Manchester United's Edinson Cavani to miss start of season?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 11 August 2021

Edinson Cavani is likely to miss the start of the Premier League season following his international exploits, according to a report.

Manchester United will reportedly have to make do without Edinson Cavani for Saturday's Premier League opener against Leeds United.

The former Paris Saint-Germain frontman extended his Old Trafford stay until 2022 this summer, allowing Man United to postpone their search for a new forward until the end of the upcoming season.

However, following Cavani's Copa America exploits with Uruguay, The Athletic claims that the frontman is yet to report back to Carrington, meaning that he will not be available against Leeds and potentially not against Southampton a week later either.

The report states that Cavani and United discussed a period of extended leave during contract negotiations, with the 34-year-old keen to spend time with his family in his homeland.

Cavani was persistently linked with a return to South America in order to be closer to his family before extending his United stay, and he struck two goals for Uruguay at the Copa America.

The forward also registered 17 goals and six assists from 39 games in all tournaments for the Red Devils last season, including 10 strikes in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho has been training with the squad and is supposedly in line for his first start against Leeds, but it remains to be seen if Raphael Varane will be cleared to play.