Manchester United will not rush Edinson Cavani back into action this season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer learnt how to get the best out of the striker last term.
Cavani took a while to get up to full fitness in 2020/21 but he ended the season in superb form, scoring 10 goals in his final 11 games of the campaign.
The 34-year-old signed a new one-year contract extension with United on the back of that form, having strongly considered a return to South America in the summer instead.
But United's decision to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club means Cavani's place as first-choice centre forward has been usurped and he's played just 37 minutes for the club this season, as a second-half substitute at Wolves.
The Uruguayan has missed the games against Newcastle and Young Boys this week having picked up a knock in a practice game in training and he won't make the trip to West Ham on Sunday either.
He could return for the Carabao Cup game with the Hammers at Old Trafford on Wednesday but Solskjaer knows he needs a Cavani who is fully fit to get the best out of him this season.
"Edinson hopefully will start training with us after the weekend, maybe Monday, so maybe involved on Wednesday," said Solskjaer.
"He had a fantastic season last season, the impact he made when he got his fitness, he struggled with niggly injuries early on. We feel that to get the best out of him this season we need to get him 100% fit and not rush him.
"We’ve got a strong squad that will cope with having to let players heal and not risk any further injuries. I see Edinson having a massive impact, he’s that type of personality and player. He can’t wait to play and he’s working really hard to get back on the pitch."
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