Manchester United striker update for Leeds United clash as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provides Red Devils team news

MANCHESTER United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says striker Edinson Cavani should be available for Sunday's showdown against Leeds United at Old Trafford.
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The Uruguayan forward has missed his side's last three games in all competitions with a groin issue but trained on Friday, after which Solskjaer provided a positive update as to his condition.

Longer term, Cavani could be heading for another absence after being charged by the Football Association for misconduct following a social media post containing the word 'negrito'.

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The striker could be looking at a three-game ban or an appeals process but Solskjaer says the 33-year-old should be in shape to face Leeds.

'AVAILABLE': Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, pictured bottom of the pile celebrating his last-minute winner in last month's 3-2 triumph at Southampton. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images.'AVAILABLE': Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, pictured bottom of the pile celebrating his last-minute winner in last month's 3-2 triumph at Southampton. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images.
'AVAILABLE': Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, pictured bottom of the pile celebrating his last-minute winner in last month's 3-2 triumph at Southampton. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images.

“Edinson will be available, I think, yeah,” said Solskjaer on Friday afternoon, as quoted by www.manutd.com.

“He trained this morning so he should be available for the Leeds game."

With Cavani set to be fit, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are the Red Devils' only current injuries with both expected to return in the new year.

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Defensive duo Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe had suffered knocks with neither part of the 18 for Thursday night's 3-2 win at Sheffield United but Solskjaer said: "Eric and Axel had small injuries but are available for us and, for Leeds, I hope so. So let’s see what we do.

“I don’t think we lost anyone (during the win over Sheffield United).

"When you win games, the boys never feel the little knocks and bruises too badly.”

Cavani, meanwhile, was charged with misconduct by the FA over the use of a racial term in a social media post.

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The 33-year-old Uruguayan posted a message on Instagram on November 29 which contained the word 'negrito'.

He deleted the post and issued an apology, but on Thursday the FA announced he had been charged.

The FA said Cavani had until Monday, January 4 to respond to the charge.

United issued a statement in response to the charge which read: "Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism and we will continue to work with the FA - along with other governing bodies and organisations, and through our own campaigns - in that regard.

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"We note the FA decision to charge Edinson Cavani for his social media reply to a friend's message of congratulations, following the Southampton game.

"Edinson and the club were clear that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind the message, which he deleted and apologised for, as soon as he was informed that it could have been misconstrued.

"The player and the club will now consider the charge and respond to the FA accordingly."

Cavani issued an apology on November 30.

"The message I posted after the game on Sunday was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game. The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone," he said.

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"I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently.

"I would like to sincerely apologise for this."

Solskjaer said: "We have spoken to Edinson about it. He's apologised. We know it wasn't meant in a malicious way.

"He's explained and there's cultural differences there and linguistic differences. He's apologised, he hopes that mistake isn't going to be costly and he's still working on his fitness.

"He's very meticulous on his rehab work."

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Thank you Laura Collins