Manchester United have had a revolving door of strikers through recent seasons, with mixed success.
Similarly, the cast of players to wear the club’s number 7 shirt have also found it extremely difficult to shoulder the expectation.
One player who made it look easy, for one season at least, was former Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.
Cavani signed for United in late 2020 as a free agent after his spell with Paris Saint-Germain came to an end, and he became a very popular player, scoring 17 goals in his first season.
It did become clearer as time went on, that Cavani’s effectiveness was on the wane, due to an ongoing battle with injuries. If only Manchester United had signed him 10 years earlier.
Edinson Cavani retires from international football
Edinson Cavani made the decision over the weekend that he will retire from international football for Uruguay.
It brings an extended international career to an end, with the striker’s decision meaning he will not represent his country at the upcoming Copa America.
It’s unclear if manager Marcelo Bielsa was going to select the 37-year-old, so this is a way for him to make his exit in a more dignified manner.
Uruguay and former Manchester United teammate Facundo Pellistri has expressed his sadness at the decision.
He told ESPN: “On a personal level it makes me sad. He is one of Uruguay’s greatest players, and for me he is someone with whom I have not only shared moments in the National Team, but also in Manchester United, he is a great friend.
“For Uruguay he is a loss great, but at the same time we are very happy with everything he did for the National Team. He will have his reasons for making that decision, but I stay with all the moments we shared together.
“I spoke with him about the challenges that lie ahead. He wished us a lot of luck and I thanked him for all the moments we experienced.”
Edinson Cavani international career
Edinson Cavani played 136 games at international level for Uruguay, scoring 58 goals for his country.
He made his debut in 2008, in a team where former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan was a starter.
Cavani played at four different World Cups, in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022, reaching the semi-finals in his first tournament.
Tributes paid to Cavani
Edinson Cavani’s club career is continuing at Boca Juniors, after a spell with Valencia. He is playing alongside ex-United stars Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo.
There were lots of tributes to Cavani left on social media after his announcement.
Former United teammate Paul Pogba left a one-word response, writing: “Legend”.
Ex-Uruguay colleague Diego Godin wrote: “You made history, proud to have shared it with you Matador.”
While his former club PSG left a message: “Congratulations Edi on your remarkable international career!”