Edinson Cavani’s latest injury was a sadly predictable setback. The Uruguayan will miss Manchester United’s crunch Europa League tie against AC Milan.
Cavani has been out of action with increasing regularity recently, and he is becoming less of an asset.
His lack of reliability puts a new spin on United’s summer transfer window, from which he was the most productive aspect, previously.
High hopes come crashing down
United supporters hoped for marquee names last summer and they did not arrive. The squad was strengthened but the first choice XI was not.
Alex Telles is merely a back-up, Donny van de Beek has started only two league games, and while Amad Diallo is an outstanding prospect, he has not played a single Premier League minute yet.
Cavani has started only nine league games. He was a short-term fix, and the move is panning out that way.
Solskjaer deserves more respect
So last summer’s transfer business has barely amounted to anything on the pitch so far. Yes, Cavani has had a couple of flashy moments in wins over Southampton and Everton. Beyond that, he has not contributed a great deal.
It underlines what a poor job United’s board did in the transfer market last summer. Cavani was a only signed in a late deal because United’s other moves had fallen through.
He’s done what he can, and what his body will allow, but clearly at 34, that can only take him so far.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves more respect for what he has done this season.
No there aren’t any trophies yet, but Solskjaer wasn’t really given a team to win one. He has made use largely of what he had last season.
For United to be in second place in the Premier League right now is a mini-miracle in itself.
Solskjaer was badly let down last summer, with the starting XI not substantially strengthened. Amad Diallo may eventually make the 2020 summer transfer window look like a big success long-term, but as to this season, the signings have not contributed what United fans hoped for heading into the summer.
This summer needs to be better. The board owe it to Solskjaer to deliver on his first choice targets.
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