TOO OLD TRAFFORD

Cavani is past it... United needed Haaland or K ane

PRIME TARGET: Spurs striker Harry Kane

Cavani, 33, has joined United on a free transfer after leaving Paris St- Germain in June and agreed a 12- month deal at Old Trafford with the option for a second season.

The Uruguayan striker has scored more than 300 goals in his career and won the Golden Boot in both Serie A and Ligue 1.

But Scholes reckons Cavani is past his best and has questioned the wisdom of United’s decision to sign the veteran forward.

United legend Scholes said: “Obviously, in his day, he’s been a top- quality centre- forward. “But he’s 33 years old and looked like he was going to retire. He’s not played a lot of football for PSG last season. “Five, six years ago, yeah, he’s a great signing, he’ll take us on to that next level possibly. I just don’t think he’ll take us to the next level now.

“But that’s what United seems to be now. When

JOB TO DO: Scholes dishes out the bibs at Salford and Cavani in action for PSG you think of the forwards we’ve had, I think Cavani should be a loan signing.

“If you’re struggling without a centre- forward, it should be a two or three- month loan signing, just to get through a sticky period, similar to what Henrik Larsson did.

“He was a brilliant, brilliant centreforward, 33, 34 years of age. He just filled a little gap for us, which was exactly what we needed.

“I see Cavani as that kind of person, not at 33 coming to sign a two- year contract. I find it very strange. But he won’t, he’ll be loving it. I’m sure he will.”

Scholes, who has taken temporary charge at Salford following the sacking of Graham Alexander, reckons United should have tried to sign strikers Harry ry Kane or Erling Braut aut Haaland this summer instead nstead of pursuing winger Jadon Sancho.

He added: “The problem with United’s forwards is that none of them is an actual centre- forward.

“( Anthony) Martial ( inset)

almost conned us into thinking he was one towards the end of last season because he scored so many ny goals and he was good.

“He’s started the season quite te poor again, which makes you think nk he isn’t one, so it’s misleading, g, which is why I kept saying that we need a top- class No. 9 – Kane or Haaland.

“I think Haaland is sensational. I think he’ll be up there with th Ronaldo and Messi, from what I’ve ve seen so far. That’s why I never felt elt Jadon Sancho was the right type of player, because we’ve got three of that type of player already.

“So to spend £ 100m, I didn’t n’t think it was right anyway, so I wasn’t that disappointed.” United have confirmed Cavani will not be available for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle after he was forced to undergo a two- week isolation period following his arrival in the UK from Paris. Cavani will be available to travel to old club PSG in the Champions League next Tuesday.

Martial will also miss the trip to Tyneside as he starts a three- match ban following his red card in the 6- 1 defeat to Tottenham.

ON THE UP: Erling Braut Haaland