Edinson Cavani’s work rate in training was what finally convinced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start the Uruguayan alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester United’s 3-0 win at Tottenham on Saturday.
Solskjaer had previously refrained from sticking both veteran forwards up front together during a patchy start to the season.
Things came to a head last weekend when United suffered their crushing 5-0 loss to Liverpool – a game that almost cost Solskjaer his job and also triggered an epiphany in him.
Heading into the clash at Tottenham Stadium Solskjaer justified his team selection as bringing “experience” back into the mix.
And his move certainly paid off with Cavani running the show in north London.
“I’ve been here three years as manager and Tuesday’s training performance by Edinson Cavani is the best performance anyone has put into a training session here. The old men led from the front,” said Solskjaer.
“They play well together. They have loads of respect for each other. The work-rate and quality they put in is second to none.
“The [players] play for the club no matter what. It’s not about me. It’s about us improving as a group.”
It was not just Cavani and Ronaldo – who both got on the scoresheet against a lacklustre Spurs – who proved experience is vital if United are to turn their fortunes around.
Solskjaer went for a back three with the battle-hardened Raphael Varane stood in the middle of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, two centre-backs with enough experience behind them by now to know how to react to a loss like that inflicted by Liverpool.
In midfield Scott McTominay gave a man-of-the-match performance, so said Solskjaer, alongside Fred, and Bruno Fernandes was his usual calm self.
“The experience of Edinson Cavani and Cristiano is massive. We need it. We can’t hide. The week has been difficult for all the players. They really stuck at it. Experience counts in situations like this,” added Solskjaer, who must now prepare the side to face Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday, before a clash with Manchester City at the weekend.
“We’ve built this performance on hard work, discipline and keeping the ball away from our goal. Spaces will open up especially if you get the first goal.
“The first goal always decides how the game goes.
“We’ve got a hard week again. Champions League game then City. We’ve got to digest this one and be ready for Tuesday.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3BsRmjq
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