Manchester United’s young strike trio of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Mason Greenwood enjoyed a tremendous 2019/20 season.
Martial scored 23 goals, Rashford 22, and Greenwood 17. Each of them could have netted more, had it not been for injury, or in Greenwood’s case, being held back at the start.
In normal circumstances, the trio would be raring to go again, ready to try and each set new personal bests this coming season. And it would be sensible on United’s part not to disrupt that.
But what we have seen already is that this is no normal season. There has been only a brief break, and there is both mental and physical fatigue at play.
That is why a helping hand from new signing Edinson Cavani is exactly what United need, both short term and long term.
Right player at the right time
It has been a slow start for the young trio. Martial is yet to score, Rashford has two, and Greenwood one.
With each player aiming to better their previous contribution, there is a risk they start getting anxious if the slow start continues, and this further affects their play.
That’s why bringing in Cavani is the right call. The Uruguayan’s arrival brings freshness to the attack, and takes the pressure off the young trio.
Cavani is used to pressure. He was Napoli’s top striker, and has dealt with it for seven years at PSG.
He will be desperate to prove he has still got it, and will want to be a success at Old Trafford for the sake of his own pride, as much as the team’s results.
Long-term, Cavani won’t hinder the development of Greenwood or Martial in the same way a move for say Harry Kane, 27, might have done, who would have a five-years plus stint in the team.
Cavani is on a two-year contract, which United can get out of after one if necessary, and by time he is done, Rashford, Greenwood, and Martial will be better for it. As a stop-gap, United could not ask for a better player.
Succeeding as a Manchester United striker is about doing it for more than just one season. There needs to be relentless consistency.
This young trio have a fantastic opportunity now to learn from a player who has been one of the world’s best strikers over the past decade.
With 35 goals, Cavani is the joint 17th highest goalscorer in the history of the European Cup/Champions League, and he has more than 300 career strikes at club level.
From the way he approaches the game, to his actions on the pitch, to the technical details of his positioning and shooting, Cavani can teach these young strikers a lot.
At a moment when a combination of a hectic schedule, fan, media and personal expectation create extra pressure, Cavani is the right addition at the right time for United.
Competition for places is always welcome, and his presence alone should challenge United’s talented attackers into raising their games.
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