Why Edinson Cavani would be a terrific signing for Manchester United
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United are close to completing the signing of Uruguayan star Edinson Cavani on a two-year deal. Cavani is currently a free agent after his contract with PSG came to an end last season.
Profile
Edinson Cavani started his youth career at his native Danubio in 2000. After playing for the youth sides until 2005, before being promoted to the senior side.
He left for Palermo in 2007 and went on to play 117 times for them, scoring 37 goals. Three and half seasons later, he joined Napoli. He produced some staggering numbers for the Italian side with 104 goals and 14 assists in 138 appearances.
However, the best of Cavani was yet to come. Paris St. Germain signed him in 2013 and what followed in the next 7 seasons was scarcely believable. In 301 games for the Parisians, he scored 200 goals and assisted 43 (source – Transfermarkt).
PSG opted not to extend his contract and he is currently without a club. Cavani is an experienced member of the Uruguay side with 116 games and 50 goals to his name.
Why Manchester United must sign Cavani
Let’s go back by four years. It was 2016 and Manchester United had just signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he was released by PSG. He had such an impact within just a year. He played a crucial part in United’s journey to two trophies that season.
It’s hard not to see a deal for Cavani working out in the same way. He has been in great form over the last couple of seasons and United could well do with an experienced head in their attack.
We saw last season how Rashford, Martial and Greenwood were in good touch but they failed to take their chances in crucial games. That cost United two trophies at the end of the season.
It’s clear that United lacked a mature striker and they still do. The addition of Edinson Cavani will not only add to the experience but it will help with the goal count. He can also be used to rest or rotate the frontline players, which in turn would keep all of them fresh.
Verdict
Yes, Cavani isn’t exactly the type of player Manchester United have signed in recent seasons. But he is the best short-term solution they can get at this point in time. Signing Cavani as he solves a lot of their problems up front and is likely to have a Zlatan-esque effect on the team.
