Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has said that he "desperately" wants Edinson Cavani to stay at Old Trafford for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign.
The Uruguay international's contract with the Red Devils is due to expire this summer, but there have been suggestions that he could move on in January, with Barcelona said to be interested.
Rangnick handed the 34-year-old a start against Burnley in the Premier League on Thursday, and the German has spoken of the importance of the experienced striker ahead of Monday's game with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"We have had quite a few conversations over the last couple of weeks, probably the player with whom I have spoken the most. I told him from the very first day he is a highly important player, he is probably the only one who can play as a striker back to goal and face to goal," Rangnick told reporters.
"And as I said, his professionalism and his work ethic is just amazing. I told him that I desperately want him to stay and stay until the end of the season, and he knows that. He knows how highly I rate him and how highly I respect him."
Cavani has scored 19 times and registered six assists in 49 appearances for the 20-time English champions, including two goals in 10 outings during the 2021-22 campaign.
