CAVANI RIDES TO THE RESCUE AS RED DEVILS RIDE THEIR LUCK
Uruguay striker comes off the bench to inspire United comeback against stunned Saints
A STRIKER’S best friend? Alex Ferguson would always tell you that the correct answer is “space” and in Edinson Cavani, Manchester United have clearly acquired a striker with a rare sixth sense for that precious commodity.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time against a very good Southampton team, United had looked destined for their fourth Premier League defeat of the season and familiar scrutiny about just how long patience Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should last.
Enter Cavani who, with an assist and two headed goals, including a wonderful 92nd-minute winner, inspired the sort of last-gasp victory with which his new club were once synonymous.
The last United substitute to score or assist with three or more goals was Solskjaer himself back in 1999 and, while it is easy to see a likeness, the manager preferred other comparisons. “He reminds me of Andy Cole with his movements inside the box – so sharp and great timing,” said Solskjaer. “And it is important to have a focal point. We’ve not really had that since Romelu [Lukaku] left. It gives us a great balance. He gets into that space with perfect timing and knows exactly what moment to move.”
The only criticism that Solskjaer could muster was just how long it took Cavani to get ready at half-time – the wrong studs caused a brief delay – but it was well worth the wait when he did emerge. Not only was this United’s eighth straight away win but, judging by the reaction on the United bench, the sort of late victory that just might generate wider momentum.
Cynical
A more cynical assessment is that we were simply seeing how an expensive “get out of jail” card can cover inadequacies elsewhere. It would take a brave pundit to predict any sort of serious title challenge under Solskjaer and, as he approaches his second anniversary, you only have to look at Ralph Hasenhuttl’s impact at Southampton during that same time frame to wonder whether United are still treading water.
Hasenhuttl could not help but mention the quality of United’s substitutes and, at the end of a seven-match unbeaten run, said that his overriding emotion was pride rather than disappointment.
With what looked like a tweaked 4-31-2 formation, United began brightly and might twice have taken an early lead. First, Jan Vestergaard had a serious lapse in concentration and presented Mason Greenwood with a clear run at goal but, having taken the ball around Alex McCarthy, he shot into the side-netting.
Bruno Fernandes then also glanced the outside of McCarthy’s post with an effort from just outside the penalty area. There was an increasing urgency to Southampton’s pressing during the first half and they eventually began pinning United back. From a corner, James WardProwse’s precise cross found Jan Bednarek who, having sprinted between Alex Tellos and Marcus Rashford, glanced his near-post header beyond David de Gea.
Kyle Walker-Peters followed that up with a deflected shot off a post and then Moussa Djenepo, who was causing problems down United’s right, provoked a foul from Fred. There are few better dead-ball exponents just now in Europe than WardProwse and he sent his freekick up over the wall and inside De Gea’s near post. It was his fifth goal direct from a free-kick since the start of last season – a statistic that only Lionel Messi can equal across the top European leagues. United had further first-half chances, notably from a McCarthy
mistake but the goalkeeper recovered to parry Greenwood’s shot and block Bruno Fernandes’s follow-up.
Greenwood was sacrificed as Solskjaer opted for the added physical presence of Cavani alongside Rashford. It was the catalyst for a huge improvement, even if two frustrating misses initially followed. Having raced clear on goal, Rashford ignored Cavani and instead had his shot well saved by McCarthy. Cavani also had a great chance but was unable to keep his volley down.
United, though, were gathering momentum and a deserved goal did come after 59 minutes when Cavani’s run and cross teed up Fernandes’s impressive finish.
Fernandes then turned provider when Cavani (left) deftly guided his header through a crowded penalty area. The Uruguay striker had already turned the match on its head but there was still time for one final flourish. Fernandes fed a free-kick to Rashford, whose cross to the edge of the six-yard box found Cavani who brilliantly glanced a second header beyond McCarthy.
So United are back in the top half of the table after the sort of galvanising win that could provide priceless confidence. “To never give in is a trait that Manchester United players should always have,” said Solskjaer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still hopeful that David de Gea will be fit to face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday after his goalkeeper was forced off at half-time of their 3-2 win against Southampton.
De Gea was struck just above the left knee when he collided with a post in conceding a James Ward-Prowse free-kick in the 33rd minute yesterday and, although he initially played on, the decision was taken at half-time to replace him with Dean Henderson.
He will now be assessed over the next 48 hours, but Solskjaer still believes that there is a good chance that it is nothing more serious than bruising.
“I’m hoping he can be ready for Wednesday,” Solskjaer said.
United also hope that Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay can resume training today. Pogba has not played for Manchester United since November 7 following an ankle injury. Anthony Martial also fell ill in Southampton on Saturday and was forced to stay at the hotel rather than with the matchday squad. (© Daily Telegraph, London)