Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Edinson Cavani is not yet fit to play for Manchester United after he was left out of the Premier League squad to face Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Cavani missed Thursday’s trip to Turin where United dismantled Real Sociedad 4-0 in the first-leg of their Europa League round-of-32 tie.
The Uruguayan striker has been nursing a muscle injury and has not been risked this evening with Anthony Martial set to lead the line against the Magpies.
As per BBC Sport journalist Shamoon Hafez, Solskjaer said pre-match that Cavani is ‘not yet fit’ and that it was too much of a risk to include him against Steve Bruce’s men.
But the United manager was optimistic about the return date of the 33-year-old, suggesting he could feature in the second-leg against Real Sociedad on Thursday.
“Hopefully he will play on Thursday or maybe Sunday,” the United boss said before kick-off.
United play Chelsea away in the Premier League next Sunday, a fixture that Solskjaer may be tempted to save Cavani for.
Meanwhile, Scott McTominay is also ruled out this evening after injuring his ankle in midweek.
Daniel James keeps his place in attack while Anthony Martial, David de Gea and Luke Shaw return to the starting lineup.
Man Utd XI to face Newcastle: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Fred; Fernandes, James, Martial, Rashford.
Solskjaer says Cavani "not yet fit" and it was too risky to play him. "Hopefully he will play on Thursday or maybe Sunday."
McTominay is out after hurting his ankle v Sociedad. #MUFC— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) February 21, 2021
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United XI to face Newcastle: Daniel James and Anthony Martial start
