Manchester United took on a little gamble with a move for Edinson Cavani at the transfer deadline.
It is a move which already looks like paying off, with the Uruguayan making a positive impact even in a stop-start opening three months.
Now with United in the midst of a Premier League title battle, at least for the time being, Cavani’s experience could come in invaluable.
Cavani has won numerous titles in his career with PSG, six in total, and he knows what it is like to keep consistency high and approach matches against ‘smaller teams’ with the right mindset and deal with pressure.
The striker spoke to the club website ahead of the game with Fulham and is urging his teammates to approach the match with the right intensity.
Cavani said: “It was also a similar situation for me when I was at PSG. Teams try to do the impossible to get a victory against one of the most legendary and best teams in the world. So ensuring we are focused and concentrated on this, should give us the energy to want to fight for this badge.
“And, right now, that we are top of the league, to also want to fight to stay right where we are. For all that, we need to be ready and mentally prepared to compete
.”
United have slipped down to second place as a result of Leicester’s win over Chelsea, while City could temporarily leapfrog us by beating Aston Villa in tonight’s early kick-off.
This will give United a little extra motivation to win against Fulham and move back into first place.
United need composure
Solskjaer spoke after the Liverpool game about United needing to be more confident in big games.
The United boss told Sky: “We were stronger towards the end. We didn’t start at all in the first half. We didn’t have any composure or try to impose ourselves.”
Cavani was part of the reason United got better in the second half after coming on with half an hour to go. It was just unfortunate none of the big chances fell to him.
United’s inexperienced front line of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood is packed with talent, but lacks Cavani’s know-how. He has been there and done it in big games when the pressure is really on.
That’s why his signing could turn out to be a masterstroke. United had no right to expect a title challenge when he signed, but after 18 games, Solskjaer’s side are right in the midst of it, and long may it continue.
A couple of extra title winners too
United’s other major summer signings were Donny van de Beek and Alex Telles.
Both of these players are yet to force their way into the starting line up as regulars, but could also prove to be important pieces as the season runs down.
Alex Telles has won the league in Portugal with with Porto and once in Turkey with Galatasaray. Donny van de Beek also won the Eredivise with Ajax.
United wanted to add winners to the squad and that’s what Solskjaer did in the summer. As the season ticks down, all three could make a big difference.
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