Edinson Cavani will leave United without playing a single minute of five derby matches

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Edinson Cavani did not play for Manchester United against Manchester City on Sunday, despite returning to training at the end of last week.

Cavani’s absence did not come as a surprise, he has not played now for a month, since United’s game against Burnley.

It is not a shock to the theme of the Manchester derby either. Cavani has still never played for United against City, and now it seems he probably won’t again.

Cavani’s derby absences

Since signing for United in October 2020, Edinson Cavani has not been available for any of the five derbies the team has played against Pep Guardiola’s side.

• December 2020: United 0-0 City – Cavani missed out with a minor knock which also kept him out of the away game v RB Leipzig.
• January 2021: United 0-2 City – Cavani was suspended for this Carabao Cup semi-final after the FA banned him for language used in an Instagram post.
• March 2021: City 0-2 United – Cavani featured against Palace days earlier but ‘didn’t feel right‘ in training ahead of the City game and did not make the squad.
• November 2021: United 0-2 City – Having scored a week earlier against Tottenham, Cavani missed this fixture with a tendon problem.
• March 2022: City 4-1 United – Cavani returned to training in the lead-up to the game, but did not feel good enough to play.

Speaking to United’s club website, Ralf Rangnick made clear it was Cavani’s decision. He explained: “Edi trained well in the last three days but, at the end, he didn’t feel quite well enough to be able to play.”

There might be one chance remaining

Cavani now looks set to leave Manchester United when his contract expires without playing a single derby game in two years. It’s a poor record which speaks to the inconsistency of his availability.

There is a small chance Cavani could get one final chance. This could happen if the two teams draw each other in the Champions League.

United have to get past Atletico first, and then, even in a situation where United did draw Manchester City, let’s face it… Edinson Cavani probably won’t be available anyway.