Wolves clash the perfect opportunity for Edinson Cavani to show he's more than backup at Man Utd

Manchester United face a challenging end to 2020 with a home fixture against Wolves on Tuesday night, before welcoming Aston Villa three days later on New Year's Day.

While last season quality in depth was a clear issue for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, their business through the summer has ensured that this is no longer the case, no matter how last-gasp some of it might have felt.

The deadline day signing of Edinson Cavani was an intriguing one. On one hand, United had snapped up one of the most consistent goal-getters in Europe over the last decade for nothing, solving a problem that had been prevalent since Romelu Lukaku was sold to Inter in 2019.

The flip side of the coin, however, was the obvious tardiness of Cavani's arrival. Turning to a 33-year-old free agent - who had been available all throughout 2020 - on deadline day made it abundantly clear that the Red Devils had failed in pursuit of other targets.

Truth is, though, United were desperate for Cavani. No matter how good Anthony Martial might look donning the number nine shirt and wearing black gloves in peak winter conditions, it doesn't mask the fact that his inconsistent performances aren't cutting the mustard. Cavani offers the Red Devils a different dimension and way of playing and brings a sense of winners' mentality to the squad that left with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2018.

Cavani has only managed one Premier League start since his arrival, however, and now is the perfect time to change this and bring him into the side as a more regular fixture in the starting XI, starting against Wolves.

The obvious question mark surrounding the veteran Uruguay international is his age. Cavani turns 34 before the season's end and clearly isn't the answer in the long-term for United, which feels like more paper over the cracks.

Age is merely a number, though - ask Goldberg, who still manages to win WWE titles at 54 years old. Not only has Cavani proven that in his cameo appearances in rotation thus far, but former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Thiago Silva is also flying the flag for the over 30s at Chelsea. The defender has quickly proven a key cog in the machine in London, starting 11 Premier League games from the 16 Chelsea have played.

Cavani's fitness clearly isn't an issue. His bullish presence is a constant through his performances and it's time that Solskjaer uses it to his advantage. Starting Cavani regularly gives United an out-and-out poacher to aim at, varying their game as they can play short and long and allowing them to cross the ball with more freedom in the hope that he can pounce on a loose ball. He's already shown his sharpness with four goals and two assists and will only improve with a consistent run in the side.

It also allows United to make better use of Martial and Marcus Rashford. It's clear that neither of the pair are made to be the out-and-out centre forward in a side, but are instead more effectively used in a wide role where they can play both creator and finisher and allow the Red Devils to counter attack. Starting them on either wing with the Uruguayan down the middle feels like a cheat code that United are yet to explore, and it's up to Solskjaer to make use of it.

Cavani's bit-part role so far has been impressive enough for United to warrant discussions about extending his one-year deal. While it might seem counter-productive to tie down yet another senior player to a contract, there's definitely a role for the 33-year-old to play at United in the coming seasons should he stick around.

For now, it's about biting the bullet and deploying Cavani as frequently as possible while he's still proving effective on the pitch. Beyond this season, though, tying Cavani down and then easing him into a lesser role as United pursue a younger centre forward to take the reins, or rotating him with Mason Greenwood, would make most sense.

It's important that United strike the balance and use him effectively while they have him. Keeping Cavani around provides invaluable training ground knowledge for younger forwards like Greenwood, but keeping him in the side past his eventual sell-by date will merely highlight United's inability to recruit and replace ageing talent.

The Red Devils have a serious talent in their Uruguayan number seven. Yes, his age will catch up to him eventually, but that's exactly why United must pull the trigger now and get him in the starting XI as frequently as possible throughout the rest of the 2020/21 season in order to maximise his effectiveness, before eventually phasing him out as his powers diminish.