Manchester United’s historical transfer strategy has often been under the microscope, but a sensational new claim suggests that one of Louis van Gaal’s first signings was inspired by a video game. Former Red Devils midfielders Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have alleged that the Dutchman was alerted to the talents of Marcos Rojo by his grandson, who had been using the defender on EA Sports’ FIFA.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has finally broken his silence regarding the intense speculation that surrounded his future during the winter transfer window when he was a target for Tottenham Hotspur. At one point, the left-back appeared to be heading toward the Anfield exit door after nearly a decade of service. Despite the north London club's clear interest and the Reds' willingness to respect the player's wishes, the move never materialised.

Barcelona have set their sights on Tottenham sensation Luka Vuskovic as a primary defensive target for the upcoming summer transfer window, but the player's agent has cooled talk of a move. The 19-year-old Croatian, currently starring on loan at Hamburg, has caught the eye of Hansi Flick as the Blaugrana boss looks to overhaul his backline with elite young talent.

Mansfield Town have taken a cheeky swipe at Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori following their valiant defeat in the FA Cup fifth round. The Stags pushed their Premier League opponents all the way at the One Call Stadium before ultimately falling to a narrow 2-1 loss. The League One club then targeted the Italian international on social media, poking fun at his distinctive running style before insisting the post was "banter".

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has launched a scathing attack on interim boss Igor Tudor, claiming the Croatian looks completely "lost" in the Premier League. As Spurs continue to slide towards the Premier League relegation zone, Sherwood has urged Tudor to abandon his perceived harsh methods and adopt a supportive approach to save the team from the drop.

Everton playmaker Jack Grealish has shared a defiant message with supporters as he continues his rehabilitation from a season-ending foot injury. The England international, currently on loan at Goodison Park from Manchester City, was forced to undergo surgery last month after suffering a stress fracture during a Premier League clash against his former club, Aston Villa, in January.

Robinho Jr only turned 18 in December, but he has already broken into the senior team at Santos, where he is now rubbing shoulders with Brazil's all-time record goal-scorer, Neymar. The teenager is already attracting transfer interest from a host of top European clubs, partly because of his ability, but also due to the footballing legacy of his father.

Honest Ahanor is just 17 years old - and yet on Sunday he started his fifth successive game for Atalanta, against Como. Unfortunately, Ahanor's afternoon came to an abrupt end - and quite literally by his own hand. Just eight minutes into the game at Sinigaglia, the defender was involved in an innocuous, off-the-ball clash with Maxi Perrone, who shamelessly collapsed to the ground as if Ahanor had struck him in the face.

Another transfer window and another highly-rated prospect is on their way to Chelsea. The club's youth policy has struck again, with the west Londoners landing 17-year-old full-back Yisa Alao from financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday. Despite his very limited experience at senior level, the teenager provoked a transfer tug-of-war between three Premier League giants, but it is the Blues who have emerged victorious.

Kylian Mbappe is facing a race against time to be fit for Real Madrid's mouth-watering Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash against Manchester City. The French superstar is returning to the Spanish capital on Sunday after spending several days in his homeland undergoing specialist treatment for an injury to his left knee. His participation in Wednesday night's showdown at the Bernabeu remains shrouded in uncertainty as the club's medical staff prepare to evaluate his progress.

Real Madrid have reportedly cooled their pursuit of Manchester City's Rodri, choosing to refine their midfield shortlist ahead of the summer window.The saga surrounding Rodri and a potential move to the Bernabeu has taken a definitive turn on the eve of a massive European showdown. While the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is set to step onto the hallowed turf in Madrid once again, he will do so strictly as a visitor.

Luis Enrique has admitted that Paris Saint-Germain are suffering from a mental "disconnect" after the Ligue 1 leaders slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against Monaco. The result marks a worrying turn in form for the European champions, coming just five days before hosting Chelsea in the first leg of their highly anticipated Champions League round-of-16 tie at Parc des Princes.

Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...

Real Madrid have paid a heavy price for failing to replace Toni Kroos following his retirement in 2024, but then doing so was always going to be a tough task. For starters, the ex-Germany international ranks as one of the finest deep-lying playmakers of the modern era.

Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.