Man Utd: Forlan names who Cavani would thrive alongside
As Marcus Rashford struck for Manchester United on Saturday, Edinson Cavani went absolutely wild. Video footage from the game shows the Uruguay international running in a state of ecstasy, celebrating his team-mates’ goal as if it was his own. Unfortunately for the Red Devils, he won’t be at Old Trafford much longer.
United weren’t at their swashbuckling best against West Ham.
Yet they got the job done due to Rashford, who struck in the closing stages to secure his side all three points.
In the immediate aftermath, United players were jubilant.
Scott McTominay ended up on the floor, while Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Alex Telles all roared towards the Stretford End.
And then there was Cavani, in the thick of it all.
The Uruguay international came off the bench to play a key role in Rashford’s late winner, passing the ball across the box for the 23-year-old to convert.
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick is powerless to prevent Edinson Cavani from leaving (Image: GETTY)
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Cavani is a gladiator. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he presses (despite being two years younger than Cristiano Ronaldo) and is still capable of making the difference.
Unfortunately for United, however, his time at the club is drawing to a close.
Cavani initially signed a one-year contract upon moving to Old Trafford back in the summer transfer window of 2020 following the club’s failure to sign Jadon Sancho.
He was unhappy when he received a ban for use of racial language in an Instagram post after his two goals had rocked Southampton in a 3-2 win.
Yet Cavani ended up staying.
He had designs on a return to South America with Boca Juniors but, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked him more, opted to put them on hold.
He’d later explain his decision by saying: “To answer that question sincerely, about what the reasons were behind it and what is my motivation to stay, quite simply I would say it is exactly what this club represents, what Manchester United represents as an entity, as an organisation.
"That is down to the club itself, but also the people who work behind the scenes and within the club, obviously the supporters as well.
"As the days, weeks and months pass by, you do get to develop a huge affection for the club and I think, on a human level, it creates a bond with yourself, your team-mates and everybody who is part of the club, and you start to feel that.
"You notice that it is a real motivation and it gives you a desire to want to stay.
“I am very excited and keen to stay for another season, to give it my best, to help the club on the field as I can and hopefully bring some happiness and joy to the supporters.”