Cavani confirms decision on Man Utd future in phone call with Ralf Rangnick

Edinson Cavani has reiterated his dedication to Manchester United in a 30-minute phone call with Ralf Rangnick.

It comes amid speculation that the striker was contemplating his future amid interest from Barcelona but the Red Devils coach has put that to bed.

That will be a huge sigh of relief for Rangnick, who finds himself trying to put fires out in nearly every corner of the club.

The German coach has inherited a large squad with plenty of problems from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with as many as 17 players eyeing the exit door.

They include the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and even Cristiano Ronaldo has made calls to arrange a potential departure from the club - just months after signing.

Cavani has also been listed as his contract expires at the end of the season with interest in his services.

The Uruguay international is free to speak to foreign clubs now over a pre-contract agreement while he has been less than happy with his playing-time - which has drastically lowered compared to last season.

However, Rangnick revealed that the former Paris Saint-Germain hitman had spoken to him over the phone where he insisted he would be going nowhere.

He said: "We spoke for almost half an hour. He told me he will definitely stay. I can rely on him to give his very best and be role model for young players."

That last point made might be the most important with six months left on his deal and plenty of players at the club desperate to be mentored.

Mason Greenwood is perhaps United's best chance at a generational star and his finishing is a joy to behold but learning to master his craft will need someone like Cavani, a striker that has been scoring goals for years, to help take his game to the next level.

The same can be said for other youngsters including Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire and Amad Diallo.

Nevertheless, Cavani will be desperate for more of a role on the pitch while Rangnick has already started to utilise the forward much more since his official arrival in December.

Cavani has not had the same impact as he did at Old Trafford last year this season round - largely due to the arrival of Ronaldo.

Injuries have ravaged the 34-year-old, who started just twice in the Premier League under Solskjaer but has been utilised more by Rangnick.

He started both games against Burnley and Wolves and was brought on at half-time vs Newcastle, where he scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Barcelona are not the only club interested in Cavani's services and a return to South America has also been mooted.

Boca Juniors were keen last summer only for the ex-Napoli ace to pen a new one-year deal at Old Trafford instead.