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Tag: Cavani

  • Solskjaer explains Cavani’s half-time substitution

    Solskjaer explains Cavani’s half-time substitution

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained his decision to substitute Edinson Cavani at half-time during United’s 9-0 thrashing of Southampton.

    United moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after a comprehensive victory against the Saints on Tuesday night.

    Alex Jankewitz was shown a straight red for a rash challenge on McTominay and the floodgates opened thereafter, with Jan Bednarek, who scored an own goal just after the half-hour mark, also being sent off late in the second half after bringing down Martial in the box.

    United made their numerical advantage count in ruthless fashion, which allowed Solskjaer to ring the changes at the interval.

    A few eyebrows were raised when the Norwegian removed Cavani for Martial though, with the Uruguayan having headed home his sixth goal of the season in the 39th minute to cap a superb first-half display.

    However, Solskjaer revealed post-match that the 33-year-old was withdrawn as a precaution after picking up a knock, which he is hopeful will not keep the striker out of action for any length of time.

    “Edinson got a bad tackle on his ankle so he had to come off,” the Red Devils boss, whose side face Everton at home on Saturday, told BT Sport. “He probably would have loved to be out there scoring goals. But there was no point in taking any risks.

    “Hopefully, it won’t swell up too much.”

  • Ex-Man Utd defender questions Cavani signing

    Ex-Man Utd defender questions Cavani signing

    Former Manchester United defender Paul McGrath isn’t convinced by Edinson Cavani.

    He wrote for the Sunday World: “He was a type of forward I hated marking, one for whom movement was his thing.

    “Cavani is always on the move, sniffing where the ball might be.

    “A defender never gets a minute’s peace with him, because you know he is a deadly finisher and will turn the smallest ‘quarter-chance’ into a goal.

    “But Cavani is now 33. Why was he not playing for Manchester United at the peak of his career?

    “Why is the great Thiago Silva only now leading Chelsea’s back-line at the age of 36?

    “And what is Gareth Bale doing back at Spurs, but hardly playing, at the age of 31?

    “Do they all see the Premier League as some sort of gigantic pension scheme from which they can knock out a couple more years of decent salary?

    “If that’s the case, good luck to them. But why are England’s finest clubs employing them?”

  • Uruguayan FA urges English FA to review Cavani ban

    Uruguayan FA urges English FA to review Cavani ban

    The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) on Monday criticised their English counterparts for banning Edinson Cavani.

    The association called his three-match sanction for alleged racism “a flagrant injustice that damages the morals of an unimpeachable man.”

    The AUF “exhorts the FA to review its sanction,” it said in a statement.

    “We are convinced, through our profound knowledge of the person and analysis of the incident, that he does not deserve (the ban) nor the consequential moral aggravation.”

    The Manchester United striker was suspended last week by the FA and fined 100,000 pounds (136,330 dollars).

    The sanctions were for a term he used in an Instagram post following his side’s 3-2 win at Southampton on Nov. 29, before taking it down and apologising.

    The FA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

    The Uruguayan FA’s request came shortly after a similar appeal by Cavani’s national team mates.

    The Uruguayan players’ union (AFU) said the English FA “committed a discriminatory act against the culture and way of life of the Uruguayan people”.

    The statement was shared on Twitter by Uruguay captain Diego Godin.

    “Edinson Cavani has never committed any conduct that could be interpreted as racist,” the AFU said.

    “He merely used a common expression in Latin America to affectionately address a loved one or close friend.

    “The sanction shows the English Football Association’s biased, dogmatic and ethnocentric vision that only allows a subjective interpretation to be made from its particular and excluding conclusion, however flawed it may be.

    “We request the FA to immediately overturn the sanction imposed on Edinson Cavani and reinstate his good name and honour in the world that has been so unfairly tarnished by this reprehensible decision.”

    The Uruguayan Academy of Letters, which protects and promotes the Spanish language in Uruguay, also denounced the ban last week.

    It called the sanction an example of English football’s lack of “cultural and linguistic knowledge.”

    Cavani, who has scored four times for Manchester United this season, missed Friday’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa due to the suspension.

    The 33-year-old will also miss their League Cup semi-final against rivals Manchester City on Wednesday as well as Saturday’s FA Cup third-round match against Watford.

    As part of its punishment, the FA also said Cavani must complete “face-to-face education”.

  • Uruguayan academics slam English FA over Cavani ban

    Uruguayan academics slam English FA over Cavani ban

    The Uruguayan Academy of Letters on Friday denounced a three-game ban given to Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani by the Football Association (FA) in England.

    It called the sanction for alleged racism an example of English football’s lack of “cultural and linguistic knowledge.”

    The 33-year-old Uruguayan used the word “negrito” in an Instagram post after the club’s victory over Southampton on Nov. 29, before taking it down and apologising.

    He said it was intended as an expression of affection to a friend.

    On Thursday the FA said the comment was “improper and brought the game into disrepute”, fined Cavani 100,000 pounds and ordered him to complete “face-to-face education” as part of his punishment.

    The academy, an association dedicated to protecting and promoting the Spanish language used in Uruguay, said it “energetically rejected the sanction.”

    “The English Football Association has committed a serious injustice with the Uruguayan sportsman … and has shown its ignorance and error in ruling on the use of language, and in particular Spanish, without noting all its complexities and contexts,” the academy said in a statement.

    “In the context that it was written, the only value that can be given to negrito —— and particularly because of the diminutive use —— is affectionately.”

    Words referring to skin colour, weight and other physical characteristics are often used among friends and relations in Latin America, especially in the diminutive, the academy said.

    In that context they are expressions of tenderness and are often used independently of the subject’s appearance.

    Manchester United said Cavani chose not to contest the charge out of respect for the FA and the “fight against racism in football”.

    “My heart is at peace because I know that I always expressed myself with affection according to my culture and way of life,” he wrote on Instagram

  • Edinson Cavani gets three-match ban

    Edinson Cavani gets three-match ban

    Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani has been given a three-match ban and a £100,000 fine for a social media post containing a Spanish phrase that is offensive in some contexts.

    The Uruguayan, 33, pleaded guilty to a Football Association charge of using insulting and/or improper words.

    Cavani sent the message after scoring a winner at Southampton on 29 November.

    The striker subsequently deleted the post and apologised when the meaning that could be attached was pointed out.

    Along with the ban and fine, Cavani must also complete a “face-to-face” education programme.

    Cavani’s ban will begin immediately, ruling him out of United’s Premier League game with Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.

    He is also set to miss the EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City on 6 January and FA Cup third-round tie with Watford on 9 January.

    Cavani issued an apology shortly after posting the message on Instagram following United’s 3-2 comeback win against the Saints.

    “It was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game,” said the former Napoli and Paris St-Germain striker.

    “The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone.

    “I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently.”

    The FA charged Cavani for the post on 17 December.

    With reference to new guidelines agreed in the summer, it said the post was alleged to be “insulting and/or abusive and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute”.

    It was also alleged “that the comment constitutes an aggravated breach” which “included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.

  • Carabao Cup: Solskjaer rubbishes Cavani red card claims

    Carabao Cup: Solskjaer rubbishes Cavani red card claims

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rubbished claims Edinson Cavani should’ve seen red in their Carabao Cup win against Everton.

    United booked their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night as a late double from Cavani and Anthony Martial sealed their place in the last four of the competition.

    During the game, Cavani grabbed Yerry Mina by the throat and shoved him to the ground.

    The incident was missed by match officials and was not reviewed as there was no VAR in operation during the match.

    “Nothing in it,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports after the match. “Two South Americans that have had a few battles before, they met in Copa America qualifiers so, no, this was a proper game of football. With fans, tackles, yellow cards and chances at both ends, I enjoyed it.”

    Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti was also pressed on the controversial moment but admitted he had not seen it at the time.

    “I don’t know I didn’t see the situation with Yerry Mina,” the Italian said.

  • Cavani has nothing to prove against PSG – Tuchel

    Cavani has nothing to prove against PSG – Tuchel

    PSG boss Thomas Tuchel insists Edinson Cavani has nothing to prove against Paris Saint-Germain, and that he’s well aware of the threat the “reliable” Manchester United striker will pose his team.

    PSG travel to Old Trafford to face Group H leaders United in Manchester on Wednesday, with all eyes on star centre-forward Cavani.

    Cavani joined United on a free transfer on deadline day in October, having left PSG as the Ligue 1 champions’ all-time leading scorer with 200 goals to his name in June.

    Tuchel was asked about the controversy which is being investigated by the Football Association (FA), and he took the opportunity to hail Cavani on the eve of the showdown.

    “I’m surprised [by the social media comment], because I know Edi as a calm person, determined on the pitch to help the team, which is a rare characteristic for a striker of his quality,” Tuchel told reporters.

    “Always ready to do everything for the team. A big physical impact, scoring comes naturally to him and he’s reliable 24/7 – you can call him in the night and he will be there – to score, to defend, to score, to defend.

    “I’m happy for him personally that he could show this to all Manchester United fans in the last game against Southampton – he was absolutely decisive for them.

    “He does not need to show us tomorrow, we already know, so he can do a little pause, it’s not necessary to show us. If he will play, we will need to find answers for that.”

  • Man Utd striker Cavani apologises for Instagram post

    Man Utd striker Cavani apologises for Instagram post

    Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani has apologised for a deleted social media post containing a Spanish phrase that is offensive in some contexts.

    The Uruguayan striker sent the message after scoring the injury-time winner in United’s 3-2 win at Southampton.

    The Football Association is looking into the post.

    “It was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game,” said the 33-year-old.

    “The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone.

    “I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently. I would like to sincerely apologise for this.”

    United are aware of the post and understand Cavani’s interpretation of how it was sent.

    As of this season, Football Association rules state that any player found guilty of an offence of discrimination will face a minimum three-match suspension.

    “It is clear to us that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind Edinson’s message and he deleted it as soon as he was informed that it could be misconstrued,” said a United statement.

    “Edinson has issued an apology for any unintentional offence caused. Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism.”

  • EPL: Edinson Cavani smells goals – Fernandes

    EPL: Edinson Cavani smells goals – Fernandes

    Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes is delighted seeing Edinson Cavani find his scoring boots for the Red Devils.

    Cavani came off the bench, with United 2-0 down, to set up one goal and plunder two himself – including the winner in added-time – in Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 win.

    Cavani has three goals in his last four appearances and is winning over those who were sceptical about United’s move for him on transfer deadline day.

    United team-mate Fernandes, who was set up by Cavani for the first goal of the comeback, paid tribute to the 32-year-old’s poacher’s instincts.

    “For me, he’s one of those strikers that can smell the goal, as you saw twice,” said Fernandes.

    “He smelt the goal – you need to have this feeling to score these two goals.

    “As I said some weeks and some months ago, Edi will help us and he’s helping already.

    “For me, one of the best games he played was against Basaksehir in the Champions League.

    “Nobody talks about that because he didn’t score, but he did an amazing game.

    “He helps a lot and he will help more and more in the future.

    “When you have strikers who move a lot, and they give you the chance to play balls for them, it is really good.

    “I think every striker we have gives us options.

    “I don’t want to go on personally about Edi or another player because it’s not fair, but of course Edi has qualities, everyone knows that.”

  • Fernandes admits giving up hat-trick for Cavani

    Fernandes admits giving up hat-trick for Cavani

    Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes admits he considered going for his hat-trick before passing for Edinson Cavani to score in victory at Everton.

    It marked Cavani’s first goal for the club and Fernandes declared getting their No7 off the mark was more important than his hat-trick.

    Fernandes told BBC Sport: “The point is winning the game. [I set up Edinson Cavani because] for a striker it is important to score for his confidence, he will be important for us and the first goal will give him confidence.

    “I don’t need to think about a hat-trick, I need to think about the future.

    “Every game is important, we are not good in the league so these three points are important. We have a game in hand so we can go closer to the top of the table. We are not the best team now, and we are not the worst team after Istanbul.

    “We will get better if we do the right things.”