'I was right' - Cavani says Man Utd role fears after Ronaldo signing have come true

Edinson Cavani has admitted that his initial fears over his role at Manchester United after Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the club have come true.

United snapped Cavani up on a free transfer in October 2020, two months after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, and he enjoyed an impressive debut campaign at Old Trafford.

The Uruguayan scored 17 goals in 39 appearances for the Red Devils to help them finish second in the Premier League and reach a Europa League final, earning a one-year contract extension in the process, but he has faded into the background in 2021-22.

Ronaldo re-joined United from Juventus last summer, and has since led the line as the club's first-choice centre-forward, while Cavani has slipped way down the pecking order amid a number of niggling fitness problems.

The 35-year-old says he predicted a difficult campaign as soon as the Portuguese superstar's return was confirmed, and has been disappointed to have been proven right.

"At the moment it was done, I thought it was a good thing for Manchester to sign Cristiano," Cavani said in an interview with ESPN Brazil. "Knowing a bit about the world of football these days, the first thing I did was call my [brother and agent Walter Fernando Guglielmone] and said: 'Fernando, if this had happened a week ago, I would ask you to find me another club.'

"But not because I didn't want to play with Cristiano Ronaldo. No. Because I had the opportunity to know him, and he is a great professional, with his targets, and that is perfect for a sportsman. But as I know, after years in football, how things work these days. That's why I spoke to my brother.

"It was more about understanding the situation. Not because I couldn't play in my role at Manchester, but because