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‘He felt being a substitute was the best thing’ – Solskjaer confirms first-team star asked not to start against Burnley

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Edinson Cavani specifically requested not to start for Manchester United in the 3-1 victory over Burnley on Sunday.

The Red Devils claimed a comfortable triumph over the Lancashire minnows at Old Trafford to further solidify their position in the Premier League top-four race.

After scoring decisive goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Granada in the Premier League and the Europa League, Cavani was not ready to start the third game in seven days.

Despite growing increasingly influential at the Theatre of Dreams, the 34-year-old has problems keeping up with United’s hectic schedule.

Given his age, it is no wonder the Uruguay international has fatigue issues after being forced to play high-profile fixtures every three days.

With the exhaustion catching up with him, Cavani asked Solskjaer to leave him on the bench for Burnley’s visit yesterday.

“We have got to manage him well – he has not played or started three games in a week for a long time Edinson, so when I spoke to him, he felt being a substitute was the best thing,” Solskjaer said, as relayed by the Metro.

Despite coming on as a late substitute, Cavani got on the scoresheet in his third consecutive outing in all competitions.

The Uruguayan tapped the ball in following an unselfish delivery from another substitute Donny van de Beek to seal Burnley’s fate at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer is desperate to convince the veteran to prolong his stay in Manchester for another season.

The prolific striker has yet to decide whether he wants to extend his contract or return to South America with Boca Juniors.