of postponed matches.

Manchester City host Brighton and Tottenham entertain Fulham on Wednesday night, and Premier League chiefs hope their latest directives will now start to sink in.

Referees are understood to have been told by Premier League bosses to remind players that Government support for football to continue is based around compliance with the strict protocols that were enhanced still further last week.

Officials have been told to tell captains “the eyes of the world are on us and we need to set an example”.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston threw his support behind Masters’ warning to Premier League clubs, issuing his own message to clubs on Wednesday morning.

Everyone in the country has had to change the way they interact with people and ways of working,” the Conservative MP for Mid Worcestershire tweeted.

Footballers are no exception. Covid secure guidelines exist for football.

“Footballers must follow them and football authorities enforce them – strictly.”

The Premier League’s Covid officers have been granted extra powers to check dressing rooms and team buses to ensure compliance with social distancing measures.

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UNITED READY TO COMPETE FOR THE TITLE – NEMANJA MATIC.

Nemanja Matic believes Manchester United showed their title credentials by beating Burnley to go top of the Premier League on merit heading into Sunday’s mouth-watering clash at rivals Liverpool.

Paul Pogba’s second-half volley fired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ever-improving side to their ninth win of an impressive 11-match unbeaten league run, with Tuesday’s 1-0 victory propelling them above Jurgen Klopp’s reigning champions.

United had to dig deep, remain patient and regain their composure after frustration threatened to bubble over at the end of the first half to win at Turf Moor, where they went top at this stage of the season for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s victorious farewell 2012-13 season.

“I think that this kind of win shows that we are ready to compete for (the) title,” Matic, a two-time Premier League winner during his time at Chelsea, said.

“Sometimes (in the past) we looked like a team who wants to score as soon as possible, then we get panicked.

“I think today we showed more maturity, we showed that we are more clever and on this pitch here, in this stadium against Burnley, it’s always hard to win the games.

“Not to concede a goal from the long balls, set-pieces, so we prepared the game well and I think that we deserved these three points.

“In our team we have lots of quality and in these kind of games you have to use that.

“You have to be patient, not to panic, because when you have that much quality during 90 minutes one situation will decide (the game) and it was exactly what we did today.

“I’m happy. I’m happy for the team, for the team performance, for our team spirit and let’s see Sunday against Liverpool.

“It’s the biggest derby in England. We go there to compete with them, to see where we are (against) one of the best teams in the league, so I think that we are ready.”

United head to Anfield on Sunday boasting a three-point cushion over their nearest rivals – a far cry from the 30-point gap that Klopp’s men opened up over the Red Devils when they last met in January 2020.

Solskjaer has understandably downplayed the importance of going top at this stage, but Matic believes they deserve to be top of the pile.

“We played 17 games, we are top of the table, so that shows something,” he said.

“We didn’t play five or six games and you’re top, then you can say ‘maybe it’s lucky’.

“But after 17 games definitely it’s not lucky. Definitely there is a quality

But we can’t relax. We have to be concentrated until the end – to go game by game.

“Always in football the next one is the most important, the next one is the biggest final. We’re going to take like that and we will see.”

Matic was among United’s best performers at Burnley but Pogba was the star man, capping a fine display with his match-winning volley.

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BAYER LEVERKUSEN SIGN MANCHESTER UNITED DEFENDER TIMOTHY FOSU-MENSAH.

Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah has joined Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen for £1.75million.

The 23-year-old left the Ajax youth set-up to link up with the Red Devils in 2014 and went onto play 30 times in all competitions for the first team.

Fosu-Mensah made nine of those appearances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, having recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for much of the 2019/20 campaign.

But the Holland international, who previously spent spells on loan at Crystal Palace and Fulham, has not appeared since the 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig on December 8.

Fosu-Mensah has now signed a deal until 2024 at Leverkusen, who the PA news agency understands paid United in the region of 2million euros (£1.75million).

The defender’s contract was expiring at Old Trafford this summer and Solskjaer last week made it clear the defender would be leaving the club soon enough.

“I’m not sure if Tim is going to stay or if he’s going to take an option now,” the United boss said.

He’s not played enough, so of course he’s been allowed to speak to clubs with a view to leaving now in January.

“It’s difficult when you’ve got good players, talented players, and you can’t give them game time and he’s now at the stage where he needs to go and play again.

“It might be end of January or it might be in the summer that he finds somewhere else.

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AC MILAN WIN PENALTY SHOOTOUT AGAINST TORINO TO REACH ITALIAN CUP QUARTER FINAL.

AC Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu celebrated a rare appearance with a penalty save to secure his side a 5-4 shootout victory following a 0-0 draw with Torino in the Italian Cup on Tuesday.

Milan will meet with either local rivals Inter Milan or Fiorentina in the quarter-finals.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was given his first start since a thigh injury ruled him out for six weeks in November, but he was replaced at halftime.

After a tame first half in which neither side created much in the way of goalscoring chances, Milan came out with more purpose in the second and might have been 2-0 up inside the opening 15 minutes.

Rafael Leao forced a good save from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the Torino goal. Later, Diogo Dalot could have scored when a rebound fell kindly to him, but his effort skewed onto the post.

Milan substitute goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was red-carded on the bench for dissent on a frustrating night as Brahim Diaz blasted over with the best chance of the second half, before Tatarusanu won the game with his shootout heroics.