Edinson Cavani is set to be missing yet again for Manchester United on Tuesday night – with the Uruguayan's injury woes threatening to ruin his final season at Old Trafford.
Cavani quickly won over the United faithful after plundering 17 goals last season.
But the 35-year-old has failed to have the same impact this term, with a string of injury issues meaning he's struck just twice.
Cavani was ruled out of United's 1-1 draw with Southampton last weekend with a groin issue after starting the midweek clash with Burnley.
And the former Paris Saint-Germain hitman has failed to recover in time for the showdown with Brighton.
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Remarkably, Tuesday night's game will mark the 18th time this season that Cavani has failed to make United's matchday squad in all competitions – more than the 15 times he's actually been included.
And it's that damning stat that threatens to undo Cavani's sterling maiden campaign.
The most frustrating aspect for United fans, and interim chief Ralf Rangnick, is that Cavani has still looked the part on the rare occasions that he has managed to feature.
It's not a coincidence that the German innovator turned to Cavani for last week's clash with Burnley in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's alarming goal drought.
The veteran has also been billed as a positive influence for United's clutch of exciting young stars amongst the Old Trafford dressing room.
Cavani had planned to quit the club at the end of last season before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer persuaded the hitman to extend his stay in the Premier League for another year to spearhead United's title bid.
But things could hardly have gone any worse for United, Cavani or Solskjaer over the past few months – with the latter paying the ultimate price for United's woeful form when he was given the boot back in November.
Although Cavani agreed to a surprise extension, it is anticipated that the striker will depart Old Trafford in the summer when his contract expires.
Barcelona have been credited with an interest in bringing Cavani to the Nou Camp in a bid to add some more firepower to Xavi Hernandez's side.
The Spanish giants were linked with making a move for the veteran in January, before Cavani committed his short-term future to United after crunch talks with Rangnick.
Despite Barcelona's long-standing interest, Cavani could elect to snub a move to the Nou Camp and instead return to South America.
Boca Juniors and River Plate have also shown an interest in snapping up the United man, meaning Cavani is unlikely to be short of suitors when he does bring the curtain down on his Old Trafford career.
