Three reasons Edinson Cavani should start for United against Roma

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Manchester United are hoping to strike it fifth time lucky as the team play another semi-final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this week.

It is important for United to get the team selection right, and one of the big decisions centres over who should start up front.

Solskjaer has a choice between veteran Edinson Cavani and youngster Mason Greenwood.

Greenwood could of course start on the right, with Cavani up front, and that could be the right call.

Here is a look at three reasons why Solskjaer should go with Cavani from the start…

He’s fresh and rested

Cavani was rested against Leeds, playing just six minutes from the bench, having had a week between the Burnley game, when he played just 45 minutes.

If he was not being rested with the intention to keep him fresh for the Roma game, then why sit him on the bench for so long at Elland Road?

It seems Solskjaer was saving Cavani for this game, and it makes sense for United to use him while we can. After all, he may not be here next season.

Big game experience

This would be Cavani’s first semi-final for United, having harshly missed the Carabao Cup match with City in January due to suspension. This is United’s chance to fix the setbacks of the past, and try something different.

These are the games Cavani should thrive in. He has big game experience at World Cups and Copa Americas, and in the Champions League with PSG.

Cavani scored in the quarter-final against Granada, and also in the Carabao Cup quarters. When United need him, he should step up.

He showed his quality recently in the win over Tottenham, scoring a terrific header, helping United to play one of the best 90 minutes of the season.

He is used to facing Italian clubs

Roma will be a tough side to go up against, and Cavani’s experience against Italian teams will help.

Cavani spent several seasons at Napoli and has a record of nine goals in 12 games against Roma.

Italian teams have a reputation of being strong defensively and United saw this against AC Milan, netting just twice over two legs.

Cavani won’t be daunted by the occasion or the opposition, and is United’s best bet to breaking Roma down.

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