Raul Jimenez is sidelined after a serious head injury (Getty Images)
Paul Ince, the former Manchester United player, believes that Raul Jimenez would have been a better fit at the club instead of new signing Edinson Cavani (source – Express). He was said to be a bit puzzled as to why they would sign Cavani and not use him more often.
Raul Jimenez is a 29-year-old Mexican forward who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He started his youth career at Club America in 2008. Spending the next few seasons in the youth teams, he was promoted to the senior side in 2012.
He went on to make over 100 appearances for the Mexican side, scoring 36 goals and assisting another 16. Atletico Madrid signed him in 2014 but that spell did not last long as he was shipped to Benfica within a year, making 28 appearances for them.
A good stint at Benfica ensued with 120 games under his belt. He contributed to 46 goals during his time there. In 2018, he was loaned out to Wolverhampton after the club were promoted to the Premier League. Since then, the forward has been nothing but excellent for them.
His prolific first season made sure that Wolves made his loan deal permanent in 2019. So far, he has made 107 appearances, scoring 48 goals and assisting another 18 (source – Transfermarkt). Jimenez is a veteran of the Mexican national team with 82 games and 23 goals.
While Cavani is yet to get a good run in the team and Ince’s words might eventually be proven wrong in the future, he isn’t totally wrong about the situation. Manchester United got Edinson Cavani as a last-ditch option after failing to secure most of their primary targets in the summer.
After all that, you would be expecting Cavani to be lining up for the team on a more regular basis. Even with Martial’s 3-game suspension, Greenwood’s omission and Rashford’s slow start to the season, Cavani has not been afforded a start. He has just three substitute appearances to his name.
Cavani last played a game for PSG way back in March before the COVID enforced lockdown and is 33 years of age. Yes, his goal record is phenomenal but that does not discount the fact that he is clearly not an option the Old Trafford based outfit should be relying on.
Raul Jimenez has taken the Premier League by storm and has not stopped since his start with Wolves. Contributing 66 goals in 107 games is by no means an easy task in the Premier League. Yet, whenever he lines up, there is a legitimate goal threat.
He is also four years younger than Cavani and is in his prime. He would have been a much better option to have up front than Martial. The Frenchman has a very bad habit of being inconsistent. Jimenez clearly hasn’t faced any such issues over the last two seasons.
For now, Paul Ince’s statement holds up. Manchester United should have signed Raul Jimenez instead of Cavani.
