Edinson Cavani helped quash suggestions that he is a Manchester United ‘mood killer’ after showing his delight at their late winner against West Ham.
The Uruguayan has just months remaining on his current contract and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Cavani is now free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with clubs from abroad and has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.
United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has already been forced to put his foot down over any suggestion that the veteran forward could leave this month, confirming he is central to their plans.
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"We had quite a few conversations in the last couple of weeks - probably the player with whom I have spoken most," he said at the start of January.
"I told him from the very first day that, for me, he is a highly important player. He is probably the only one who can play as a striker back to goal and face to goal.
"His professionalism, his work ethic is just amazing and I told him that I desperately want him to stay until the end of the season. He knows that.”
However, speculation has continued to earmark Cavani as a player United will look to move on, with German publication BILD naming him as one of three supposed ‘troublemakers’ in the Old Trafford dressing room.
The report claimed Cavani, along with Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba have mobilised against the temporary manager and are reluctant to follow his instructions.
However, both Cavani and Martial did the opposite of killing the mood on Saturday, with the two linking up in the dying embers to secure a vital three points in their hunt for Champions League football.
Martial, who was making his first appearance since admitting he hopes to leave the club, was found by Cristiano Ronaldo, before laying the ball at the feet of Cavani.
And with just seconds left on the clock, Cavani was the coolest man in the stadium to roll the ball across the box for Marcus Rashford to crash home a late winner.
Immediately following the goal, if there were any doubts over Cavani’s attitude or his commitment to the cause, they were extinguished as he celebrated in a state of total euphoria.
Whilst some ran towards the goalscorer, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward was unable to control his emotions and sprinted straight towards the jubilant Stretford End.
He was then joined by Rashford, who he lifted into the air, before Cavani stayed behind an extra few seconds to milk in the adulation of a vociferous home support.
Rangnick labelled the home support the best since his appointment and Cavani’s intervention ensured their mood was nothing but joyous as they poured out of the stadium.
