Are these El Matador's top five United goals?

Tuesday 05 October 2021 12:54

Today marks a year of Edinson Cavani at Manchester United, and it's fair to say the Uruguayan has made himself at home.

He netted 17 goals in his first season for the Reds, and has become a clear fan favourite, with Old Trafford relishing the chance to serenade him at every possible opportunity.
 
But what are the very best highlights from El Matador's 12 months in M16? There are many to choose from, so we asked some of our resident Reds for their favourite personal Edi moments.
 
Do you agree or disagree? Check out these choice Cavani cuts...
Watch all 17 of Cavani's goals for United Video

Watch all 17 of Cavani's goals for United

Watch all 17 goals scored by El Matador in his debut season, starting at Goodison Park and ending in Gdansk...

EVERTON (away)
Adam Marshall, Contributing Editor
 
“We were playing well at Everton in the Carabao Cup – it was a quarter-final, not long before Christmas – but it looked like a case of making the breakthrough to prevent a dreaded penalty shoot-out. Edi provided it, with the sort of class that we expected when he signed for the club on a free transfer. Picking up a pass from Anthony Martial in a threatening position, he shifted the ball onto his left foot and a gap opened up.
 
“I think it was the fact that he absolutely buried the finish which I enjoyed, as it was the perfect illustration of the kind of centre-forward he is. And I liked the celebration, where he jinked from one side to the other before being joined by his colleagues. It was a strike that made me think: 'What a privilege it is to have Cavani here.'”
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (away)
Joe Ganley, Club Reporter
 
“Spurs away in April could easily have turned into a very annoying afternoon for Edinson. The Uruguayan had been denied an excellent opening goal thanks to Son Heung-min's amateur dramatics exhibition, and the Korean added further salt to the occasion by putting Tottenham ahead shortly after. But El Matador hit back, brilliantly, creating our equaliser (Fred) and then putting us in front with a glorious diving header. 
 
“His finish was superlative but, even more impressively, Cavani had been caught on camera just minutes earlier, instructing Mason Greenwood to get the ball in quicker from the right. Greenwood didn't need telling twice: the first-time cross he swirled in soon after was as appetising as a late-night kebab, and Cavani was absolutely famished after that first-half frustration. It was Edi in a nutshell: deadly in front of goal, and absolutely inspirational to his team-mates.”
All the Angles: Cavani v Spurs Video

All the Angles: Cavani v Spurs

Revel in Edinson Cavani’s magnificent header at Tottenham, from a range of viewing points…

ROMA (away)
Mark Froggatt, Senior Content Manager
 
“Let’s be honest, Cavani’s best goal in a United shirt is the glorious chip against Fulham at Old Trafford during his first match in front of our fans. He knows, and we know it, but there are so many others to love for a variety of reasons.
 
“The one I want to highlight is his first in our Europa League semi-final second leg against Roma, at the height of his free-scoring run late last season. His first touch from Fred’s through ball was sweeter than mate tea and allowed him to execute a clinical 20-yard finish, drawing his right boot back like a perfect golf swing and effortlessly stroking home into the bottom corner. Edi headed home a second after the break and memorably protected Mason Greenwood from the Italians, in a lively 3-2 defeat that secured our progress to the final. His display that night arguably summed up his debut season: hard-working, intelligent and ruthless.”
Why we all love Cavani Video

Why we all love Cavani

Edi's workrate and never-say-die spirit is summed up in this short clip from Wednesday's game...

FULHAM (home)
Lars Magnus Igland Roys, Editorial Assistant
 
“My favourite Edinson Cavani moment would have to be his 40-yard wonder-goal against Fulham last term. On social media you could tell that El Matador was already a fan favourite and he hadn’t even played in front of our supporters, until then. The fact that he produced such a moment of magic the first time he played in front of the United faithful just epitomises the class the Uruguayan centre-forward has got. The roar from the crowd, after the outrageous attempt went in, was a sign of things to come, and luckily the Theatre of Dreams is now back to full capacity. 
 
“That goal will always be one that sticks out for me when someone mentions Cavani – not just for the sheer quality of the strike but also because of the fact it was a sign of things getting back to normality. Although the goal was anything but normal! As the famous chant goes: 'I am in love, I can’t deny…'”
All the Angles: Cavani v Fulham Video

All the Angles: Cavani v Fulham

All The Angles | In May 2021, Edinson Cavani marked our fans' return to OT with this stunning finish against Fulham...

SOUTHAMPTON (away)
Mikey Partington, Editorial Assistant
 
“His second goal in this match, the stoppage-time winner, will no doubt be the one that crops up more often in this regard, but I cannot look past the first of Edi’s brace on that late-November afternoon at St Mary’s. Having been introduced as a half-time substitute with United 2-0 down against Southampton, the Uruguayan had already set up Bruno Fernandes to pull one back for the Reds, before getting onto the scoresheet himself in what we would come to know as trademark Cavani fashion.
 
“After Alex Telles’ corner from the left had worked its way to Fernandes on the edge of the box, the Portuguese’s low driven effort was deflected into the air and appeared to sit up perfectly for our forward who instinctively dived and latched onto it, diverting the ball into the net to make it 2-2. El Matador would then of course go on to cap off his inspired showing later in the day, displaying the intricate movement and technique of an expert poacher to head home the all-important go-ahead goal, deep into added time.”
 
The opinions in this story are personal to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

Recommended: