Manchester United have had a curious transfer strategy in recent seasons, targeting ageing stars past their best.
One of these players was Uruguayan international Edinson Cavani, an emergency free agent signing in October 2020.
It was not an easy time for the striker, with fans banned from stadiums, and he found it tricky to settle in Manchester and was harshly dealt with an early FA ban.
Cavani still managed to score 17 goals in his debut season, but had to be persuaded to stay another year, amid links back to South America.
Edinson Cavani’s journey to Boca Juniors
Edinson Cavani’s reward for breaking the curse of the number seven shirt was to be forced to give it up for a returning Cristiano Ronaldo.
He later admitted he would have quit United in 2021 if he knew Ronaldo was set to return.
Cavani got his wish in 2022 when he left as a free agent after a miserable injury-hit second season, where fans felt he had thrown in the towel.
He signed as a free agent with Valencia, before penning a deal with Boca Juniors last year, a club who wanted to sign him during his spell at Old Trafford.
Last year he was a losing finalist in the Copa Libertadores final, but still going, and still scoring, at the age of 37.
Edinson Cavani helps Boca beat River
Edinson Cavani played a crucial role at the weekend as Boca Juniors won Argentina’s biggest game against bitter rivals River Plate.
Cavani struck Boca’s second goal in a 3-2 win, a victory which books them a place in the semi-final of the League Cup, and he marked his strike with his trademark archer’s celebration.
Speaking to Argentine channel c5n, he commented: “This is a dream that I am living. A desire more than anything.”
Referring to Boca’s supporters, he added: “They make me feel from the inside why I wanted to come play for this club.
“Being able to play with our people and that of the other team gives a special flavor to the match.”
Cavani would have headed straight to Boca after leaving United but wanted to stay in Europe with Valencia ahead of the World Cup. Once his time in Spain was over, he jumped at the move to the Argentine giants.
There he is teaming up with Marcos Rojo, who he briefly crossed over with at Carrington.
Rojo said: “We are the biggest team in Argentina. In a Superclásico, character is not negotiated, we can play well or badly but we had to score and run. We talked about it before the game and we showed it afterward.”
Cavani now has a very impressive goal record this season, nine in 13 matches, averaging a goal every 96 minutes.
Manchester United fans always felt that if Cavani was on the pitch, he was dangerous. Getting him to stay fit was just a big ask at this late stage of his career.
The Uruguayan was a striker United should have signed at 24, and not 34.