Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chooses Edinson Cavani replacement

Manchester United could lose Edinson Cavani in this summer's transfer window.

Posted Tuesday, March 16, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has chosen his Edinson Cavani replacement ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports. The Norwegian is facing the prospect of the veteran leaving Old Trafford at the end of the campaign. And that will likely force the club into taking action.

Manchester United signed Cavani on a free transfer back in the summer.

And the Uruguay international has done well at Old Trafford, scoring seven goals across all competitions.

His father, however, has plunged Cavani's future into doubt by recently saying: "My son does not feel comfortable in England and wants to be close to the family again.

"Edinson is going to end up playing in South America.

"I want Edinson to play in a team that fights for something important.

"Edinson had many conversations with Riquelme and he would like to play for Boca. He was always seduced by the idea of playing in Boca.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could lose Edinson Cavani

"If he returns to South America he is leaning towards Boca. By the middle of the year he will return to South America.

"My son's idea is not to continue there, he wants to return."

And Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Solskjaer is keen to sign compatriot Erling Haaland as Cavani's replacement.

The Norwegian managed his compatriot at Molde earlier in the Borussia Dortmund striker's career, helping him develop into one of the world's deadliest marksmen.

But while United's interest in Haaland has been well-documented, signing him won't be easy.

Chelsea are also admirers of the Dortmund star, with Thomas Tuchel keen to sign an upgrade on the likes of Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud.

Barcelona would like to land Haaland but, with the club currently a mess financially, that doesn't appear likely.

And Real Madrid are interested, too, even though their priority at the moment appears to be Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe.

Former United striker Michael Owen, meanwhile, has urged the club to all they can to ensure Haaland arrives at the Theatre of Dreams.

When asked what the club need most, he said: "A top centre forward I think.

"I would like to see pace alongside Harry Maguire because then I think it changes the whole dynamic.

"If they could start defending one vs one, two vs two than that changes the whole dynamic of a team. I don't think they can do that.

"They tried to do that against Tottenham earlier in the season and basically they've been scared stiff of committing bodies forward since.

"They tend to be a bit more pragmatic, they never tend to beat teams four or five-nil.

"But if I had one position though it would be a centre forward, right down the middle. There's one on everyone's lips at the minute which every team actually need.

"Haaland is the name in question and virtually every big team a the moment needs a centre forward. He is going to be hot property when and if he becomes available."

Meanwhile, Haaland's agent Mino Raiola believes there are 10 clubs who can afford to land his client.

"It is obvious that everybody is looking at Erling as one of those potential new future stars because it's so difficult to do what he does at his age at his level," he said.

"He will be one of the future stars of the next decade because we see that stars such as Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo and Messi are coming to an age where everyone asks themselves: 'How long can we still enjoy them?' So everyone is looking for the new generation.

"Only a maximum of 10 clubs can afford to buy [Haaland] and give the platform you would like after you've been in Dortmund… and four of those clubs are in [England].

"I don't think there's a sports director or trainer in the world who would say 'not interested'.

"It's like saying: 'Is there a Formula 1 team who would not be interested in having Lewis Hamilton?'"