Paul Scholes believes Edinson Cavani proved why he is Manchester United's only "real centre-forward" after his standout performance against AS Roma in their Europa League semi-final.
The 34-year-old rolled back the years with a fantastic display, scoring twice and creating two goals in a 6-2 first leg comeback for United.
Having trailed 2-1 at the break, Cavani scored a brace to put United ahead, before winning a penalty to allow Bruno Fernandes to make it four. Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood then added gloss to the scoreline.
Cavani and Pogba were central to United's second-half recovery and Scholes reiterated his stance that the Uruguayan is the club's only natural number nine, having been critical of Anthony Martial previously.
“It was an all-round centre-forward’s performance," Scholes told BT Sport.
"We’ve seen these kinds of players, Marcus (Rashford), Mason (Greenwood), Martial, we’re not quite sure if they’re centre-forwards.
"Tonight, that tells you, that’s a real centre-forward out there. He led the line, he brought other players into play. Two brilliant goals, what a finish the first one, top corner and he gave the ‘keeper no chance and a sniffer’s goal as well.
"It was a brilliant all-round performance. He’ll be a little bit disappointed he didn’t get his hat-trick, really.”
Owen Hargreaves added: “That was a proper centre-forward’s performance.
"I love Martial, I love Marcus (Rashford), but they’re more kind of the modern attackers that can play in multiple positions.
"But Cavani, he has the experience of playing through the middle, I thought his hold-up play was brilliant.”
