Here’s how playing with Edinson Cavani will bring the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo

(Football news) After an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford, Manchester United came back with a comfortable 3-0 win away at Tottenham Hotspur. Although Spurs didn't provide a good challenge, United played very well. Bruno Fernandes provided an assist for Cristiano Ronaldo who scored the first goal. Ronaldo then provided the assist for Edinson Cavani. Marcus Rashford sealed the 3 points with a 3rd goal.

After the return of Raphael Varane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer changed the system and put Manchester United in the 3-4-1-2 formation. Varane lined up in the center of defence with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof on either side. Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan Bissaka took up the wing back positions and were given the license to go forward. Solskjaer's tried and trusted midfield of Scott Mctominay and Fred formed the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes played behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani. Fernandes had the freedom to move around in spaces. 

Ronaldo throughout his career has played with a strike partner. Very rarely has there been a case where he was the lone man up front. Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United; Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain at Real Madrid; Mario Mandzukic, Higuain, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata at Juventus have all played second fiddle to Ronaldo. His partners usually do the hard work like tracking back and pressing the opposition defenders. If he has someone who is willing to do that bit then he will give you what the team needs to win: goals.

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Cavani's impressive ability to press the ball comes in very handy for his side. There has been so much discussion about Ronaldo's lack of pressing which is irrelevant because that is not an age thing as the Portuguese has always been that kind of player. This system works perfectly for Manchester United. The 3 at the back system could also mean that Paul Pogba could be fitted into the double pivot alongside one of Fred, Mctominay and Matic because he will have the insurance of 3 defenders behind him just like he did with France in the Nations League.

There are obviously a few disadvantages. The major one being that it will significantly affect the game time of the other wingers – Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and  Mason Greenwood. Rashford has been decent since returning. Mason Greenwood has shown glimpses of good football but has clearly not got used to playing with Ronaldo. Sancho has been poor since his move from Dortmund. 

Sancho obviously needs time to settle but Solskjaer's current priority will be to win games right now. For instant success, Ronaldo and Cavani have to play alongside each other which means Sancho doesn't get a place in the side. It is safe to say that Donny Van de Beek's Manchester United career is over and it will be in his best interest to find a new club in January. There are fears among Manchester United fans that the same could happen to Sancho. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is yet to win a trophy after 3 years. The Norwegian will have to win a trophy this season which means that he needs to play a side that will win right now and not think about the future too much. If Greenwood, Sancho, Rashford are indeed good enough, they will without a doubt find a way to break into the team. It is pretty clear that Ronaldo and Cavani will not be able to play every game which will give the youngsters a chance and they will have to grab it.

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