Maguire: Strikers should study Cavani's movement

Sunday 29 November 2020 17:29

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has praised the impact of Edinson Cavani, after the Uruguayan striker inspired our 3-2 comeback win at Southampton with an assist and two goals.

The Reds were 2-0 down at St Mary’s Stadium when the no.7 was introduced and he helped to half the deficit, by supplying the cross from which Bruno Fernandes scored on 59 minutes. 

Cavani then equalised with an opportunistic header on 74 minutes and he saved his best work for last, in added time, by nodding home to conclude a stunning victory on the south coast. 

Maguire, who was excellent in defence, spoke passionately about the result in his interview with Stewart Gardner and heralded the arrival of Edinson. As you can read here, the skipper starts with a statistic that highlights our fighting spirit...

We've won all four away games this season after coming from behind. What does that say about the squad?
"Well I didn't know that. I think it says we need to start scoring the first goal to give us a bit of help! It's a strange stat to hear. I actually don’t think we are starting games badly. Everton, we started the game really well. Today, we started really well. We are conceding bad goals at bad moments, maybe, but we are showing great resilience, spirit and character, which is something this squad has in abundance. We work tirelessly on the training pitch, we want to do so well for this club, we want to be a success, we want to win trophies and that is what it's about at this club. So, when we don't do that, we need to drive for more. It comes from hunger and spirit. It's a strange stat, but it does show great character.”

Maguire heaps praise on matchwinner Cavani Video

Maguire heaps praise on matchwinner Cavani

Fresh from a captain's display, Harry assesses the comeback and Edinson's sensational performance from the bench...

Even at 2-0 down at half-time, did you feel the next goal would be crucial?
“Honestly, we spoke about it at half-time. We knew that if we score the next goal we would go on to win the game. We felt that in the game. It is strange because we were 2-0 down at half-time against a team that is playing really well and has a great balance in the team, and we know what threats they have, but we gave them two soft goals really - goals which we knew they were a threat from. We knew which set-plays they were going to run and we gave it to them. We knew that James [Ward-Prowse] is a great free-kick taker and we gave them a soft free-kick. We created chances in the first half. There were probably 10 or 15 minutes in the first half when we lost our shape a little bit and started chasing the game a bit too much, and too early, but in the second half I knew that the next goal would win the game. We spoke as a back four at half-time and I said to them we couldn’t concede again. If we conceded again the game was over. I knew from our attacking lads on the pitch – Rash, Bruno, Edinson coming on – I knew we had goals in the team. It was vitally important we didn’t concede a third goal and I felt the next goal would go on to win the game.”
What a handy sub to come on and a real master craftsman…
“Yeah, I am so pleased for him. He has been without a club for a few months so he is coming in and catching up. He is a great professional, he is great to have around the place, he is great in the dressing room and I think you saw today what he brings to the club. His movement when the ball is wide is to a level that not many strikers can reach. He is always on the move, always getting across people and that’s why he has always scored goals. So if there are any strikers out here wanting to learn and watch, I am sure they are studying his movement and what he has done in his career. He is great for our strikers to learn from him in training, because he is a nightmare to mark in training as well. Every day he is making those runs across you and we have seen today his movement is very, very good.”
Solskjaer: I love the way Cavani moves Video

Solskjaer: I love the way Cavani moves

"He is one of the best because of his experience and qualities," says the boss, praising Edinson's impact...

Finally, how much did you miss the fans at the end?
“That is the only shame really. We went to the corner to celebrate and everyone was going berserk, and there were no fans. We do miss them, we miss them so much. We do get enjoyment, it is a great three points for us, but it would have been better if the fans were there and the atmosphere was great.”

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