Solskjaer unsure on Cavani fitness ahead of clash at the Bridge
EDINSON Cavani faces a race against time to be fit for United’s Premier League trip to Chelsea today with the Uruguayan keen to play an active part in training before returning to the side.
Cavani has missed the Reds’ latest three games through injury and while Solskjaer is hoping he will be fit for action at Stamford Bridge he won’t miss the 34-year-old.
The striker still hadn’t trained with his team-mates before the draw with Real Sociedad and Solskjaer revealed Cavani is a player keen to go through a hard training session before playing, which could mean he remains absent against a Chelsea side managed by his former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel.
“Honestly, I hope but I don’t know. I have got to say he has still not trained with the team and he is one of those who wants to train really hard before he plays,” Solskjaer said of Cavani’s fitness.
“Hopefully he will say to me on Saturday ‘I am ready’ but I don’t know because has not trained with us.”
United have been beset by injuries of late and Paul Pogba has missed five games with a thigh injury and he is not due back this weekend.
Solskjaer doesn’t expect to see the World Cup winner back in time for next weekend’s Manchester derby, but he is hopeful he will return after the March international break to play a crucial role in the run-in.
Pogba’s injury came at a time when he was producing his best form for United for two years, but Solskjaer is confident he can hit his stride again after his recovery.
“Paul was really coming to his best, his form was brilliant, his fitness was brilliant,” he said.
“Of course it was a big blow for us
to lose him now in this important period but hopefully after the international break at least, so in April, May, we have got Paul back, hopefully before.
“But when he comes back, he is going to be a fresh addition.”