Away at Granada on Thursday night, Alex Telles sent in a wondrous cross which was just begging to be attacked. Edinson Cavani was closest, and yet was nowhere near.
There were some murmurs among United supporters that a fully committed Cavani would have thrown himself at the ball to try and score a diving header. Perhaps there was some truth in that.
In recent games Cavani has seemed to be going through the motions, with fans worried he has ‘checked out’ amid speculation he could return to South America.
If this was the case, then Cavani needed a jolt to fire him up. He got it against Tottenham.
The Uruguayan looked furious when his perfectly good goal was ruled out in the first half against Tottenham, with a VAR check ruling Scott McTominay had committed a foul in the build-up. It was a farcical decision.
Rather than down tools in frustration, Cavani was all pumped up. He got involved in an altercation with Joe Rodon late in the first half, and came out after half-time like a man possessed.
His movement was too much for Tottenham to handle, with Cavani playing a role in United’s equaliser, exchanging passes with Fred and having a shot saved before the Brazilian netted the rebound.
The real masterpiece was Cavani’s diving header. It was the perfect illustration of how his attitude changed during the game.
Whether it be a concerted effort to win after feeling wronged, or muscle memory kicking in amid the adrenaline, Cavani looked like he was suddenly five years younger and playing at his peak.
This was the biggest game Cavani had scored in for United, and the most significant.
It can be a launch pad for him to kick on between now and the end of the season, and potentially bring United silverware with the Europa League.
Whether he stays or not, will ultimately be a mix of transfer strategy, dependent on if United can land other key targets, and what Cavani wants to do.
This was the type of match which may persuade the striker to stay. It showed him he can still cut it against a top opponent, and he will have felt a real rush out of playing such a key role in deciding the game.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the club website after the game he wants Cavani to stick around so he can celebrate with supporters.
The manager explained: “He’s not been able to experience the fantastic culture in Manchester and in and around in England, and he is contemplating and thinking hard and long about what he wants to do and I understand. He knows what we want; I want him in Old Trafford when it’s full, Stretford End scoring a diving header like today. There’s no better feeling, so let’s wait and see.”
This was the type of match which may just convince Cavani to give it one more year.
It was a game to bring the squad closer together, and a moment to savour. If this is it for Cavani, and he leaves in the summer, at least he will be able to look back on it fondly. You could see what it meant to him with the passion etched onto his face in celebration.
After the thorny issue of his FA ban, you could not blame Cavani for looking for an escape route from English football. Cavani will have fallen back in love with United on Sunday, and he has given supporters a memory to look back on and watch again and again. He may stay for many more.
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