The Cavani-Ronaldo Scandal: Why striker is unhappy at United

Cristiano Ronaldo's deadline day move to Manchester United was a dream come true for many. For Cristiano Ronaldo, it marked a return to the grounds he made his name and an escape from a Juventus side that is dwindling under the leadership of a coach that reportedly doesn't see him as irreplaceable. For Manchester United fans, it marked the return of a club legend, one whom many have longed to see a return to the Old Trafford. And for the Manchester United management, it was the perfect transfer that meets their sporting and commercial goals. 

However, not everyone could have been happy at Manchester United on the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Barely hours after the £15m transfer of Ronaldo, there was the first casualty at Old Trafford. Daniel James was sold off to Leeds United to create one more space in the team. James' departure ultimately meant Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavani could take over the now vacant No 21 jersey and dumping the No 7 shirt that had been allotted to him earlier this summer. Cristiano Ronaldo thus had a free run to regaining his coveted No 7 jersey at Manchester United. Edinson Cavani could not have been too happy about that.

What is the status of Edinson Cavani at Manchester United now?

The prolific marksman had an impressive first season at Old Trafford, scoring important goals for the club and earning a contract extension. He led the United attack on many occasions, using his positional awareness and aerial ability to complement the craft of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. But with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Cavani is bound to play second-fiddle or perhaps even non-existent. 

This led former Manchester United striker, Dimitar Berbatov to reveal that he's sure that Edinson Cavani could not have been very happy with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Losing his No 7 jersey and losing his place in the first team would have made the Uruguayan disappointed after having an impressive debut season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 

Cavani would now have to rotate with either Anthony Martial for a central forward position with Ronaldo taking up a post on the left side of the attack. In a full squad, Cavani might not even get a look-in in the United squad with other attacking talents like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood fighting for the two other attacking slots left in a side that would always field Cristiano Ronaldo. 

What is Cristiano Ronaldo's impact at Manchester United so far?

Cristiano Ronaldo has made a blistering start to life at Manchester United, scoring in every game he has played in so far. The 5-time Ballon d'Or winner now has 4 goals in 3 matches after he scored a brace on his debut against Newcastle United, a goal against Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League and another goal against West Ham United this weekend.