Edinson Cavani ASKED to start on bench in Man Utd win over Burnley over fitness issues, reveals Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
EDINSON CAVANI asked to start on the bench for Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Burnley on Sunday.
The Uruguayan eventually came on and scored in second-half stoppage time to wrap up the points but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed fitness concerns meant the striker was rested from the start.
With the teams drawing 0-0 at half-time, Solskjaer threw Cavani on in place of Fred in the 46th minute.
And the 34-year-old had an instant impact with Mason Greenwood giving United the lead just two minutes later.
The Clarets pulled one back through James Tarkowski just two minutes after that and it looked like Sean Dyche’s men would hold on for a well deserved point.
But Mason Greenwood’s strike deflected off Jack Cork and in on 84 minutes before Cavani sealed the win in the 93rd minute – tapping in Donny van de Beek’s cross from close range.
After the win, United boss Solskjaer admitted his team’s packed schedule recently meant the former Paris Saint-Germain star thought it would be best to rest him.
The Norwegian said: “We’ve got to manage him well.
“He’s not played or started three games in a week for a long time, so when I spoke to him he felt being a sub was the best thing.”
Cavani played an hour from the start in United’s Europa League win against Granada on Thursday. And that came after a full 90 minutes against Tottenham last weekend.
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Cavani has been a success at Old Trafford since his move at the end of last season but his future is still up in the air and he has been heavily linked with a move to Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
He has scored ten goals in 31 games for United.
But Todo Fichajes claims there is no chance Cavani will be extending his United contract this summer.
It’s now said that a Boca deal is close to completion, with Cavani eager to be closer to his family in South America.
However, all parties will remain tight-lipped for the time being.
And confirmation will only come once the current English football season comes to an end.
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