Edinson Cavani's personal sacrifice backfiring as Cristiano Ronaldo blocks Man Utd role

This time last year, Manchester United fans were keen to see Edinson Cavani commit his future to the club.

The Uruguayan, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Monday, was just starting to hit his stride at Old Trafford - going on to score 17 goals in all competitions last season.

His crowning moment was an outrageous 40-yard lob against Fulham on the final day of the Premier League campaign, scoring one of the greatest goals in United's recent history.

Cavani's impressive form suggested he would become the Manchester club's newest icon, wearing the famous No7 shirt and ending their five-year wait for silverware.

As such, he agreed to sign a one-year extension and "sacrifice" his long-term desire to return to South America for his new found love, the Red Devils.

"As the days, weeks and months pass by, you do get to develop a huge affection for the club," revealed Cavani after signing a new deal last May.

On his personal life, he added: "After so many years of playing in Europe, being away from your close-knit family... I had kind of promised myself that I would return and spend some time to catch up on all of those years I had missed through playing football abroad.

"But, talking about family again, my immediate family, with my partner and our children here, we sat down and had a good chat.

"We decided that because of the love that has been shown, that affection that has been shown by the fans, everyone within the club and my team-mates, we decided that we would sacrifice – not in a negative way – and put on hold going back to our family."

It was a big sacrifice for Cavani to make, yet it's questionable whether it's paid off. He's scored just two goals this season, playing a supporting role to Cristiano Ronaldo.

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