Desperate Man Utd snap up striker Edinson Cavani on free transfer worth £200,000-plus a week despite defensive woes

MANCHESTER UNITED have completed a surprise swoop for Edinson Cavani.

A free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the Uruguayan forward had been linked with Atletico Madrid, Leeds and Benfica.

But the Red Devils have won the race to sign Cavani, pushing through a deal on transfer deadline day with a minor delay due to image rights terms.

An initial one-year contract holds the option for the club to add on another season.

The 33-year-old is expected to earn over £200,000-a-week in Manchester and could feature against his old club in their Champions League clash later this month.

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Upon signing, Cavani told the club website: "Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so it is a real honour to be here.

"I’ve worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club.

"I have played in front of some of the most passionate supporters in football during my career and I know that it will be the same in Manchester.

"I cannot wait to experience the Old Trafford atmosphere, when it is safe for the fans to return.

"I look forward to continuing to write my little story inside the book of football and I know that’s why my focus has to remain the same as always - work, work, work.

"I have had a conversation with the manager and this has increased my desire to wear this beautiful shirt."

Anthony Martial's red card on the weekend means Cavani's debut could come in the match against Newcastle on October 17.

But it was the incredible ease with which United conceded last time out, losing 6-1 to Tottenham, that worried fans most.

Nevertheless, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ed Woodward have been determined to improve their attack this autumn with £39illion Donny van de Beek also arriving.

Cavani is the club’s second signing of the day after the capture of Alex Telles.

The 27-year-old Brazilian international full-back signed from Porto for £13.6m rising to £15.4m based on his achievements.

With 341 league goals in 556 games for clubs including Napoli and PSG, Solskjaer believes he has acquired a top-class striker much in the mould of Zlatan Ibrahimovic who excelled at United in his mid-thirties.

However fitness problems restricted Cavani to just 35 games in the past two years and he started just seven games last season.

United boss Solskjaer said: "Edinson is an experienced ultimate professional who always gives everything for his team.

"His goalscoring record for club and country is fantastic and we are delighted to sign a player of his calibre.

"He’ll bring energy, power, leadership and a great mentality to the squad but, most importantly, he’ll bring goals.

"He has had a brilliant career so far, winning trophies at almost every club he has played for, and he still has so much more to give at the highest level.

"The opportunity for our young players to learn from one of Europe’s top goalscorers over the last 10 years is fantastic and it will really benefit them going forward.

"Edinson knows exactly what it takes to succeed and we are all looking forward to seeing him make an impact at Manchester United."