Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani is unlikely to feature for the first team for a while after stating that he has yet to return to group training.

The Uruguayan has not played a competitive match since February and following his free transfer earlier this month, he had to train by himself after being instructed to quarantine following his arrival in England. Cavani feels he needs more time to get back to full match fitness:

“I think I’m probably just missing that contact with my team-mates, and getting up to speed with, say, small-sided drills on the training ground and the intensity of a game itself. But that’s what we’re here for, to work hard, and we’re trying to do our level best so that from the moment I start training with my team-mates, I can get up to speed in as short a period as possible and be competing straight away and giving my best for the group.”

Cavani could have made his debut in the Champion League group game against former club Paris Saint-Germain next week but his comments suggest that is very unlikely.

It may well be the case he requires another week or two before he is available with the beginning of November probably a more realistic date for him to make his United debut.

Many have questioned the need to sign Cavani, with the Uruguayan international turning 34 on his next birthday in February.