That was Robin van Persie’s response on Twitter when asked who he thought Manchester United should sign in the summer during an ‘#AskRVP’ session.
That was also on February 3.
The prolific Dutchman, along with everyone else in football, was aware of Cavani’s availability on a free transfer for well over eight months. Yet, United have only sprung into action in the final days of the transfer window.
Whichever way the club decide to dress it up, it’s obvious that signing the 33-year-old was never part of the original plan this summer – assuming there was one to begin with.
Edinson Cavani, brilliant player and available #GoalMachine https://t.co/GmaQsEND1v
— Robin van Persie (@Persie_Official) February 3, 2020
Moving past the operational embarrassment for a club of such immense resources to resort to what is essentially a panic buy, the objective truth is that Cavani’s arrival undeniably boosts the squad.
With United spending the summer obsessed with signing the elusive Jadon Sancho and floundering in their attempts to address other pertinent issues within the team, landing the Uruguayan is hardly a tale of triumph for their recruitment department.
That said, Cavani’s pedigree can’t be ignored. He’s scored 353 goals in 586 club appearances.
After seven years at Paris Saint-Germain, he left as their celebrated all-time top scorer, notching up 200 goals in 301 games.
In his pomp, Cavani was recognised as a complete modern-day striker. His first touch, speed, athleticism, aerial prowess and intelligent movement made him one of the most revered forwards in the game.
Granted, he’s no longer in his prime, but he’s not too far removed from it either. Even at 33, he offers qualities that no other United striker does.
He brings experience that Anthony Martial does not possess and a killer instinct that the Frenchman is yet to muster. He’s an all-round far-superior option to Odion Ighalo – shockingly, two years his junior – and Mason Greenwood is nowhere near ready to consistently lead the line as an out-and-out striker.
As long as Cavani’s time at Old Trafford isn’t blighted by injury, he will almost certainly make a positive impact. Expecting a 30-goal haul from him would be unrealistic, but if United fans can accept him for what he is, there’s potential for him to become a cult figure in the red half of Manchester.
You cannot deny Edinson Cavani's goalscoring record 🔥
— Sport360° (@Sport360) October 4, 2020
586 Games 🏟
353 Goals ⚽️
Announcement expected today that he'll become a Man United player 🆕 pic.twitter.com/Ccq9pWNw1q
Because he’s not the answer to all of United’s problems. He’s not a miracle-worker.
He’s not a heroic talisman who will put the team on his shoulders and carry them to unprecedented glory.
He’s a seasoned striker who opens up multiple options for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in attack. He’ll likely score crucial goals because he has the capacity to deliver in the big moments that only comes from living through them.
He’s a relentless, goal-hungry centre forward with a selfish streak that is not mitigated by missed chances or the magnitude of the occasion.
Solskjaer has long yearned for striker who would “break his nose to score a goal.”
El Matador wouldn’t give it a second thought.
