Edinson Cavani has admitted that playing his first season at Manchester United mostly behind closed doors has left a 'bitter taste' as his departure has been confirmed.
The veteran striker will leave United on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer after spending two years at Old Trafford.
The vast majority of Cavani's 19 goals for the club came without supporters in the stadium when matches had to be played behind closed doors at the height of the pandemic. That he wasn't able to play in front of the United fans more often is something that he regrets.
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“I wanted to contribute more this season,” he told United's in-house media. "One of the things that has left me with a slightly bitter taste is that when we had a highly enjoyable and pretty decent [2020/21] season, we weren’t able to have the supporters along with us.
“And now, this season, with the fans coming back into the grounds and stadiums, I haven’t really been able to have the kind of campaign, if I’m being honest, on a personal front that I would really have liked. Where I would have been able to score the kind of goals I did last season, and then be celebrating them a bit more with the fans - the kind of stuff that it’s great for a forward or a striker to be doing."
Despite that disappointment, Cavani has still moved to show his gratitude towards the United fanbase.
“But I want to sincerely thank the fans from the bottom of my heart" he added. "Because they have always shown me a lot of affection, and that is very important for a footballer.
“I sincerely have nothing but words of gratitude towards the fans and supporters of Manchester United. Honestly, they have shown me a lot of respect from the very first moment I arrived.
"I think they’ve greatly recognised all the hard work I’ve always tried to put in in the best way possible, giving my best for this team. I really am very grateful, and I’ll be leaving here with a happy memory of that affection they showed me and always displayed.”
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