With Cavani contract extension, Man United turns to Sancho

Edinson Cavani's change of heart also changed the shape of future Mancester United transfer deals. After the Uruguayan decided to stay at Old Trafford (his father was saying that he wishes to go to Boca Juniors) and signed a new contract, names like Harry Kane and Erling Haaland were erased from the Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s notebook but the name Jadon Sancho was underlined.

It is well known that Manchester United (nor any other club in the world) could afford all three players, so the Red Devils had to stop their long time pursuit of Sancho and concentrate on Kane or Haaland. The stats don’t lie: Rashford, Greenwood, Martial and Cavani have scored 53 goals so far in all competitions, while Kane alone had 31. But, since Cavani extended his contract, and is in a great form recently, the Red Devils are turning to their target number 1: Jadon Sancho.

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Borussia Dortmund’s winger was close to Old Trafford last September, but now the club will allow him to leave if the offer is good, and for United, that offer would be around 12 billion Ksh. And the player himself, aware of the interest from Manchester, but also from Liverpool and Chelsea, didn’t want to commit to Borussia.

„Will I leave the club? I don’t know about my future. I am very happy here in Dortmund at the moment. I love the club, the fans and the team. They gave me my first professional start“ said Sancho after scoring the winning goal against Leipzig.

And former defender Garry Neville also believes that Cavani’s contract extension, combined with Sancho’s signature is the better solution for various reasons.

'If Manchester United were to sign Harry Kane and a Sancho, will Cavani play? Will Greenwood have the growth? Where does Paul Pogba fit in? So I'm looking at it now and I think Sancho will come in, with Greenwood backup on that side. Up front they will have Cavani and Greenwood and on the left they will have Rashford and Martial and then you've got Pogba who can fit in there too or at the base of midfield. If you sign Kane or Haaland as well I don't think that basically works for Manchester United with the way they have recruited the last few years. I think it is Sancho and I think that is their business done“ said Neville on Monday Night Football.

Neville is very high on Cavani and his attitude, but most of all, his influence on the young players who are a future for Man United: Rashford and Greenwood.

„I think he has been absolutely sensational, in every single way. His attitude, his commitment, forget the goals, his impact on the other players. You think about positive influences on the likes of Rashford and Greenwood. Manchester United can press better at the front when he is there, they have got a better target man to hit. He is a classic centre forward, makes brilliant runs, runs you would have been taught 20 years ago. I think he has been an absolute joy. I am delighted he is going to be at Manchester United next season. I think they are a better side when he is in the team“ said Neville.

Edinson Cavani signs on with Manchester United!

So, the basic idea is get Sancho for the reduced price before the Euro 2020 and relieve Greenwood, who can now play more up front, instead on the flank, which is not his natural position. And Man Utd are already trying to get the deal done while trying to ’survive’ a hectic Premier League schedule at the same time.

The Red Devils are not happy with the the fixture list, as they have to play four matches in eight days. Roma match has already finished, and the next one is Leicester, who is desperate to reach Champions League spot. The Foxes missed their chance last season and don’t want to do it again, but their schedule is brutal: Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham. Coach Brandan Rodgers is still missing Johny Evans due to injury, and his absence was crucial, as Foxes were seriously wounded by Newcastle last Friday (2-4).

ROUND 36

Monday

20:00 Manchester United - Leicester City

Tuesday

22:15 Chelsea - Arsenal

Friday

22:00 Newcastle United - Manchester City

Saturday

14:30 Burnley - Leeds United

17:00 Southampton - Fulham

22:00 Brighton & Hove Albion - West Ham United

Sunday

14:00 Crystal Palace - Aston Villa

16:05 Tottenham - Wolverhampton

18:30 West Bromwich Albion - Liverpool

21:00 Everton - Sheffield United