Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick says he "desperately" wants striker Edinson Cavani to stay at Old Trafford until the end of the season.
Cavani, who joined United on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain in 2020, signed a contract extension with the club until June 2022.
The Uruguay international has been linked with Barcelona and Juventus in the January transfer window.
"He knows that I will definitely not let him go," said Rangnick.
Cavani, 34, came off the bench to score a second-half equaliser in United's 1-1 draw at Newcastle last week and partnered Cristiano Ronaldo up front during the 3-1 win over Burnley three days later.
"I told him from the very first day that, for me, he is a highly important player," added Rangnick. "He is probably the only one who can play as a striker back to goal and face to goal.
"And, as I said, his professionalism, his work ethic is just amazing and I told him that I desperately want him to stay until the end of the season. He knows that. He also knows how highly I rate him and how highly I respect him.
"We will definitely need Edi. I would rather have another Edi on top of that but for me it's clear that Edi has to stay."
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