Edinson Cavani ‘not comfortable’ at Manchester United and wants to leave, says father

Cavani ‘does not feel comfortable where he is’, according to father Luis

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

Edinson Cavani’s father has claimed that the Manchester United striker wishes to leave English football and could join Boca Juniors at the end of the season.

The Uruguayan has enjoyed a successful spell with United since signing a one-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of an further year's extension.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said last month that United were ready to sit down with Cavani and discuss his future after the 34-year-old scored seven goals in 25 appearances.

Reports in Argentina on Monday suggested that Cavani's head had been turned, however, and his father Luis has now suggested that his son wishes to return to South America to be closer to his family.

“There is a 60% chance that Edinson will come to South America," Luis told TyC Sports.

"We are very anxious. We have always been to visit him, he has been in very beautiful places where people have received him very well. He has made himself loved, he has made many friends, but today he does not feel comfortable where he is.

"He has been thinking for more than two years that he wants to be closer to his family and that is the reason why I think Edi is going to end up playing for a team from here in South America.

“We have spoken with Edinson and he always leans towards Boca because he had many conversations with [Juan Roman] Riquelme [Boca's sporting director].

"I know that he would like to play and be close to his country, so that we could be closer to him.

“I think that the return will take place in the middle of the year. He has to get together with [United] and reach an agreement in case they want him to stay or Edinson to withdraw from the contract."

Cavani received a three-match ban and was fined £100,000 by the Football Association in January after using a racially sensitive Spanish phrase in an Instagram post.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker immediately deleted the post, apologised and did not contest the charge “out of respect for the FA and the fight against racism in football”.

His father, however, suggested that the incident has affected Cavani and is playing on his mind as he weighs up his future.

"He was sentenced to three games for a nonsense," Luis said. "Here we use that word always. We are not racist. Part of that was weighing on the decision."