Harry Redknapp believes Edinson Cavani has the ability and pedigree to do a ‘good job’ at Old Trafford but says the move ‘smacks of desperation’ from Manchester United’s point of view.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer missed out on his number one attacking target this summer as Borussia Dortmund held firm with their £108million asking price for Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek was still United’s only new arrival with just hours remaining of the transfer window.
However, free agent Cavani and Porto’s Alex Telles followed Van de Beek through the doors on a frantic deadline day, with the Premier League giants desperate to strengthen up front and at left-back for the new campaign.
Cavani, who put pen to paper on a one-year deal at the Theatre of Dreams, is raring to go with his new club and has been sharing videos of himself training at his Manchester home in preparation for his United debut.
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However, the veteran Uruguay striker – PSG’s all-time record scorer with 200 goals in 301 appearances – will have to wait to feature for the Red Devils as he will still be in quarantine when Solskjaer’s men travel to Newcastle next weekend.
Reacting to the move, ex-Tottenham boss Redknapp wrote in his column for The Sun: ‘I think you all know I like a gamble now and again…but nothing like the one Manchester United have taken in signing Edinson Cavani.
‘It was obvious they needed something even before last week’s shocker against Spurs.
‘The worrying thing was a few of them seemed to throw in the towel.
‘But signing Cavani, 33, on over £200,000 a week on the final day of the transfer window did smack of desperation to me.
‘I had people telling me eight weeks ago he was keen to come to England.
‘When I heard the wages I just wished them good luck.
‘So if he was someone United were that keen on signing, why did they leave it so late?’
Redknapp hopes Cavani’s move works for Solskjaer’s sake, with the Norwegian already under enormous pressure after a poor start to the season.
‘Cavani has been a great player over the years and if he’s still got the hunger and the talent, then he’ll do a good job for them,’ he added.
‘I hope for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sake he is because they certainly cannot afford any more displays like that one against Spurs.’
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