Ole responds to Cavani speculation
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reacted to speculation surrounding the future of striker Edinson Cavani.
Quotes attributed to Cavani's father Luis in the South American media this week suggested the Uruguay international is keen to return closer to his homeland later this year.
He joined during the last summer window on a one-year contract with the option of a second at Old Trafford, and has impressed with his ability on the pitch and professionalism off it, scoring seven times so far this term.
Orgulloso de vestir esta camiseta 🤝 @ManUtd
— Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) March 10, 2021
Proud to wear this shirt 🤝 @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/G51hf24neH
"Well, Edinson is fully focused on being available for us and working really hard to get fit," Ole said at his press conference, ahead of the AC Milan clash in the Europa League on Thursday.
"From my bad Portuguese/Spanish and his better English, he’s very proud to play for Manchester United. He’s always going to give his best, if it’s beyond this season as well.
“The decision hasn’t been made. As we’ve said, he’s made a great contribution so far. We’re just working on getting him back on the pitch and fit and we’ll convince him when the weather in Manchester improves.”
When pushed at the end of the press conference on what he can say to the 34-year-old about the situation, Ole replied: "I can't comment on what has been said. I can only say that we are very pleased with Edinson, when he's here working really hard to be available every day - day in and day out.
“He's proving his, how can I say, personality and his professionality. Even in his broken English, he's really helping the young kids as we wanted him to.”
"We knew he wasn't going to be able to play every single game, of course, because he'd been out of football for so long," admitted the manager.
"Now let's make sure he plays as much football as possible until the end of the season and scores as many goals as he can. He helps the young players, the strikers and forwards and even the rest of the group with his mentality.
“Then he will make his decision and he knows that we are very fond of what he's given to the club, even though he's probably played fewer games than he wanted to.”