While providing the update on the Uruguayan striker’s situation, the Manchester United manager also spoke about Amad and Eric Bailly’s availability.
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Uruguayan centre-forward Edinson Cavani will not feature in Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Leeds United on Saturday. Cavani was part of the recently concluded Copa America with his country, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the striker will miss the start of the season due to a different reason. “Edi is in the country,” Solskjaer told MUTV. “[But] he’s just finishing off his isolation period. He’s had a little bit of extra time for personal reasons.”
The Norwegian also explained the situation around Ivory Coast internationals Amad and Eric Bailly, who were part of their country’s Olympic team. “Eric and Amad are also in the country waiting to get the all-clear to join the team again. They’ve had a very exciting summer of course, been in the Olympics [and] played games before that as well, so they should be fit before they come.”
Cavani scored a respectable 17 goals in his first season with United, with 13 of them coming in the season’s final four months or so. On the back of that impressive form, the centre-forward extended his stay at Old Trafford for a further year. It is not exactly clear when the striker will return to action, but following his exploits last season, fans will be eager to see him on the pitch soon.
Later, Solskjaer also provided an update on Raphael Varane’s imminent arrival ahead of the Reds’ opening Premier League match against Leeds on Saturday. During the traditional pre-match briefing, the Manchester United manager was asked at what stage the Varane transfer is up to.
“He’s not trained with us,” started Ole. “All the dots are over the Is but we haven’t crossed the Ts yet. Things happen, things take time and unfortunately with the isolation and the delay, there are things [that cause delays].
“I can’t say that he will be involved tomorrow. I can probably say that he won’t be because he’s not trained with us. It always happens that there’s little things in there. The big hold up was the isolation and quarantine of course. He’s been in Manchester.”
Manchester United started last season slowly and had a less than convincing run at Old Trafford. Solskjaer will be eager to make sure the club starts on the front foot this time and makes the most of the home advantage. Their first test is against a tricky Leeds United side on Saturday.
