Rangnick rules out Cavani departure from Manchester United

The 34-year-old has scored 19 goals in 49 appearances for the Red Devils since Paris St Germain’s all-time top scorer joined on a free transfer in October 2020.

Cavani was strongly tipped to leave Old Trafford at the end of last season only to agree a one-year contract extension, but talk has once grown about the striker’s future.

Barcelona have been linked with a January move for the Uruguay international but Rangnick expects him to stay for the remainder of his contract.

“We had quite a few conversations in the last couple of weeks – probably the player with whom I have spoken most,” the United boss said ahead of Monday’s clash with Wolves.

“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. He also knows how highly I rate him and how highly I respect him, and that was also the reason why I played him (against Burnley) from the beginning together with Cristiano [Ronaldo].”