The date was October 5, 2020. Manchester United announced signing Edinson Cavani. He joined on a one-year contract with an option to extend for another year. He received the glorious and the prestigious (and recently cursed?) number 7 shirt.
Before joining United Cavani has won the Golden Boot in both Ligue 1 and Serie A. He scored 341 goals at club level since moving to Europe in 2007, including 35 in the UEFA Champions League. He won 6 league titles with PSG and, is their all-time leading scorer with 200 goals. Cavani won the Copa America in 2011 and has scored 50 goals in 116 appearances for Uruguay.
On paper, this was a brilliant signing, however, with Cavani’s age (33), his last season plagued by injuries, and the fact it seemed another Falcao-esque last-minute desperation attempt by United. This left a sour taste for supporters and pundits alike. Many predicted this love affair to die even before it began.
Cavani made quite an Impact
Just saying that Cavani made an impact would be an understatement. He has been absolutely fantastic when playing for United. His movement off the ball, his hard work to come back to help the defense, and his relentless pursuit to find space inside the box has been phenomenal. He has a very smart footballing brain and knows how to use it as well.
With United without an out-and-out striker and relying heavily on Martial, who had a sub-par last season, Cavani was the missing piece of the puzzle. Not just leading the line and the numerous comeback wins Manchester United achieved but coaching and mentoring strikers. Look at Mason Greenwood, with Cavani as the role model to play with and look up to, his skill, performance, and confidence have been revolutionized. He has been set up for success.
He joined Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes among United’s ranks of players to reach double figures in the Premier League last season, making the Red Devils the first team to have three players reach that milestone in 2020-21.
What other United players are saying?
Getting accolades from fans is one thing but getting applauded by your fellow players is another. Here’s some of what’s being said:
For me, he’s one of those strikers that can smell the goal as you saw twice. He smelt the goal, you need to have this feeling to score these two goals. As I said some weeks and some months ago, Edi will help us and he is helping already.
Bruno Fernandes (after Cavani came off the bench and inspired a losing United to win against Southampton)
He’s good for the young players to see that to see the guy here who’s done so much and works so hard. He gives this positive energy, the mindset of hard work, and experience, it’s been great to have him. Everyone is learning from him, from the oldest guy to the youngest.”
Paul Pogba
He’s a top striker, you can tell the second he came here. The stuff he does, the way he dresses himself, the way he trains, the way he does everything right as a footballer, really.
Mason Greenwood
The next season
With the form Cavani displayed, it was imminent that United and Ole would have done everything to keep him here for one more season. With the new contract now sealed, all eyes would be on him to deliver the same goods next season as well.
And if United can sign Sancho, a CM, and a CB, we’re looking at a really strong team that can challenge for the Premier League title next season for sure.
Glory Glory Man United!
