Edinson Cavani is Manchester United's best striker; it's as simple as that. I could end this piece here, but I doubt that many of you reading are fully convinced of this, so I shall go on.
Cavani embodies everything a United striker should be. His never say die attitude was evident. Even after only being on the pitch for half the match, he became the team's most deadly outlet up front and capped it off with a well-taken goal after Newcastle United's defence blocked his first effort.
His movement is also something that even Cristiano Ronaldo seems to lack, and it looks pretty odd to me that the all-time record goalscorer needs to follow another forward's example, but here we are.
In a team where Ronaldo is meant to be the talisman, it sets a bad example to the rest of the team when he plays poorly, then proceeds to act like it's everyone else's fault and go straight down the tunnel at the end of the game.
Gary Neville summarised this in his post-match comments on Sky Sports, saying, "I don't think he [Cavani] wilts in the presence of Ronaldo or Fernandes. I think he stands up to them and helps the younger players. I think he needs to be on the pitch because they need to get rid of that whingeing attitude."
Neville had said earlier on in the match that there were too many 'whinge bags' on United's team, but as you can see, he was full of praise for Cavani. I believe that is a feeling that many fans have for the Uruguayan forward, whose recent rumours of a move away to FC Barcelona was met with shock and anger by the fanbase.
But unlike some other players, it wasn't at the fact that he wanted to leave. It was more that they would lose a player who has fast become a fan favourite.
Ralf Rangnick's post-match comments, however, may do a lot to quell fans fears, as he said about the Uruguayan: "[Edinson] Cavani is a top striker who has been out with injury but it was good to have him on board again and to bring him on at half-time."
Mason Greenwood was allowed to prove himself, which he didn't take against Newcastle and Marcus Rashford consistently declining form is a massive cause for concern for Rangnick and the United fanbase. Still, strangely for a 34-year-old striker who joined on a free transfer, Cavani is one of the only players you can consider consistent.
Yes, he has injury problems that have blighted his time at United, but he always performs to a high standard and never lacks effort when he plays. It is safe to say United fans, such as myself, will be sad when he most likely leaves when his contract expires at the end of this season.
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