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The Ligue 1 champions have been longing to win Europe's elite competition. Neymar is convinced Paris Saint-Germain have what it takes to win the Champions League this season. The Ligue 1 champions have been longing to win Europe's elite competition since the 2011 takeover by Qatar Sports Investments. When the Brazilian was asked if the situation could change in 2020, he told Red Bull: "Yes, I think there's a possibility we can make it. "In terms of the team and players, since I've played for PSG, this is the most prepared and strongest year we had in my opinion. So, I think we have a chance. "Although PSG has never won the Champions League, we are going to fight for this title. We know our values and we hope to be in the final."

The 34-year-old said 'conversations have already started, we talked about it last month.' Fernandinho is edging closer to signing a new deal with Premier League champions Manchester City. The 34-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of this campaign, has revealed he will be extending his stay at the Etihad stadium. "When I renewed at the end of 2018, we put a clause that if I reached certain goals, my contract would be renewed automatically," the player told ESPN Brasil. "Conversations have already started, we talked about it last month. I am close to reaching those goals and renewing the contract, but we can only confirm it after signing." The Brazilian, who joined the Citizens from Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2013, also said he is happy to help Pep Guardiola's side at the back where they have been suffering from injuries. "It's good as long as you can be at the highest level," he said. "Playing in a different position opens up the range of learning. "In defence, I see the game in a different way. It has been very cool and the guidance I have received from Pep has been very good. "At 34, playing in the Premier League is a source of pride. Many, many players wanted to be experiencing what I am experiencing."

Sadio Mane has been named the 2019 Confederation of African Football’s Player of the Year. The Senegal international won the accolade ahead of Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah and Algeria international Riyad Mahrez after votes from head coaches or technical directors and captains of Africa’s member associations. While receiving the award at a ceremony in Egypt on Tuesday night, Mane, who won the Champions League at Liverpool last term, said: “Football is my job – I love it. I’m really happy and really proud at the same time to win this award. “I would like to thank my family, especially my uncle who is here today, and my national and Liverpool team-mates, staff, everybody. “It is a big day for me. I would love to thank all the Senegalese people. They pushed me. I’m from a very small village, Bambali, I’m sure they are all watching me on TV.”

Guardiola insists Man City still have work to do despite 3-1 advantage over Man Utd. Pep Guardiola says the EFL Cup semi-final clash against Manchester United isn't over despite Manchester City's 3-1 win at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. Bernardo Silva broke the deadlock in the 17th minute and Riyad Mahrez increased the lead 16 minutes later, and an own goal by Andreas Pereira made it 3-0. In the second half, Marcus Rashford pulled one back for United, who will travel to the Etihad for the second leg on January 29. However, Guardiola says 'anything can happen in football and I know after what happened in the second half that they are a dangerous team.' "I've played many times against United, not just here, but when I was in Munich and especially Barcelona, and two finals of the Champions League. Of course I have incredible respect for this club and its history," the Spaniard said as the Livescore.com reported. "This club helps this Premier League in England and in Europe, to make our game a better place to be. Of course it's an incredible stage to come, an incredible scenario, and to try to play good like we did in the last times we've came here is an honour. "But that is not three points, that is not done. Last season they lost 2-0 to PSG and after they went to France and you know they qualified. "Anything can happen in football and I know after what happened in the second half that they are a dangerous team. Hopefully now in front of our people, they can support us like Man United support their team, and again, qualify for the final."

The Citizens thrashed the Red Devils 3-1 at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United's first half display against rivals Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night was abysmal. It was the worst performance from the Red Devils this season as they were thrashed 3-1 in first leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford, thanks to first half goals from Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez and an own goal from Andreas Pereira. Marcus Rashford pulled one back for United in the second-half but the hosts were unable to secure a comeback. Solskjaer was clearly disappointed with the way his players performed on the night and he told a news conference after the defeat as the Independent reported: "From their goal until half-time it's the worst we've played. "Before then, it could've gone either way, a goal, but that doesn't matter now. "We've just got to focus on Saturday, Norwich [City]. After that second half we've got something that we can believe in." The Norwegian revealed what he told his players at half-time: "Pride is one word that you speak about at half-time. "Make sure you win the second half and you're in the tie and of course it's a difficult task that we've got in front of us. "But that second half at least gave us something to hang onto." The second leg of the semi-final will be at the Etihad Stadium on January 29.

Jesus' second-half double [making it 13 goals in all competitions this season] helped the Citizens secure a 2-1 win against the Toffees. Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian scored a brace against Everton on Wednesday, and labelled Sergio Aguero as an "irreplaceable" player at Manchester City. Jesus' second-half double [making it 13 goals in all competitions this season] helped the Citizens secure a 2-1 win against the Toffees, who pulled one back through Richarlison - at the Etihad. "Gabriel has been excellent, but Sergio is irreplaceable," Guardiola said. "What he means for our fans, what he's done, the goal against QPR [in 2012], we need a good back-up for all the players and Sergio has a great complimentary player in Gabriel. "They have a great relationship."

United sit in fifth spot, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea - who secured a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it is possible Manchester United will sign new players in the January transfer window. The Norwegian revealed the 20-time champions, who were thrashed 2-0 by Arsenal yesterday, are "looking at one or two" players. It could be because they were beaten like kids yesterday he felt the need to say they are looking at a few players. But, who knows? However, time will tell. "You can see the squad and sometimes you think, yeah, one or two additions would do nicely because we are building towards something," Solskjaer said as the Express reported. "It just depends on if what we think will be right for us will be available. Of course it's playing on our decision-making when we've got two players out for a bit, Scott for two months and Paul for a month. "That gives us less options and we have loads of games and important games. "But it still has to be right and that's the big point here, if someone is available and something is possible we'll do it. "We're looking at one or two." United sit in fifth spot, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea - who secured a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove at the Amex stadium yesterday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has quashed rumours suggesting he isn't happy at Arsenal and that he is looking to leave the north London club. The Gabon international said he is "100 per cent" committed to the Gunners, adding 'the English press like to talk a lot'. The Times reported Aubameyang had informed Arsenal that he is looking to ply his trade elsewhere in order to win trophies, with Serie A side Inter and and the LaLiga champions Barcelona keen to secure the 30-year-old's services. After Arsenal thrashed Manchester United 2-0 on New Year's Day, Aubameyang, who has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, was quizzed about his future and he said as RMC Sport quoted: "The English press like to talk a lot. For now, I'm here. I'm here 100 per cent."

Mourinho didn't have a problem with the "fair" yellow card that was shown to him by referee Mike Dean. Jose Mourinho has explained why he was shown a yellow card in Tottenham's 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Wednesday. The Portuguese admitted he was "rude to an idiot" and didn't have a problem with the "fair" yellow card that was shown to him - by referee Mike Dean - after approaching the Southampton bench. "I think the yellow card was fair, because I was rude," the Spurs manager told a news conference after their defeat at the St. Mary's. "But I was rude to an idiot. "For some reason, I was rude. But I was. And because I was rude, I deserved the yellow card." Harry Kane scored a goal that was disallowed for offside following a VAR review, however, Mourinho says 'VAR should change it's name to VR - video referee'. "I think, at this moment, the referees are not the referees," he said. "I think VAR should change its name. "Video assistant referee? That's not true. It should be VR - video referee - because they are the referees. It's strange. You see the referees on the pitch, and they're not the referees - they're the assistant referees. "The other guys in the office are the ones that make the big decisions of the game." He added: "This is going in a very bad direction - sometimes in our favour, like it was in Norwich, sometimes against us. "But the direction is really, really wrong. I think the first step should be to change the name, VAR to VR - video referee. That's the way it is."

The Blues were comfortable for most part of the match but failed to score more goals. Frank Lampard was disappointed his Chelsea side didn't see off Brighton and Hove Albion before half-time on New Year's Day. Alireza Jahanbakhsh's brilliant late goal helped the homeside secure a 1-1 draw with the west London club - who took the lead earlier in the match via Cesar Azpilicueta. The Blues were comfortable for most part of the match but failed to score more goals after they broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, and Lampard said it was quite 'frustrating' they did not seal three points. "It was frustrating for different reasons," he told BT Sport. "In the first half, the game was there to be won. "We weren't ruthless enough. We got the goal and we had the possession. But we just didn't kill the game off. We allowed them to stay in the game. "In the end, it was a wonder goal. But we were lucky not to lose the game. In the end, the tactics matched up for both teams. But they were better than us. We have to take that on the chin."

The victory at Turf Moor moved Man Utd to fifth spot in the Premier League table. Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pleased the Red Devils were able to secure three points against Burnley on Saturday. Anthony Martial broke the deadlock at Turf Moor - with his third goal in two games - just before half-time as United went on to dominate majority of the match, but in the final 15 minutes Sean Dyche's boys piled pressure on the awayside, who eventually found their second goal when Daniel James played in Marcus Rashford for his 12th Premier League goal of the season. The victory moved Solskjaer's team to fifth spot in the league table, and following the match the United boss said he was 'very happy'. "In the first half I thought we were very good," said Solskjaer as FourFourTwo reported. "We controlled it, dominated it, scored a nice goal. Second half of course there's going to be a couple of instances in your box because they're desperate to get a goal and throwing men forward. "We could have finished the game off really, we had some great counter-attacking chances. We should have got the second goal earlier but there was some great defending. "It's important for us to know that we can grind out results as well, even though when you score one you don't always win. If we can get clean sheets we've got a chance to move up the table."

"I have lots of work to do but it has been difficult because I always say you have to try and hide your fragilities." Jose Mourinho said he is frustrated by the number of individual mistakes being made by his Tottenham players. The Portuguese revealed this after Spurs' 2-2 draw with the Premier League's bottom club Norwich City on Saturday. Mario Vrancic broke the deadlock in the 18th-minute but Spurs responded just after half-time through Christian Eriksen's free-kick. Serge Aurier's own-goal made it 2-1 in the 61st minute and it looked like The Canaries were heading for a win not until Harry Kane scored a penalty seven minutes from time on his 200th league appearance to make it 2-2. However, Mourinho was clearly not pleased with how the Lilywhites performed at Carrow Road, and he told Sky Sports: "I think the same defensive mistakes we made in the first half, we made in the second half. This is being a little bit of our history. "We started very, very well and had three or four big chances at the beginning of the first half and conceded two very bad goals - one of those offside. "I have lots of work to do but it has been difficult because I always say you have to try and hide your fragilities." Mourinho: "We have to improve defensively because there are too many individual mistakes. "That's very frustrating because we play well and cannot be more offensive than we were in the second half. Our defensive mistakes are match after match."