Edinson Cavani has signed a contract extension with Manchester United that keeps him at Old Trafford till 2022.
The Uruguayan striker has been an integral player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer of 2020. Cavani has 20 goals and assists in 35 games for the club so far and has been integral to their success in the Premier League and in Europe.
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Cavani was linked with a move away from Manchester United at the end of the season and the reports indicated he was keen to move back to South America for personal reasons, with River Plate and Boca Juniors suggested as possible clubs interested.
However, El Matador has ended all the speculation and decided to stay in Manchester for one more season. In a statement on the club website Cavani said that “Over the season, I have developed a great affection for the club and everything that it represents. I feel a deep bond with my team-mates and the staff who work behind the scenes here. They give me extra motivation every day and I know that, together, we can achieve special things.
“From the very first moment that I arrived, I felt the confidence of the manager. As a player, this belief gives you the perfect opportunity to play your best football and I want to thank him for that.
“I have been touched with how much the supporters have wanted me to stay, and I will give everything to bring them happiness and joy with my performances on the field. I’ve not yet been able to play in front of the Old Trafford crowd and that is something that I cannot wait to do.”
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Cavani’s contract extension is one of the most important pieces of business that Manchester United will do this year as they look to push on next season and compete for the league title. Cavani has been crucial to United’s form in the latter half of the season and has scored eight goals in his last seven games for the club.
What stands out about the Uruguayan is his predatory instincts as a striker and his unrivalled movement in the box. Cavani is averaging the highest xG per shot (0.22) in the league this season. What this means is that the Uruguayan is consistently getting high-quality chances and getting into the best shooting positions out of all the players in the league due to his elite movement as a striker.
Cavani is also second amongst forwards in terms of goals per 90 minutes in the league this season (0.69) and his hold up play and impact off the bench has lifted the standards of this Manchester United team this season. The Uruguayan has also had a positive impact on the likes of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford who can learn first-hand about Cavani’s work ethic and incredible movement within the box.
With the striker position settled for at least another year, this gives United the freedom to pursue a centre back, central midfielder and a right-winger such as Jadon Sancho as they look to compete with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City next season.
[Image Credit: Edison Cavani]
Shivaan Shah