Cavani Vs Ighalo Vs Ibrahimovic: Comparing Veteran Strikers

Cavani Vs Ighalo Vs Ibrahimovic: Comparing Veteran Strikers

Manchester United have confirmed Edinson Cavani’s contract extension for a further 12-months, having impressed in his first season in English football.

After spending the entire summer chasing the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left with the consolation prize of the 34 year old free agent.

But what a consolation prize it has proven to be, with former Paris Saint-Germain star making an immediate impression in the Premier League.

Indeed, despite his advancing years, the Uruguayan has been a brilliant addition, scoring 15 times in all competitions.

His influence off the pitch has been just as important, helping to develop and mentor the likes of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.

Such has been his impact, United have now moved to extend his contract until the end of next season, as those early concerns have been emphatically erased.

Cavani isn’t the first veteran striker to rock up at United and defy expectations though. In fact, it has become a transfer staple for the club in recent years.

Here’s how he compares to some of the other experienced marksmen that have made their mark at Old Trafford, according to the Mirror.

Odion Ighalo

Like Cavani, Ighalo signed in the final hours of a transfer window after pursuits for more high-profile targets failed.

Instead of Erling Haaland, who opted to join Borussia Dortmund, United stunned supporters by signing the former Watford striker on a short-term loan.

Ighalo was another body for Solskjaer, but was never able to break into the starting line-up regularly.

Most of his minutes came in the cup competitions, where he scored five goals during their run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Europa League.

He would have his loan extended last summer, but was even more of a bit-part player, appearing for just nine minutes in the Premier League.

The Nigerian was risk-free, but arguably, reward free arrival that did little to push the needle.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic also swapped the Parc des Princes for Old Trafford, when he signed in the summer of 2016.

Similarly to Cavani, he signed a one-year deal that would ultimately be extended for another 12 months.

And like his ex-PSG teammate, his impact in Manchester was instant.

In his first season in English football, aged 34, he scored 28 times and guided United to a Carabao Cup and Europa League double, although he did suffer a serious knee injury before the end of the campaign.

Cavani could follow suit by winning a European trophy in his first season, but few could argue he matched the staggering impact of the Swede in his debut year.

In his second season, despite recovering from his serious knee injury, he would play only seven times, scoring once.

But in what was a brief fling, he left a lasting legacy.

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