Manchester United target Edinson Cavani to lead attack next season

Manchester United have targeted Edinson Cavani as the man to spearhead their attack next season and will be making a bid for the Paris Saint-Germain man in the coming days, reports The Guardian.

The Uruguayan hasn't had the best of Copa America campaigns this season, being sent off against Chile for a double yellow, for mouthing and shoving the referee, followed by a dangerous tackle in the second half. However, his goalscoring record is impressive, with 37 goals for both club and country last season from 56 starts.

United are without Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao for the upcoming season. With Wayne Rooney as their senior-most striker, they need more quality up front to mount a serious bid for the title. The Dutchman reportedly left the club for a new challenge with Turkish club Fenerbahce, while Falcao's loan deal with Monaco was cut short after a paltry return of only four goals in the entire campaign last season.

The Red Devils can use Angel di Maria as a makeweight to land Cavani, with Laurent Blanc insisting the French club are still interested in signing the Argentine after failing to do so last season. The Telegraph reports that Di Maria is disillusioned by life at Manchester and is willing to seek a new challenge abroad, preferably in Spain.

The Red Devils have made some astute signings in the summer thus far, securing deals for Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, who will add much needed quality in midfield for the 20-time English champions.

Schweinsteiger, who will turn 31 later this month, has been hobbled by a series of injuries over the last few years, but his experience with the World Cup-winning Germany team and a indomitable Bayern Munich will add much value to the squad. Meanwhile, Schneiderlin will add some steel in midfield and would be the perfect replacement for Michael Carrick, who turns 34 later this month.