Edinson Cavani decided against a possible Manchester United debut at former club Paris Saint-Germain as he did not feel match-ready. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not select Cavani in his squad at Newcastle last Saturday but the striker trained the next two days ahead of the Champions League tie with PSG on Tuesday. However, Cavani – who has not played since PSG beat Borussia Dortmund on March 11 – did not travel with the United squad on Monday afternoon and it is unclear whether he will make the squad for the visit of Chelsea at Saturday tea-time. The manager also cleared the air surrounding rumours that Mason Greenwood was being punished for disciplinary issues.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said “Of course, when he’s been away from football for so long, he needed a pre-season, He’s naturally fit, he’s been looking after himself. He’s had two weeks in quarantine, isolation here. We provided him with all the facilities; a gym and a treadmill. He posted a few running sessions that he did, so there is your foundation. Now when he comes in with us he’s getting more football-like training sessions individualised and he feels more ready to train with the team and then play with the team. He’s been very meticulous and methodical in his training and his preparation and he didn’t feel ready for the PSG game because it was too early for him, he hadn’t done enough sharpness work. He’s managed to do that this week. Let’s see if that means he’s ready for the Chelsea game. I’m hopeful.”
On Greenwood
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said “I think Mason learned a harsh lesson this summer, of course, It’s the reality that when you do well at Man United you’ll be under the spotlight, whether it’s good or bad. The more bad decisions, the more likely you are to be followed. When you play well you just keep yourself out of the limelight in that respect. He’s never been an issue here in training, he trains really well. I really enjoy seeing him develop. Hopefully he’s shaken off his illness and he’ll be ready for this weekend.”
