Arrived at the Red Devils at the beginning of October, El Matador needed a period of adaptation to acclimatize to a new country, a new championship and to his new team. Over time, the Uruguayan, who turns 34 this Sunday, has established himself as one of the major players in the Mancunian squad.
On October 5, the Edinson Cavani soap opera ended. Free of any contract since his departure from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of June, the Uruguayan was announced in several formations. It was finally in England, at Manchester United, that the striker decided to pursue his career. But his debut with the Mancunian jersey was delicate.
Difficult beginnings
Barely arrived at the Red Devils, the center forward suffers a setback. The former Napoli player, who was already lacking in rhythm since he had not played any official match for several months, is obliged to undergo a period of quarantine after contracting COVID-19 in Ibiza, during his vacation with his Parisian friends. An unforeseen event that prevents it from taking its marks directly, and to return to his former garden, the Parc des Princes, on the occasion of the first leg of the group stages of the Champions League against PSG on October 20. El Matador therefore made his debut a few days later, on October 24, at home against Chelsea. He comes into play and plays a little more than half an hour without managing to score despite several good situations. Subsequently, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer again let him off the bench so that he could find the rhythm of the competition. In early November, against Everton (1-3), he scored his first goal in his new colors in the dying moments of added time, after replacing Anthony Martial in the 82nd. He is once again decisive both in November with two goals and an assist against Southampton, allowing his team to reverse the situation (2-3).
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Edinson Cavani had his first Premier League start the following week. But while we could imagine that he was launched, he was cut off in his tracks by a small injury which took him away from the lawns for three matches. He returned to the pitch at the end of December, scored against Leicester (2-2), but was suspended three meetings due to a post on social networks in which he had used the term “negrito” to thank a supporter ; a term qualified as racist by the FA which would nevertheless have another meaning in South America. The Uruguayan striker recently admitted that he had encountered difficulties in his debut with his new club: “I still think that it is always difficult to settle down and adapt to a different place, to a new culture, to different customs. Change is always difficult, as is moving to a new location. Even if you try to totally immerse yourself in it and settle in quickly, there is a lot going on around us that makes this process a little more difficult than usual. But, of course, you have your family life at home, it’s never just about football, ”he told United Review, in comments reported by Goal.
Edinson Cavani’s record career at Paris Saint-Germain
Become essential by its performances and its state of mind
Faced with these complications, El Matador took the bull by the horns. Since the start of the year, the Uruguayan seems to have distanced himself from the problems. He goes on matches and has also scored three goals in seven Premier League games. Bringing his total to 6 goals in 16 league appearances. But above all, he has established himself as an essential part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad who is still in the race for the Premier League podium. His good performances forced the Norwegian coach to make some adjustments and among other things to change the role of Anthony Martial. Aligned most often at the center-forward position last season, the French international now finds himself on the left side of the Mancunian attack from time to time. Beyond his good performances, Edinson Cavani is praised for his state of mind: “He guides by example, he does his job professionally. It’s his passion, he loves football, he likes to work hard for the team, explained the technician from Mancunia to Sky Sports. With him, it’s never me before the others, the team always comes first. If he makes a mistake, he always tries to fix it. If he races to the near post and misses, he will do it again and again. He believes in what he has done his whole life as a footballer. ” This Sunday (3 p.m.), on Valentine’s Day, Edinson Cavani once again has the opportunity to conquer the hearts of Mancunian supporters by shaking the nets against West Bromwich Albion. At the same time, he can offer himself a nice gift on his 34th birthday.
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