Edinson Cavani’s status as a Manchester United player for next season is questionable as his contract expires.
The Mail report United have held a meeting with Cavani to discuss his plans for next season, with Cavani concerned he will be reduced to a back-up role if the club sign a new striker.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is clear; United need Cavani more than ever this weekend.
Only ‘fit’ forward?
Cavani’s fitness record has been worrisome over the past two months. He has just one start since February 14.
This weekend, he could be United’s only fit forward.
All three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood could be passed fit for the fixture, but at this stage, the trio are all questionable to play against Brighton on Sunday.
Rashford has missed all three of England’s games with an ankle injury, while Greenwood pulled out of the England under-21 side.
Anthony Martial picked up a minor knee injury playing for France on Sunday, and was left out of their starting side to face Bosnia-Herzegovina last night.
Martial will have to be assessed by the medical team upon his return to Carrington.
This leaves Cavani as the team’s freshest available striker, as fortunately the South American World Cup qualifying games were postponed until summer, and he was able to remain at Carrington to train and work on his fitness.
A real chance for Cavani
If Cavani wants to prove a point to United, that he can be relied upon, then he needs to step up this weekend.
Another late injury or a dud of a performance would be a big checkmark against him when analysing his future.
But in one sense, his future doesn’t really matter this weekend. He’s here now, and United need him to contribute.
United still have a lot to play for, and this Sunday’s game will be either a chance to gain ground on City, pull further away from Leicester, or both, if the match between them is a draw on Saturday.
A strong performance from Cavani will also set him up nicely for a key role in the Europa League quarter-finals against Granada next Thursday.
With his last United goal coming back on February 6, it’s time Cavani reminded everybody just how good he is.
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