Gary Neville insists Edinson Cavani has forced his way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s best Manchester United starting XI by ‘making the spot his own’ and Anthony Martial misfiring
- Gary Neville believes Edinson Cavani is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s go-to striker
- The Uruguayan, 33, has impressed since arriving on a free transfer last summer
- Cavani has played second fiddle to last season’s top scorer Anthony Martial
- However, Neville says Cavani is the starting frontman amid Martial’s poor form
Gary Neville believes that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has found his best Manchester United XI as the Old Trafford legend opined that Edinson Cavani is the manager’s go-to striker.
United visit Arsenal searching for a response from their shock 2-1 loss to Sheffield United at home in midweek, dealing a blow to their title charge having climbed the league in recent months.
Solskjaer wrung the changes for their trip to north London on Saturday, with veteran marksman Cavani coming in for Anthony Martial, who has struggled for form this season.
Gary Neville believes Edinson Cavani has forced his way into Man United’s best starting XI
The 33-year-old has made a positive impression since arriving on a free transfer last summer
Having fired 23 goals in all competitions to become the club’s top scorer last campaign, the Frenchman has struck just five goals in 25 games thus far.
And although Solskjaer publicly backed the 25-year-old in the build up to this weekend’s game, the Norwegian opted for the experience of Cavani as United look to close the gap on league leaders City.
Neville believes that the Uruguayan is Solskjaer’s first choice moving forwards, having made a positive impression since arriving on a free transfer last summer.
A misfiring Anthony Martial, who has scored five in 25 games, has opened the door for Cavani
And Neville says the Uruguayan is Solskjaer’s go-to man as they bid to win the league title
‘I think Ole has been quite consistent, in the big games this is the team that he plays,’ the former defender said on Sky Sports.
‘One change that I think will be permanent, Cavani has proved himself in the last few months. I think he has made that spot his own and this is the team that Ole goes to.’
Neville gave his view of United’s poor result against the Blades, who sit bottom of the league, arguing that the Red Devils were undone by an expectancy to rouse another comeback.
Solskjaer’s side are looking to bounce back following their midweek loss to Sheffield United
‘Watching that game in midweek it looked like the players had imagined they have been in this position so many times that they come back in the second half but they came unstuck.
‘I think they will feel a little more pressure coming into this game after what happened on Wednesday.’
Former PSG striker Cavani has scored five goals in 19 appearances for United this season.
