Edinson Cavani came off the bench at half-time to inspire Manchester United to a spectacular win over Southampton.
United were 2-0 down despite largely dominating the game. The team failed to take their chances and were punished for it.
Mason Greenwood was unusually wasteful and off his game and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a decisive change. United were better off for it.
Cavani set one goal up and then scored two goals himself from headers, including an injury time winner.
The Uruguayan was full of energy, putting himself about, drifting wide when he needed to, and then getting into goalscoring positions inside the box when it mattered.
It made it look a little of a gamble by not starting him, although United were clearly looking ahead to the midweek game with PSG.
Cavani rescued United in the same way Robin van Persie did at St Mary’s back in 2012. He might yet be able to have a similarly galvanising effect as the Dutchman.
Cavani will shake up the Premier League
Cavani has made clear already he is not at United for a pay-check to wind down his career. He is here to compete, win matches, and win trophies.
He has not even started a Premier League game yet and he still has three goals to his name. Already this puts him in the top 20 scorers in the division for the season.
United have made a very shrewd move signing Cavani. And clubs across Europe appear to have missed a trick.
Cavani has a chance to compete for the Golden Boot if he gets a real run in the side and he makes United a better team.
United’s problem has for a long time been that the side is too wasteful.
Even though Rashford, Martial and Greenwood score goals, they have all been erratic this season.
Greenwood missed two clear cut opportunities in the first half and Rashford was guilty of doing so in the second half, when he could have crossed to Cavani for a tap in.
Cavani got his goals anyway, instinctively scoring two headers and he had one go just wide earlier too.
United were already a dangerous team, just one lacking a razor sharp edge. Cavani gives us that, and can help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side fulfil their potential.
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