Cavani has been drafted in to Old Trafford as United moved desperately to bring in a new face with the clock ticking towards the transfer deadline and no hopes of landing Jadon Sancho
Two days before the end of a frustrating transfer window for Man Utd and they’ve finally sealed their second major signing.
It’s not Jadon Sancho, nor Ousmane Dembele – at least not yet. But instead 33-year-old veteran Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguayan is set to sign a two-year deal, and his arrival has come somewhat out of the blue, despite United holding talks with the player earlier in the window.
And on a mammoth £200,000-per-week contract, all the signs are pointing to a move filled with desperation from a United perspective.
Their failure to land Sancho or build on their progress of last season has forced United to plump for a Plan B.
A panic buy? Perhaps. But whatever Cavani’s role, his signing has already spelt the end of one player’s United career.
While Cavani’s transfer is a shock, it’s certainly not as surprising as their move for Odion Ighalo on deadline day back in January.
Ighalo was seen as a last-minute stop gap to provide cover to United’s strikers, seemingly as the couldn’t get Cavani or any of their other preferred targets in.
The Nigerian – a lifelong United fan – jumped at the chance of moving to Old Trafford, admitting it was a “dream come true”.
Sadly for Ighalo that dream is now coming to an end.
Despite providing a decent goal return in his first months at the club, the gloss of Ighalo’s early form has worn off, and United’s fans are now growing impatient.
The failure to sign Sancho has been the main driver, but arguably so too has Ighalo’s most recent form. Continue reading