Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided further insight into his claim that Edinson Cavani last week produced the best training session he has ever seen as Manchester United manager.
“Tuesday morning’s training session by Edinson Cavani is probably the best I’ve seen by an individual since I’ve come here and he led the line,”Solskjaer told reporters on Saturday night. “He went as a good example for everyone how to go about changing the mood, changing the performance.”
Our Uruguayan hero went on to produce a talismanic display at Tottenham while starting up front alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time.
Cavani scored his first goal of the season with a delicious second-half finish and was typically combative in his movement, showcasing a work ethic that has made him an idol for millions of United supporters.
Edi is now looking forward to Tuesday evening’s Champions League group-stage match against Atalanta in Italy, a country where he used to play with former clubs Palermo and Napoli.
During our interview with Solskjaer before the flight to Bergamo, we asked the manager to expand on his statement about the no.21’s inspirational training session at Carrington.
“It’s just as we said: we needed a reaction,”
said Ole at the training ground.
“He stood up to the plate with his experience and being a top professional. You cannot let a game of football punish you too much. You have to step up again.
“You can’t feel sorry for yourself. You have to do everything properly. It doesn’t matter if you win 5-0 or lose 5-0, you have to come in the next day and do absolutely everything right. There was no sulking. He just came in with the determination to prove we’ll rise again. That’s what we do.”
Read our matchday interview with Solskjaer in full from 10:00 GMT.