Edinson Cavani has accidentally taught Manchester United an important transfer lesson this summer

Manchester United weren't quite sure about what they were getting when they signed Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint-Germain in October 2020. The signing was made on deadline day and it had the hallmarks of a rushed and desperate transfer.

Cavani was 33-years-old and PSG had deemed him surplus to requirements. Cavani had struggled with injury in his final season in Paris and he arrived at Old Trafford on the back of scoring just seven goals. He clearly had pedigree, but his best days seemed to be well behind him. That judgment initially couldn't have been further from the truth. Cavani made an excellent start at United.

It didn't take long for Cavani to emphatically quash any lingering doubts about his ability to still perform at the highest level. The forward scored his first goal for the club against Everton in November before singled-handedly winning three points for United against Southampton a few weeks later. Cavani scored a well-taken brace and assisted United's other goal in that game.

ALSO READ: Manchester United consult Erik ten Hag on Pau Torres transfer.

United fans soon adapted ABBA's '70s hit, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' to serenade their new goal-scoring forward. United had lacked a traditional centre-forward until Cavani's arrival and the player's movement off the ball was truly exceptional. Cavani struggled with injuries again, but his goals when he played made supporters forgive him for his frailness. It was a strong first season.

Cavani finished his first year at Old Trafford with 17 goals and six assists in 39 appearances, which certainly wasn't a bad return for a centre-forward that was signed for free. His audacious lofted chip against Fulham on the final day of the season was also reminiscent of something