Edinson Cavani has just performed memorably against AS Roma in the Europa League. The game saw the Uruguayan forward be involved in five goals for his side. His place in the starting lineup, however, came as a result of Anthony Martial’s injury. It all begs the question: Is Cavani a better choice for the striker position at Manchester United than Anthony Martial? Let’s see what the stats and their performance in FootballCoin have to say.
Edinson Cavani’s career
Edinson Cavani is 34 years old. He has been one of the most famous forwards in world football for a long time. Still, arriving on a free transfer to Manchester United, the Uruguayan was never presented as the first choice in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s line-up.
Cavani’s stock first shot up when he playing for Palermo. Next, he moved to Napoli where he became one of the most proficient goal scorers in Serie A. In 2013 he joined Paris Saint-Germain. Spending seven years in the French capital, he became the club’s greatest ever scorer. He joined Man. Utd. in 2020 on a free deal.
Cavani has represented the Uruguay national team on 118 occasions, scoring 51 times. He has represented his country in three World Cup tournaments.
Anothony Martial’s career
Anthony Martial is 25-years-old. He first made a name for himself as a promising youngster passing through the youth system at Lyon. He then moved AS Monaco, spending two seasons. In 2015, Manchester United signed him for a deal of up to £58 million. The transfer made him the most valuable youth player in the world.
Martial has never made less than 25 league appearances for United in a season. Despite his reputation, it has taken a while for fans to warm to the player. Blessed with tremendous potential, the Frenchman struggled to find a role best suited for him.
Until present, Martial has won the FA Cup, one Community Shield, and the 2017 Europa League trophy. His best scoring season has been the 2019/20 campaign. He scored 17 goals when he was switched from a winger role to that of a forward.
Anthony Martial has earned 27 caps for the France national team. He has scored once for the senior side. In 2016, he earned a runners-up medal at the European Championship.
Cavani versus Martial’s stats
Both Cavani and Martial have made 22 appearances for United this season in the EPL. However, Martial started 17 matches in the EPL, while Cavani only 15. In all competitions, Martial leads by 38 appearances to 33. Both have played mostly in a forward role, but have, occasionally switched to playing in a winger position.
Anthony Martial has scored 7 goals for United across all competitions and provided 6 assists. Cavani has scored 12 goals and offered 4 assists.
Cavani has a stronger shots to goal conversion rate. The Uruguayan’s Expected goals ratio is 7.26, while Martial’s is 6.87. In other words, the Frenchman makes fewer shots on target and gets into fewer clear cut chances.
Defensively, both players contribute in similar amounts. Martial makes more tackles. Cavani, however, makes more interceptions that are transformed into counter-attacks.
Who’s a more natural forward?
The final point of the debate has to do with which player is a more natural choice for the role of forward. It should be remembered that Edinson Cavani has played as a striker for most of his career. Anthony Martial, however, has often been used as a winger or in an inside forward role both for France and Man. United.
Anthony Martial makes more key passes than Edinson Cavani. He provides more assists. However, he finds himself less often in dangerous situations.
Cavani seems to posses better movement without the ball. Operating as a classic number 9, he consistently looks for space behind the defenders.
While Martial may possess the better amount of skill on the ball, Cavani is an expert in finding the net. The Uruguayan is better in the air, and is great at finishing off attacks.
Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani are players possessing differences attributed. Together they bring a wide array of skills to Manchester United. Overall, the team has performed better this season than in years prior. Cavani may be the more obvious choice of striker. However, Martial’s skill, involvement, and ability to adapt cannot be overlooked. In the two players, Solskjaer has the options to round off an incredible attacking line for the Red Devils.
Will you be choosing Anthony Martial or Edinson Cavani for your FootballCoin draft? Have your say and get ready to win XFC prizes.
