Edinson Cavani suffers fresh injury blow as Man Utd braced for another absence

Edinson Cavani is set for another spell on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury on international duty.

The Manchester United striker, 35, has played just 12 Premier League games this season after string of complaints, including a groin strain and tendon irritation. His latest injury was suffered during Uruguay's 2-0 win against Chile in the early hours of Friday morning.

Cavani started the World Cup qualifier in Santiago but was replaced by Liverpool and Barcelona legend Luis Suarez after just 29 minutes. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward was seen sitting on the floor stretching his calf before hobbling off the pitch.

United have acknowledged the injury, yet it's unclear how long Cavani will be unavailable for. There is a slim possibility he won't play again for Ralf Rangnick's side, as his existing Old Trafford deal expires at the end of season and is not expected to be renewed.

Rangnick is set to provide an update on Cavani's fitness on Friday ahead of his team's Premier League fixture against Leicester 24 hours later. United are currently sixth in the table, four points behind Arsenal in fourth having played a game more.

The Red Devils have nine league games remaining to salvage Champions League qualification. It's a tough run of fixtures, with away trips to title-chasing Liverpool and top-four rivals Arsenal - as well as a home clash against European champions Chelsea.

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United must also play Everton, Norwich and Brentford, who are all fighting for their survival near the bottom of the table. Their other two fixtures are against Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Cavani signed a one-year extension last summer after a decent first season at Old Trafford, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. He's been regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe for more than a decade, scoring 372 goals during his club career.

The Uruguayan enjoyed the bulk of his success at PSG, finding the back of the net 200 times and winning plenty of trophies - including six Ligue 1 titles. He was also prolific during a three-year spell at Italian side Napoli, scoring 104 goals in 138 appearances.

Rangnick is a fan of Cavani and will be frustrated by yet another injury. "I told him from the very first day he is a highly important player, he is probably the only one who can play as a striker [with his] back to goal and face to goal," said Rangnick in January.

"And as I said, his professionalism and his work ethic is just amazing. I told him I desperately want him to stay and stay until the end of the season, and he knows that. He also knows how highly I rate him and how highly I respect him."

Rangnick went on to say: "For me he is a highly important player for the rest of the season... I would rather have another Edi on top of that but for me it is clear Edi has to stay."