Solskjaer still hopes Cavani will stay at United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still hopes to convince Edinson Cavani to stay at Manchester United after watching the striker's match-winning display against Tottenham.
The Red Devils came from a goal down to win 3-1 in north London on Monday (AEST) and close the gap to Premier League leader Manchester City to 11 points, with a game in hand.
Cavani saw a first-half goal disallowed following a controversial VAR review, with Scott McTominay penalised for catching Son Heung-min in the face with a flailing hand in the build-up.
Son promptly put Spurs ahead five minutes later, but United stretched their unbeaten Premier League away run to 23 games thanks to a superb second-half showing, Cavani heading in Mason Greenwood's cross after earlier giving Fred the chance to equalise, with substitute Greenwood capping the win in the final moments.
Cavani only signed for United last year after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but the experienced striker has not had a comfortable first year in England, with the coronavirus pandemic limiting his ability to see friends and family and with a racism row sparked by a social media post leading to a three-game ban in January.
The player's father has previous indicated Cavani wants to return to South America for next season, with a move to Boca Juniors touted as his preferred destination, but Solskjaer has not given up on extending his contract by another year.
"Edi showed why he's a number nine," Solskjaer told Sky Sports. "We had a little meeting on this with the boys. With his movement, we need to use him correctly.
"He knows my feelings; I know his feelings. He's not made up his mind yet. I understand that it's been a difficult year for everyone, but for a new lad who doesn't speak English, not to feel the English culture, to go see people, have friends around... it's in the back of your head if this is what you want, you know you can't have your family over.
"Fingers crossed, but if he decides that it's just this season, then we've been very, very fortunate to have him here.