Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side must adapt in order to bring the best out of Edinson Cavani at the club.
The 33-year-old made his debut for the club in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Saturday and he came close to opening the scoring with his first touch.
Anthony Martial has lead the line for the majority of Solskjaer’s tenure at Old Trafford but Cavani’s tendency to run in behind and willingness to hold-up play offers something completely different to United.
Giggs believes the former Paris Saint-Germain forward can be a success at the Theatre of Dreams but the Welshman has likened the situation to one that United found themselves in in 2012 with Robin van Persie.
The Dutchman signed for the club from Arsenal in a controversial £22m deal but Sir Alex Ferguson blasted his midfielders for failing to properly utilise Van Persie in his early days in the north-west.
Ferguson told the likes of Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Giggs, Tom Cleverley and Anderson that they would not be selected if they continued to overlook Van Persie when in possession, such was the movement of the former Netherlands international.
United’s midfield quickly heeded Ferguson’s advice, with Van Persie inspiring the Red Devils to their 20th league title.
Giggs believes Cavani requires similar service and has urged United to follow the lead Ferguson set with Van Persie.
‘I think they’re going to have to watch his movement,’ said Giggs.
‘When Robin van Persie came to the club we weren’t finding him quickly enough because his movement was so good.
‘But early, you had to play the ball quickly [to Van Persie]. I think Cavani may be in that bracket.
‘His movement is good, you mention about his offsides, you have to play the ball quickly otherwise he will be offside. But you’ve seen a little clip of the quality he [Cavani] can possess.’
