Watch: Edi Cavani almost knocks goalie out cold with cracking strike
Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani has been in good form of late, and he would have had another goal to add to his tally against Burnley at Old Trafford on Thursday night but for Wayne Hennessey’s brave block.
Cavani has not had an easy season at Old Trafford. After endearing himself to the Stretford faithful in 2020-21 with his goals and unrelenting effort, the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho in the summer have seen the Uruguayan veteran regularly warming the bench.
Cavani has also spent time out injured and rumours have circled that he would like to leave, with Barcelona and Corinthians mooted as possible destinations.
But under Ralf Rangnick, Cavani has found himself back in favour. Against Newcastle on December 27, he played 45 minutes and scored the all-important equaliser in a game when United were struggling.
That bought him a rare start in the following home fixture against Burnley, and he almost marked that with a goal too.
In the 71st minute, with Manchester United already 3-1 up and cruising towards victory, Cavani decided he wanted in on the act.
Following a Cristiano Ronaldo knockdown, Cavani leant back and shaped his body to catch the ball with his laces and send it flying goalwards.
That part, he managed. But Burnley goalkeeper Hennessey was equal to it, bravely putting his jaw in the line of the shot and almost getting knocked out for his troubles.
Fortunately, Hennessey was not seriously rattled. After a quick check, he managed to get up and carry on, playing to the end of the game. United won 3-1, all the goals coming in the first half.
This must've hurt Wayne Hennessey 😨😨😨
Unbelievable save though! 👏 @BurnleyOfficial
Watch #MUNBUR: https://t.co/i14Y4Ee229 pic.twitter.com/qIETtyh7tZ
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 30, 2021
More Manchester United
Watch: Ronaldo skies great chance after sumptuous Luke Shaw pass
Cavani’s wild-eyed roar showed he’s the fighter Rangnick’s Man Utd need