Manchester United have been cautious so far over deadline day signing Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguayan has made three substitute appearances in total, adding up to a combined 56 minutes.
He has not scored yet, although he has looked dangerous, with a goal ruled out for offside against RB Leipzig.
There are two matches before the international break, away to Istanbul Basaksehir and then Everton.
United need to use these matches to try and find out more about the player the club has just signed.
See what he is all about
The game away at Istanbul Basaksehir may be an ideal opportunity to bring Cavani in.
Based on how he performs then, and his fitness following the match, United can then make a decision whether he starts the Everton match.
What is important, is that Cavani starts in one of the matches.
United need to see what he is capable of and give him a chance to start.
It will take more than one game for Cavani to get up to full speed. All players time need to build up a bit of form.
So it is time for United to begin now, rather than leave Cavani waiting until after the international break in late November for his first start for the club.
Anthony Martial will also be available following suspension, which further complicates United’s striker selection decisions.
But neither Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood did themselves any favours against Arsenal.
Can the team play to his strengths?
Part of the challenge with getting the best out of Cavani is learning to play to his strengths.
This comes from simple things like learning his movement and anticipating the runs he will make.
It may also help if Alex Telles is available. This ranges from anything from questionable to unlikely after his positive covid test which has kept him out of the last three games. His crossing could really benefit Cavani’s aerial ability.
Cavani is just getting started, and United need to figure him out.
He is an unknown quantity at the moment, a riddle United need to solve. And you don’t find out anything about him by leaving him on the bench in both of the next two matches.
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