Andy Cole and Roy Keane are in complete disagreement on how Manchester United should handle Edinson Cavani this summer.
The Uruguayan forward is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and is currently weighing up his future.
United are keen to secure his services for another season after his impressive contribution this term but Cavani has reservations about penning a new deal.
So far he has chipped in with 12 goals in 33 matches, though virtually half of those appearances have come as a substitute.
The 34-year-old does not want to stick around to be back-up to United's other attackers and has also missed his family in South America during the coronavirus pandemic, which is playing a part in his impending decision.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to keep the experienced frontman, but not all of his ex-United teammates share the same view.
Former striker Cole is in no two minds that Cavani is a valuable member of the team.
"I’d be really happy to see him stay. If you look at his performances for Manchester United so far they have been brilliant," Cole told Sky Sports.
"At 34, you see the goals he’s getting and when he does play Manchester United have that pivotal man up front.
"They know they can play through him with his hold-up play. Watch the goal he got in midweek against Roma, his link-up play there was fantastic with how he slipped Bruno [Fernandes] in.
"This for me personally shows that Manchester United need an out-and-out No.9 and if he stays I think it would be great for the club."
However, ex-United captain Keane believes sticking with Cavani will only hinder United's chances of winning the title.
"Cavani is a good point, because I kind of hope in one sense they don’t keep him," Keane told Sky Sports. "Because then they might look at it and go, 'We don’t need to go out and get another striker'. It might be an easy way out.
"He’s 34. If you’re hanging your hat on Cavani next year to get Man United back to winning league titles, forget about it."
Keane would like to see United push to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham, and although Cole is backing Cavani's talents, he conceded the veteran was only a short-term option.
"You do get to that stage where you’re going to question someone’s age," Cole added. "But once you brought him [Cavani] in you know what you’re going to get. If you can keep him fit which they have done then he’s going to get you goals.
"This gives Manchester United the opportunity that if he stays there for another year then they can look further ahead and say, 'Next year this is who we’re going to try and bring in'.
"But until then we’ve got this fella who can score goals and it’s as simple as that for them."
