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Football

06th Oct 2020

How Ander Herrera convinced Edinson Cavani to join Manchester United

Ander Herrera loved playing for Manchester United and only had glowing words about the club when speaking to Edinson Cavani

Reuben Pinder

Herrera still has a lot of love for United

Manchester United managed to somewhat salvage a disappointing transfer window with two deadline day deals, bringing in Alex Telles from Porto and free agent Edinson Cavani following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.

The failure to sign Jadon Sancho, or any alternative winger, will attract justified criticism from fans, but they at least strengthened the attack in the form of Cavani, a significant upgrade on Odion Ighalo and a natural goalscorer.

Cavani had other offers throughout the window but ended up in Manchester, partly because of a conversation he had with former United midfielder Ander Herrera, who spent the 19/20 season at PSG with Cavani.

Speaking to Cadena Ser, Herrera said: “He asked me for advice. I told him this was one of those teams that you couldn’t say no to.

“It’s just too bad he can’t take advantage of the fans. Old Trafford is unique.”

Cavani is also believed to have been motivated to join the Red Devils because they were drawn into the same Champions League group as PSG.

The Uruguayan is reportedly upset with the way PSG let him go during the extended break caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This meant he missed out on the Ligue 1 champions’ run to the Champions League final, which they lost to Bayern Munich.

Cavani is PSG’s all time top goalscorer, having joined them in 2013 and scored 200 goals in all competitions for the Parisians. The 33-year-old felt insulted by the manner in which PSG pushed him out of the club and will be out for revenge when the two clubs meet in the Champions League group stage this winter.

But going by United’s recent performances, it doesn’t seem like PSG have anything to worry about.