Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Manchester United change transfer plans because of Edinson Cavani
Manchester United star Edinson Cavani could leave the club when the transfer window reopens this summer.
Man Utd: Solskjaer wants Cavani to stay
Manchester United are ready to focus on a new striker instead of a centre-back because of Edinson Cavani, according to reports. The Uruguay international has been a good asset ever since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Yet a parting of the ways could be on the cards come the end of the campaign.
United signed Cavani on a free transfer after being priced out of a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
And the 33-year-old has made a good impact on and off the pitch at Old Trafford, scoring seven times since his arrival.
United have regularly hinted at extending the veteran’s contract, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailing his contribution.
But comments made by his father, Luis, have plunged the forward’s future at the Theatre of Dreams into uncertainty.
“My son does not feel comfortable in England and wants to be close to the family again,” he said recently.
“Edinson is going to end up playing in South America.
THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz
“I want Edinson to play in a team that fights for something important.
“Edinson had many conversations with Riquelme and he would like to play for Boca. He was always seduced by the idea of playing in Boca.
“If he returns to South America he is leaning towards Boca. By the middle of the year he will return to South America.
“My son’s idea is not to continue there, he wants to return.”
And Goal say that while United were initially targeting a new centre-back, they’ve been forced back to the drawing board.
DON’T MISS
Alex Telles ‘to be used in Man Utd swap deal’
With Cavani now expected to leave the Red Devils behind at the end of the campaign, United have switched their focus to a new marksman instead.
Erling Haaland is widely reported to be their No 1 target, with the Borussia Dortmund star establishing himself as one of the best strikers on the planet over the last 18 months.
But he won’t be easy to sign with Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus also linked with the Norway international.
Meanwhile, Glenn Hoddle has expressed a belief that United have signed Cavani at the wrong time.
And he’s claimed they now need a younger version of the Uruguayan, saying: “Yeah [a striker] would be [priority], yeah. I think it’s got to be. You need a young Cavani.
“You’ve got Cavani at the wrong time. Five or six years ago, his movement, his hold-up play, everything he had and he’s got still.
“When he plays for United I see a different United team, even now at his age. And he’s not that old, what is he, 33?
“So Haaland would be the one but how are you going to get him? Have the days gone where if United were in for you, ‘oh I’m going to Man United’? It was Real Madrid or Man United.
“Those days unfortunately for United have gone, they’ve got to build that up again.
“But Haaland would be on everyone’s lips, everyone would want him.”
Cavani has claimed he nearly joined United a decade ago.
“Just imagine it!” he said.
“I can’t remember exactly what happened.
“I do remember there was talk about one or two different teams, but hey, if I’d had that opportunity [to join United], I would have taken it, of course I would, without giving it a second thought.
“I don’t remember definitively if that was the case.
“But what I do remember is that I was due to travel to the World Cup in South Africa, and during that tournament, I had a conversation with Napoli, and well, told them if they had faith in me and wanted me to go there, trust and confidence are worth a lot to me, and so I made my decision and after Palermo I made the move to Napoli.”