Edinson a menace to defenders – and to his team-mates’ expensive motors
EDINSON CAVANI’S ability to find space and score has made him an instant hero at Manchester United.
But when it comes to finding parking spaces, Cavani is far less clinical, according to United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“I’ve been impressed by his attention to everything,” said Solskjaer.
“Apart from his parking. He’s sometimes parking too close to some of the players and the coaching staff !”
Whi le his Uni ted team-mates may be fearful for their expensive cars when Cavani is behind the wheel, on the pitch it is opponents who are terrorised by the Uruguayan.
Cavani has scored three goals in his last four games for United, including a double in Sunday’s epic 3-2 comeback victory at Southampton, in which he snatched the winner during added time.
When United signed free agent Cavani on transfer deadline day, the move smacked of desperation, given he was available all summer after being released by Paris Saint-Germain.
But his professionalism, work ethic and predatory instincts have vindicated the decision – with the 33-year-old keen to remind his old club what they are missing when United host PSG tonight.
“Edinson is ready to play,” said Solskjaer. “Of course, it’s special for him to play against PSG, his old club, where he’s the top scorer, so that will affect him mentally.
“I think that will give him energy and he’ll be ready.
“He’s so professional, experienced and he will work on his mindset to be ready for the game.
“He’s a top professional. I’ve not been able to get to know him closely due to the language barrier, so we have to talk through someone else. “But he’s meticulous and everything he does is with the intention to be the best footballer he can be, which is also why he’s a very good team-mate, a team player.” As well as parking, Cavani has fallen foul of what is considered acceptable language in England, his Instagram reply ‘ Gracias negrito’ to a friend sparking an FA enquiry and potential ban for its offensive nature. “He’s learned a lesson,” said Solskjaer. “It might affect him, but he’ll have to put it to one side when the game’s on. The best players can put problems or o th e r thoughts away for a whi le a n d perform when they have to.” Solskjaer relishes taking on PSG, having beaten them on both occasions he has faced them as United boss. In March last year, a 3-1 win in Paris put the Reds into the quarterfinals and landed Solskjaer the United job permanently.
And, in October, United repeated that feat, winning 2-1 to give them the perfect start in their quest for a place in the last 16.
“The quicker you can qualify the better,” said Solskjaer. “With a win, we win the group. We want to go out there with attacking intent and to defend well against a top team.
“We’ve had some fantastic European nights at Old Trafford and wish our fans could be here because it’s a Champions League game under the floodlights, with probably some rain as well.
“It will be a quick, wet pitch and those were, for me as a player, the best nights.
“The extra tension and atmosphere was unbelievable when playing against top teams and top players.”