It hasn’t necessarily been the most pleasant weekend for Manchester United fans. Coming off the back of a 2-0 loss to arch rivals Liverpool, the Red Devils were then dealt the feared confirmation that Marcus Rashford is set to be out for a minimum of two months with a back injury.
In perspective, the latter was undoubtedly the worst-dreaded scenario of the two. Rashford had been enjoying his best ever goal-scoring season for United, establishing himself as the side’s most prolific and most important forward in the side.
The news has therefore led onto fans fearing the worst for the remainder of the season, as the club desperately need to push for a top four finish. Looking at the lack of attacking options and depth in the squad, it’s clear that United have to dive into the transfer market for an emergency signing.
Cavani available for cut price
Striking a deal in January is not exactly the most straightforward task, particularly when it comes to a club the size of Manchester United. The club’s profile is often exploited by others during transfer windows, purely because their lavish financial resources are so well publicly known.
As we have seen through the Bruno Fernandes fiasco, deals tend to be prolonged and drawn out, as teams try and push their luck with their asking prices for players. However, in the case of Edinson Cavani, that wouldn’t be much of an issue.
Via Paris-Saint Germain’s Sporting Director, the striker has handed in a transfer request this month, following a sever lack of game time. The Uruguayan has fallen out of favour under Thomas Tuchel, predominantly due to the arrival of Mauro Icardi.
Atletico Madrid have been heavily linked with the PSG player, but reports have stated that the Spanish side have recently failed with a bid. Despite falling short of the French club’s asking price, both Tuchel and the PSG director have admitted that they are unsure whether Cavani will still be in France, come February.
Whilst this may sound like your usual transfer gossip, the fact that the forward is available for a free in the summer does add more fuel to the fire. It is clear that Cavani will not be extending with PSG, making him available for a cut price this month.
A good fit for United?
With Rashford out injured, that leaves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the options of Mason Greenwood, Daniel James and Anthony Martial as his front three, for the remainder of the season. Given the fact that the club are actively competing in three major competitions, it’s clear that attackig reinforcements are needed.
On paper, Cavani doesn’t look to fit the mold of profile of signing that the Norwegian is looking to rebuild with, but United have found themselves in an emergency situation. The striker is one of the most prolific attackers in Europe, boasting a goalscoring record of 20+ strikes every single season over the last decade. (Excluding current)
Known for his focal presence on the field, to which he excels in holding up the ball and bringing fellow attackers into play, the Uruguayan can offer a different dimension to United’s frontline. We have predominantly seen Cavani play as a no.9 with two inside forwards in support throughout his career, making him the ideal figure to play alongside the likes of James and Martial.
Having a striker with the build of the PSG forward would benefit United’s pacey frontrunners, as he is able to drop deep and create space in-behind for the other forwards to run into. His ability to linkup play and transition attacks has been highlighted during his time in France, with his unselfish play aiding the success of both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Ed Woodward has to act
Whilst United have not exactly been strangers to injury crises in the past, this current situation is simply not one they can makeshift out of. Rashford has been the club’s best player this season, and nobody else in the squad can replicate his influence inside the final third.
The Englishman is the focal point to the side’s attacking system and without him for the next couple of months, the club need to find a solution, and fast. Such a scenario simply has to deal Ed Woodward’s hand for him, otherwise the club will be facing no Champions League football for the fifth time in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Sitting five points behind fourth placed Chelsea, the side is still mathematically in a position to prevent this from happening. In an inflated transfer market where concluding pragmatic deals has become almost impossible for United, Cavani could well provide as an absolute gem for the club.
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