Man Utd set to announce Cavani contract extension

Manchester United have ‘completed’ their agreement with striker Edinson Cavani to trigger a 12-month extension clause in his contract, ensuring that the popular veteran will remain with the club for a second season following an impressive debut year.

Nothing has been made public just yet but an official announcement is expected soon.

Cavani had been heavily linked with a return to South America and a transfer to Boca Juniors after his own father had remarked that the player was ‘uncomfortable’ in England.

But it was first suggested earlier this month that the 34-year-old had made up his mind to remain at Old Trafford and journalist Fabrizio Romano has now reported that the contract extension is ‘signed’ and can be considered a ‘confirmed and done deal’.

Critics were sceptical of Cavani’s arrival at Old Trafford on the delayed summer deadline day last October. The Uruguayan had been a free agent since June after failing to agree a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain and hadn’t played since the 2019/20 French season was cancelled in March.

The signing was dismissed as a desperate one on United’s part, likening it to Radamel Falcao’s failed spell on loan in 2014/15, but Cavani has emphatically proved doubters wrong.

His goal that sealed a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, helping to mathematically guarantee United’s top four place and Champions League qualification, was his 15th for the club.

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Cavani has scored five times in United’s last three Europa League games alone, as well as getting a hat-trick of assists in the semi-final first leg thrashing of Roma. Yet it is not just his performances that have been an asset for the club, with his influence on younger attackers also a big plus.

Mason Greenwood in particular has commented this season how watching Cavani in training, observing the striker’s famed movement and the subtleties of his game has helped make him a better player. The Uruguayan has taken on a mentor-type role in the squad and a flare up during the second leg against Roma also showed him to be protective of Greenwood.