EDINSON CAVANI has vowed to stick with Manchester United and be a role model for the club’s young stars.
It was feared Cavani would push for a January move due to a lack of game time.
But the veteran goalscorer, 34, had a meeting with interim boss Ralf Rangnick on Thursday to assure him of his commitment to United.
Rangnick revealed: “He came into my office and we spoke for almost half an hour — he told me that he will definitely stay until the end of the season.
“He said this not only because I told him he should stay or has to stay, he did it on his own behalf.
“He told me I can rely on him to give his very best — and also be a role model for the young players. Even if he’s not playing, he will be trying to be the best possible model for the other players.
“This is good news. Edi is one of those people — with his vast amount of experience, with his mentality, his work ethic — he could really be perfect for that.”
With cliques and dissent growing in United’s camp, this is a rare boost for Rangnick as he prepares for the FA Cup third-round tie with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
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He has tried to speak to all the players individually to get a feel for their commitment and convince them of his methods — and admits it has been difficult in his first six weeks in charge.
Rangnick, 63, added: “I haven’t had the time to do it with everyone because of the Covid situation but I have spoken to quite a few of them.
“Most of the players know what they have to do, offensively and defensively.”
The German wants to instil a high-pressing work ethic but there has been little evidence of that since his first game against Crystal Palace and the first half of the 3-1 win over Burnley.
He said: “This is the only way we can compete in this league.
“Whenever you watch games — even if it’s not the top teams — they play with intensity, physicality, energy and they sprint. This is what we have to do.
“The pressure is on. I’m sure the players are aware of that. It’s still about showing up when we play in front of 75,000.”
On Sunday, Roy Keane dismissed captain Harry Maguire’s latest rallying cry to his team-mates.
Red Devils legend Keane fumed: “How many times has he said that? I wouldn’t listen too much to what Harry has to say.
“I’ll judge a player on what he does on a football pitch, not what rubbish he comes out with about players sticking together and we need to do more.
“I still expect United to turn up and put on a performance but it’s not been good enough recently.”
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