EDINSON CAVANI has signed a new one-year Manchester United deal – citing a ‘special bond’ with his team-mates.
United moved quickly to seal another 12 months as mega-money moves for Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland look increasingly difficult.
Solskjaer made no secret of his wish to persuade the veteran Uruguayan, 34, to stay because of his work on the pitch and the training ground.
SunSport revealed on Sunday that he would be handed a pay rise to convince him to remain at Old Trafford for another year.
And Cavani said: “I feel a deep bond with my team-mates and the staff who work behind the scenes here.
“They give me extra motivation every day and I know that, together, we can achieve special things.”
Solskjaer has loved the impact Cavani has had on young forwards Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Amad Diallo.
But the manager’s hunt for a new forward looks to have been put on hold for the next 12 months.
Spurs are understood to be unwilling to let England captain Kane move to a Premier League rival — even if the star made it clear he wanted to move.
And a move for Dortmund forward Haaland comes at a huge price, agents fees and demands that United are currently not willing to meet.
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Former Napoli man Cavani has scored 15 goals this season – with eight coming in his last seven appearances.
And he has been convinced to shelve his plans to move his family back to South America this summer.
Solskjaer said: “I said when Edinson signed, that he would bring energy, power and leadership to this group and I haven’t been proved wrong.
“He has been everything I thought he would be and more.
“Edinson is one of the last to leave the training ground and sets the tone with his approach to his profession every single day.
“I have always wanted him to stay and experience the way our fans will respond to him as a player, and this means he will hopefully get that opportunity.”
It means the United boss will have four strikers to chose from next season with Cavani, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
United legend Gary Neville said: “Cavani has been absolutelt sensational with his attitude, commitment and his influence on Rashford and Greenwood.
“The timing of his runs is the best in the league. They’re a better team with him in it.”
Cavani is looking forward to playing in front of a packed Old Trafford.
He added: “I’ve not yet been able to play in front of the Old Trafford crowd and that is something that I cannot wait to do.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
