Varun Pai
Manchester United will make Edinson Cavani January transfer decision based on Anthony Martial move
According to Spanish outlet Sport (h/t ESPN), Manchester United will not allow Edinson Cavani to leave in January if Anthony Martial decides to seal an exit next month.
The Red Devils are open to offloading players in the winter transfer window but are not keen on a mass exodus. Edinson Cavani has garnered interest from Barcelona amidst a potential move in January. The Uruguayan international has a little over six months on his contract.
Anthony Martial is also looking to seal an exit after his agent recently made it clear that the striker wants a move away from Old Trafford. Newcastle United are currently weighing up a move for the 25-year-old French international.
However, the 13-time Premier League champions do not want to let both players leave mid-season. Thus, Cavani shall be allowed to search for a new destination if Martial stays put beyond January.
Fair decision
This is an extremely sound decision by the hierarchy. The departure of both stars could churn out transfer fees. But it is not in our best interest to lose both of them at the same time, especially without a ready replacement to take over.
Moreover, given the injury record of the squad and the Covid-19 outbreak, it is better to retain players rather than offloading them. But since everybody cannot be kept happy, at least one of Martial or Cavani could get to seal an exit in January and that will make sense.
Both of them have struggled for minutes since the arrival of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo. One of the things fans were curious to see earlier this season was whether the Portuguese could adjust to the system employed by Ralf Rangnick. But the 36-year-old has done an incredible job so far and is likely to lead the line in the coming months.
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If given a choice, Man United would be smart to let Martial leave and keep Cavani. The Uruguayan showed last season how impactful he can be from the bench and works hard off the ball. Moreover, unlike the 34-year-old, Martial has a contract until 2024, and the Red Devils could demand a reasonable fee for the Frenchman. Regardless, only time will tell which centre-forward stays put in January.
Either way, United would not be totally depleted up front. Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Elanga are at Rangnick’s beck and call to lead the line when he wants them to.
