Edinson Cavani’s departure from Manchester United has now been confirmed and the Uruguayan forward will leave the club after two years, with his first campaign undeniably the more successful.
The 35-year-old was persuaded by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer into staying for a second year at the end of last season following a spectacular last two months of the season but he has struggled to reach those heights again.
His availability this season has been a real cause for concern, with Ralf Rangnick often left frustrated at his lack of options in his position.
Now, after starting just seven games and totaling 15 appearances overall in the Premier League, he has said his goodbyes and has reserved a message for the club’s supporters.
“I sincerely have nothing but words of gratitude towards the fans and supporters of Manchester United,” Cavani is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
“Honestly, they have shown me a lot of respect from the very first moment I arrived. I think they’ve greatly recognised all the hard work I’ve always tried to put in in the best way possible, giving my best for this team.
“I really am very grateful, and I’ll be leaving here with a happy memory of that affection they showed me and always displayed.”
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The former Paris Saint-Germain forward admitted to feeling regret over his second season, insisting he wanted to offer more before he departed Old Trafford.
“I wanted to contribute more this season,” he said. “One of the things that has left me with a slightly bitter taste is that when we had a highly enjoyable and pretty decent [2020/21] season, we weren’t able to have the supporters along with us.
“And now, this season, with the fans coming back into the grounds and stadiums, I haven’t really been able to have the kind of campaign, if I’m being honest, on a personal front that I would really have liked. Where I would have been able to score the kind of goals I did last season, and then be celebrating them a bit more with the fans – the kind of stuff that it’s great for a forward or a striker to be doing.
“But I want to sincerely thank the fans from the bottom of my heart, because they have always shown me a lot of affection, and that is very important for a footballer.”
Manchester United are expected to sign a striker this season and considering Cavani’s exit is paired with the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, bringing a forward in is paramount.
Recently there have, however, been suggestions that Marcus Rashford could be tested in a central role this summer as Erik ten Hag assesses his squad.
