Edinson Cavani: Thomas Tuchel tells Manchester United what to expect from former PSG striker

Cavani joined United as free agent on deadline day

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel believes Manchester United have signed a hard-working striker in Edinson Cavani  but warned that Tuesday’s potential Champions League reunion will not be a grudge match.

Cavani called time on a seven-year stay at the Parc des Princes in June, choosing not to extend his stay until the end of the Ligue 1 club's European campaign.

The Uruguay international left as PSG's all-time leading scorer after 200 goals in 301 appearances, though had to wait until transfer deadline day to find a new club and has not played a competitive fixture since March.

Cavani only trained with his United team-mates for the first time on Sunday due to Covid-19 quarantine restrictions and his involvement against his former club in the Group H opener is in doubt due to his lack of playing time.

Tuchel said that United have signed a reliable player with the right attitude in Cavani and insisted that there would be no hard feelings if he plays on Tuesday night.

"They've got a great personality, like many of the biggest players. Same with Edi," the former Borussia Dortmund coach said.  

"He's very polite, almost a bit shy. A very polite person. A hard, hard worker, he will be in there every training from the first minute to the last minute.  

"You can totally rely on him. Like I said the real strikers, they're sensitive guys. Like all of hem, he's living for goals, living for scoring.  

“When he scores, when he has the confidence, he's one of the No 9s in world football and by that it's clear if you play for so long in a club like ours and if you have such a connection with the fans it's clear you have character and deserve this appreciation. You'll find out he's exactly like that.”

Tuchel added: "I was hoping to play in Portugal with everybody in my squad. It wasn't just about my team, many teams had their own issues. It wasn't possible for me at the time.  

"It wasn't just about Edi. Covid made the whole situation really complicated, for many teams not just my team.  

"He was the best scorer, he wrote part of our club's history, he's definitely a great player but it's not a story about PSG v Edi or vice versa.  

"We'll definitely be on the watch. It's hard to defend against him, he can make the difference and we'll be prepared for him."