Martial does not really have the ‘qualities’ of Cavani – Pogba admits

Edinson Cavani gives the Manchester United squad qualities that Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood do not have, says Paul Pogba.

The seasoned frontman was added by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to his ranks during the summer of 2020. For several weeks before United made their move, Cavani had been without a club, with the Uruguayan running down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.

The Red Devils’ decision to sign a 33-year-old striker on the transfer deadline day was challenged, with some accusing Solskjaer of lacking a long-term vision.

However, at Old Trafford, Cavani proved to be a valuable asset, with younger teammates taking crucial lessons from him, while contributing to the cause were five significant goals.

His new attempt came in the 2-1 victory at Fulham with a man who has now balanced the return of regular No 9 Martial’s predatory instincts on full display.

Pogba, who netted a spectacular winner at Craven Cottage, told MUTV about the importance of the presence of Cavani in Manchester: “Everyone knows that Edi is a top-class striker, and there are few such strikers in the world, and we had the chance to have one.”

“We know those targets are the toughest goals. We have talented players who can shoot from outside and things, Anthony Martial, Rashy in front, even Mason, but they don’t have this, Edi’s experience, and they don’t have Edi’s same consistency as well.

So I suppose we’re going to complete each other with the players we’ve got in front of us, and Edi will clearly show his class the way he did today. At the right moment, those goals we wanted, he’s still there at the right time and the right time to help the team win.

When putting a contract for Cavani in motion, Solskjaer must have known what he was getting, with the United boss once a prolific frontman himself.