BEVERLY HILLS, April 30, (THEWILL) – Edinson Cavani rolled back the years and gave his side, English Premier League club, Manchester United, more than enough reasons to ask themselves some questions about his continued part in their structure going forward.
The Uruguayan is out of contract in the summer and there has been speculations that he may leave, especially as comments from his father, which angered the United fan base, indicated the player’s wish to leave and return to play at home. However, the veteran striker’s impact has been immense throughout the season and it will be in United’s favour to extend his stay for another season.
Not since the exit of dangerous finisher, Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku in 2019 has there been such a target man and consistent finisher for the Red Devils. He illustrated the world-class capability of his range for the Old Trafford faithfuls again on Thursday when United hosted Serie A side Roma in the first leg of their semi-final fixture of the UEFA Europa League.
Just as it was beginning to seem dire with Roma leading at the break, Cavani and Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes scored as the hosts came from behind to beat their Serie A co-semifinalists 6-2 in a thrilling first leg of their Europa League semi-final, that all but confirmed their ticket for the final of this season’s second tier European competition.
Cavani’s assist for the lead goal by Fernandes was a display of his excellent vision in the frontline but it was his goal, when the roles were reversed and Fernandes produced the assist, that was a beauty to watch. In a lightning transition for defense to attack, Cavani pounced on the throughball and with the inside of his foot left the Roma goalkeeper, Pau Lopez, no other option but to pick the ball out of the net and draw United level.
The striker’s second goal was a poacher’s dream. Only a few of United’s strikers of yore were this efficient and none of the current team have been seen doing this of late. Roma’s Antonio Mirante fumbled a clearance and, inside the six yards box, there was Cavani with an eye for goal taking advantage of his excellent positioning to put United in front again in the semi-final.
But, he was not done for the night. Team coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer introduced Mason Greenwood late in the game as a replacement for Marcus Rashford and Cavani made it a special night for the young player. His assist for Greenwood’s goal was a breathtaking pass from the outside of his boot, another reminder of his immense abilities and class even at the ripe age of 34.
It was truly a remarkable display and a memorable performance for the Uruguayan, certainly one of his best in the Red Devils side. Two goals to one down and with their terrible records at semi-finals, it was beginning to seem their miseries were about to collapse on them in the silverware chase. But Old Trafford came alive when Cavani stepped up, and working closely with the talismanic Fernandes, turned it into a stomping ground for the hosts.
It will be easy to conclude that United have a final berth and if Arsenal can turn around their own mishap against their former manager Unai Emery and Villarreal, after their dismal 2-1 loss in the other semi-final, it may be an all-English UEL final as it was in 2019 where Emery’s Arsenal lost to Chelsea.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
