ED DRIVING HIS BOSS A LITTLE MAD
Cavani can’t park says Solskjaer
EDINSON CAVANI has proved to be the perfect addition on the pitch – but a liability in the car park, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Uruguay striker is set to lead the line for Manchester United against his former club Paris Saint- Germain tonight having impressed players and coaching staff with his professionalism and character.
Manager Solskjaer’s only quibble is that Cavani could do with some practice parking his car at their Carrington base.
“I’ve not been able to get to know him really closely because of the language barrier so we have to talk through someone else,” said Solskjaer.
“But he has been so professional and so meticulous and everything he does he does with the intention to be the best footballer he can be.
“He is also a very good team- mate and a team player so I’ve been impressed by his attention to everything – apart from his parking that is.
“He’s parking close to some of players and coaching staff.”
United go into their penultimate Group H match needing a point to secure qualification for the knockout stage.
If they fail to gain it they have a second bite too the the of the cherry at RB Leipzig next week in the group finale. But in Cavani they could not have a striker in better form, after his two goals against Southampton, or with a bigger reason to perform given his time at PSG.
Cavani scored 138 goals in 200 appearances over seven seasons for the French champions – a period during which his relationship with superstar Neymar was said to be strained.
Solskjaer admitted Cavani is fired up. “It’s special for him to play against PSG, where he’s the top scorer, so that’ll affect him mentally but it will give him energy.”
Cavani’s impending sanction from the FA over an ill- judged Instagram post may also play on his mind.
But Solskjaer said: “He will work on his mindset to be ready for the game.
“He has learnt a lesson. It might affect him but he’ll have to put it to one side when the game’s on. The best players put thoughts away for a while.”
United are now ninth in the Premier League, just five points behind leaders Tottenham with a game in hand, raising hopes that Solskjaer’s side might yet mount a title challenge.