Edinson Cavani will ESCAPE a ban for his 'throat grab' clash with Yerry Mina after ref claimed he saw the incident, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails striker for demanding Manchester United's iconic No 7 shirt

• Edinson Cavani appeared to grab Everton's Yerry Mina by the throat and push him to the floor during last week's Carabao Cup quarter-final
• But Cavani isn't expected to face retrospective punishment by the FA
• It is understood referee Andy Madley witnessed the incident at the time 
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed Cavani demanded the iconic No 7 shirt at United
• The manager says he had no doubts Uruguayan could handle burden of shirt
• The squad number was worn by likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona 

Edinson Cavani will not be banned by the Football Association for his clash with Everton's Yerry Mina last week in a boost for Manchester United.

The Uruguayan striker appeared to grab Mina by the throat and push him to the ground during the second-half of the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Cavani stayed on the pitch and went on to open the scoring for United in the 88th minute at Goodison Park.

The Video Assistant Referee wasn't in use - it is only in operation from the semi-finals onwards in the Carabao Cup - and so Cavani faced the prospect of a possible three-match suspension enforced retrospectively.

However, according to the Daily Telegraph, it is understood referee Andy Madley said in his match report that he did see the incident at the time and felt it didn't warrant further action, thus removing the prospect of retrospective punishment.  

Cavani still faces the prospect of a minimum three-match ban after being charged with misconduct and an aggravated breach of the FA's race rules after he wrote 'Gracias negrito' in an Instagram post following his two goals at Southampton.

The 33-year-old apologised for any offence caused and removed the post but has until next Monday to respond to the charge.

If proven, he could be fined and sent on an education course as well as serving the ban.

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no doubts that Cavani is worthy of the iconic No 7 shirt at United after demanding it when he joined the club in October.

The number has become synonymous down the years with United greats like George Best, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Bryan Robson – as well as a few duds such as Alexis Sanchez, Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay.

Cavani wore No 7 earlier in his career at Napoli and Palermo but switched to No 9 for much of his time at PSG. However, the 33-year-old striker made it clear that he wanted the shirt when he arrived at United as a free agent.

'That was the first thing he asked me when I spoke to him, if he could wear the No 7,' said Solskjaer.

'Obviously we are talking about the history of the shirt. When you think of the history of his career and the experience he has had, his personality from the chat I had with him and when I watched him before, it wasn't in doubt that he could handle the No 7 shirt.

'He is so meticulous and professional. His habits and everything about him show why he has had the career he has. Even at the age he is now he is one of the fittest players we have got.'

Although nine of Cavani's 13 appearances for United so far have been as a substitute, Solskjaer considers the Uruguay international a starter.

Cavani came off the bench in a 2-2 draw at Leicester on Saturday to set up United's second goal for Bruno Fernandes, having previously made goalscoring contributions as a substitute at Southampton and Everton last month.

'He is definitely a starter,' added Solskjaer. 'You don't classify a player of that quality as anything else. We have plenty of starters, more than 11. That is the thing when you are at Man United.

'You should believe and trust in yourself. I trust him. We have good competition for places. He will probably start more games than he will not start.'

United, who could lose Cavani for at least three games if he is found guilty of misconduct over a social media post, signed him on a one-year contract with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

'At the moment it looks like he has a few years left in him so I wouldn't say anything else,' said Solskjaer. 'He has made a great impact when he has come here. Let's focus on improving everyone but he has a few years left in him.'

Cavani could return to the starting line-up against Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday with Solskjaer having used 20 players so far over the Christmas period.

'We have to do it this way,' said the United boss. 'It's good for the players to know we trust them to play in big games.

'They are here for a reason. They are here to contribute and over this period, they will all have to do that this season because it is going to be relentless. I hope that will stand us in good stead.

'This year has been a strange one. When you play for Man Utd, you get used to the rhythm of playing and recovery and playing. I have a big squad, so you have to prepare them physically and mentally.'