Manchester United striker, Edinson Cavani, is set to face former club Paris Saint-Germain despite a Football Association probe into an alleged racial slur he made on social media.
Cavani was replying to congratulations for his starring role in United’s stunning 3-2 comeback win at Southampton on Sunday when he provided an assist for Bruno Fernandes before winning the match with two superb headers.
The 33-year-old now faces a possible three-game ban, the FA’s minimum sanction for racist and discriminatory language and behaviour offences.
‘Of course we’ve communicated with Edinson and he’s really, deeply sorry for the mistake he’s made,’ Solskjaer said.
‘There was no malicious intent at all. It was just an affectionate greeting to a friend of his. But we explained to him, he’s been asked by the FA to explain, so of course he’ll co-operate with them and we’ll support him.
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‘It is one of those unfortunate situations he’s just come into the country and in Uruguay it’s been used in a different affection than what we have. We’ll support him but of course we support the FA. It’s important the FA have asked him to explain.’
Solskjaer has no doubt Cavani is ready to help United try to clinch a place in the Champions League’s knockout stages.
‘Edinson is ready to play,’ he said. ‘It’s special for him to play against PSG, his old club where he’s the top scorer, so that’ll affect him mentally but I know that will give him energy and he’ll be ready.
‘He’s so professional, experienced. He’s learnt a lesson and it might affect him, but he’ll just have to put it to one side.’
Solskjaer has echoed former United star Gary Neville’s view the offence Cavani’s post caused underlines the need for education across the board.
‘I saw Gary said something on maybe all the players coming from different cultures should be educated and I’m sure Edinson has learnt the hard way,’ he added.