May 06, (THEWILL) – Edinson Cavani has admitted that if he had known Manchester United was signing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, he would have worked out a transfer from Old Trafford.
As THEWILL reported, Ronaldo had spent the summer linked with a move to Manchester City, United’s city rivals and the expectation was that he would join them, only for United to swoop in at the last minute and sign the Portugal star back to his old club.
Cavani confessed that the move came out of nowhere and took everyone by surprise. On his part, he admitted that he was unclear how he felt about the move.
Giving his thoughts on the transfer recently, the Uruguayan veteran revealed: “To be honest, the moment it happened, I thought it was good that United signed Cristiano, but knowing about the world of football today, the first thing I did was call my brother [and agent, Walter Fernando Guglielmone] and say: ‘Fernando, if this had happened a week ago, I would have asked you to find a new club for me.’
“That’s not because I didn’t want to play with Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course not. I had the opportunity to meet him, he’s a great professional and scored a lot of goals. That’s perfect for a sportsman. But as I say, after years in football, I know how things are these days. That’s why I called my brother.
“It was more about understanding the situation. Not because I would lose my place in Manchester, but because there are a lot of things in football today that are different from how they were with other coaches, how it was before, years ago.
“It happened so suddenly. At no time did I have any feeling [that Ronaldo was returning]. I was thinking about the season ahead.”
Cavani was also open about his understanding of the fans’ concerns with his injury problems, which have limited the 35-year-old to just two goals in 18 appearances this season. But, he believes there are other variables at play.
“Over time, even regardless of the injuries I’ve had which have kept me out, I’ve been through difficult situations this season, different from what I faced last year,” Cavani explained. “After a few months, I called my brother again. He said: ‘Be positive, Edi. You’ll do a good job.
“Everything that has happened has happened, and that’s it. Here we are. But my way of thinking and my feelings towards football gave me strength in the first months and from then on… problems with injuries have kept me out. But that’s what was going on in that period.”
Cavani is poised to depart United when his contract expires at the end of the season, and despite suggestions of a move to Boca Juniors in Argentina, it is thought that he will stay in Europe.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
