Cavani no longer looks like a ‘panic buy’

When Edinson Cavani joined Manchester United on transfer deadline day in October it was widely described as a "panic signing" with the 33-year-old's arrival viewed as a desperate deal by a club who had failed to get their main targets.

But after his outstanding performance at Southampton, coming on at the break to create one goal and score two, including the late winner in a 3-2 comeback, the Uruguayan looks far from the washed-up player some suspected he might be.

His goals were superbly taken, his movement in the box won plaudits from his manager Ole Solskjaer and many observers and, even though it had only been 45 minutes, he looked far from a player past his sell-by date. "For me, he's one of those strikers that can smell the goal, as you saw twice," said United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. The question marks over Cavani were certainly justified though.

Now Cavani must hope an FA investigation into his deleted social media post, which included a word with racial connotations, does not result in the Uruguayan being forced back to the sidelines.