Gary Neville wants Edinson Cavani to extend United stay

“He’s been a really brilliant example.” – Gary Neville on Edinson Cavani

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville’s take on Edinson Cavani’s future suggests that he wants the striker to stay at Old Trafford for at least one more season.

Neville believes that having a footballer of Cavani’s experience and ability would benefit younger players such as Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, adding that the Uruguayan has led by example this season.

Following his free transfer switch after leaving PSG last summer, Cavani became subject to questioning over his age and whether he could score at the same rate in the Premier League as an older player.

He hasn’t played as many games as we would’ve wanted, but the thought of losing him this summer is a scary one. Take a second to consider the lack of strikers out there, ready to sign and do the same job as Cavani or better…

Cavani has scored eight goals and registered two assists in 29 appearances for United this season. He scored in Sunday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur as United increased their lead over third place Leicester City in the Premier League table.

Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, believes that the younger players at United would benefit from Cavani extending his stay with the club.

“Tottenham had a throw with two minutes to go, and Cavani was moving between the centre-backs trying to stop the ball from being thrown in,” Neville said after United’s 3-1 win.

“And he’s organizing where [Mason] Greenwood should be. I thought: ‘Greenwood needs another year of Cavani being alongside him’.

“It inspired us as young players when you saw great players like Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce and Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes.

“And you see the best players in the world, or those who have been the best in the world like Cavani, doing his work like that in the 94th minute, someone like Mason Greenwood, who needs people who are mentors, good standards above him, who can coach him on the pitch.

“I just thought him and Marcus Rashford need another year of Cavani.

“He’s been a really brilliant example. I was a little bit nervous of him coming in, because of [Radamel] Falcao, Alexis Sanchez, showcase signings.

“This one has been different. He’s really applied himself brilliantly and has been a big help to Manchester United.”

Read more: Lee Sharpe says Solskjaer is right to hold back United youngster for now

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