Cavani extends stay at Man United to 2022

Edinson Cavani has extended his stay at Manchester United, the club have confirmed.

The striker has signed a new one-year deal to remain at Old Trafford until 2022.

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“Over the season, I have developed a great affection for the club and everything that it represents,” Cavani said. “I feel a deep bond with my team-mates and the staff who work behind the scenes here.

“They give me extra motivation every day and I know that, together, we can achieve special things.

“From the very first moment that I arrived, I felt the confidence of the manager. As a player, this belief gives you the perfect opportunity to play your best football and I want to thank him for that.

“I have been touched with how much the supporters have wanted me to stay, and I will give everything to bring them happiness and joy with my performances on the field. I’ve not yet been able to play in front of the Old Trafford crowd and that is something that I cannot wait to do.”

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added: “I said when Edinson signed, that he would bring energy, power and leadership to this group and I haven’t been proved wrong, he has been everything I thought he would be and more.

“As coaches, we knew about his goalscoring record. However, it is his personality that has brought so much to this squad, he has a winning mentality and has an unequivocal attitude to everything he does.

“Edinson is one of the last to leave the training ground and sets the tone for the upcoming youngsters with his approach to his profession every single day. I have always wanted him to stay and experience the way our fans will respond to him as a player, and this means he will hopefully get that opportunity.”

Cavani, who arrived on a free transfer in October after his release from Paris Saint-Germain, looked set to leave after just one season after growing unhappy with life in Manchester.

But after returning from an FA suspension and recovering from a series of niggling injuries, the 34-year-old, who was wanted by Boca Juniors, has scored eight goals in his last seven games and has been convinced to stay by Solskjaer.

Cavani has scored 15 goals in 35 games this season and could yet end the campaign with a Europa League winners’ medal with United set to take on Villarreal in the final on May 26.

Cavani is also hopeful of making the Uruguay squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, one of the reasons behind his decision to stay in the Premier League.