Cavani: This is the game history's made in

Friday 05 November 2021 07:00

Edinson Cavani wants United to leave a “mark on the football history” of Manchester in Saturday’s derby against City.

The Uruguayan striker could feature in the fixture for the first time in his career at Old Trafford this weekend. Although he was at the club all last season, a variety of reasons stopped him playing in any of our three clashes with City, the last of which ended in victory.

This time, Cavani is fit, available and in excellent form. He’s proved something of a leader in the last couple of weeks, with praise from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his performances in training as well as his goals and hard work on the pitch.

Going into Saturday, El Matador is eager to contribute to this historic game. 

“I understand perfectly well what these games mean, and I feel just how significant a derby is for a club and its fan-base,” Cavani told United Review.

“I think there are some games that are really special, because of all the history behind them and the rivalry that exists with the other club.

“They are the kind of games that I think everyone, including me at least, wants to be involved in, because they are very special occasions. Games that remain part of history and stay in everyone’s memory.”

Cavani’s no stranger to big derbies, having played for Paris Saint-Germain against Marseille in Le Classique and Napoli against Juventus as the two teams faced off for the title.

“I have one or two memories of other derbies I’ve played in, such as Paris-Marseille, where I’ve been fortunate enough to get on the scoresheet,” Cavani remembered.

“You can feel the joy you experience and the passion you feel the moment you score.

How Ronaldo and Cavani combined to score Video

How Ronaldo and Cavani combined to score

Watch how Ronaldo and Cavani combined to score our brilliant second goal in north London...

“I’ve played in Napoli-Juventus games which unfortunately isn’t considered a true Clásico, but it is an opponent in a game that, over the years, has announced itself as almost a derby game.

“[In Manchester], last season you’d see the odd fan who’d let you know that the derby game was coming up.

“But they’ve also spoken to me about how much the Liverpool game means to them too. I think it’s also one of those games that’s talked about an awful lot and where you can feel it yourself, just exactly what it means. That derby shares that same feeling, a special game that the fans really want to win.”

Order your derby issue of United Review

 Article

Get hold of the match programme for Saturday's huge Manchester derby between United and City.

After the disappointment faced in the match against Liverpool, Edinson and his teammates will be desperate to send fans home happy from Old Trafford.

Asked what his message to United supporters would be for the rest of the season, Cavani told our matchday programme this:

“Have faith in their team and have faith in the players who, without a doubt, will be trying hard to perform well and to keep growing and improving so that the faith that they’ve shown us, we might be able to, as they say, pay it back with good results, hard work and by winning stuff. So I’d just like to send best wishes to all the United fans and it really is a pleasure for me to be here at their club.”

Adored by the United faithful, Cavani has contributed many a memorable moment in a United shirt already.

His 40-yard lob at Fulham in the first game back with fans at Old Trafford will be forever recalled but there's also been two fantastic goals at Spurs, a brace off the bench at Southampton, four goals in two games against AS Roma and a goal in a European final.

What's to come? Let's hope it's something special on derby day.

Purchase the Manchester City edition of United Review to read the full interview with Edinson.

Recommended: