Odion Ighalo hoping his Manchester United dream doesn’t end too soon as loan expiry looms
- Odion Ighalo has made a lasting impression at Old Trafford despite limited playing time
- The Nigerian has scored three times for United, but could be headed back to China before Premier League season restarts
Manchester United’s players hope Odion Ighalo stays at the club after his loan spell ends this Sunday. His manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants him to “finish off what he’s started” and the Nigerian striker wants to stay, but if he never plays another game for United, he’ll be remembered fondly for his contribution even though his loan spell was limited to just four weeks of games, no Premier League starts and 319 minutes of football.
Ighalo scored in all three games he started and was having a superb March 2020 until the lockdown. His goal at LASK in United’s last match is a contender for goal of the season.
As fellow January signing Bruno Fernandes strode forward, Ighalo, surrounded by defenders, shouted “Bruno!” clearly audible in the near empty stadium. The pass forward was controlled with mid air touches with both feet before he struck a shot which rose from the edge of the box into the top corner. The biggest cheer came from the 14 men on the United bench as the Nigerian ran towards an empty bank of seats and saluted towards the sky. Ighalo’s sister died in December and he’s dedicated his goals to her.
The strike was the fourth in two weeks for the 30-year-old lifelong United fan who wore the team’s shirts as a boy in Lagos.
“United are hugely popular in Nigeria and Ighalo’s signing took that interest to an unimaginable level,” explains his compatriot and United fan Abdullahi Abdu Paiko. “Words are not enough to describe the pride of seeing a Nigerian wearing the red shirt for the first time in history. He became a source of inspiration for every Nigerian who dares to dream – even a young boy in a Lagos slum kicking a football on a dusty pitch.”
Ighalo brightens up the Carrington training ground where he’s considered polite, with a ready smile and always in a good mood. He’s training for a season that will restart on June 17 with United at Tottenham a few days later.
A return to China is not definite, especially as foreign Chinese Super League players may not be able to go back until October. United know that could play into their hands and change Shenua’s original stance that they’d only agree to extend his loan if an obligation to buy was in the deal. The Nigerian would be likely to cost upwards of £20m, a figure United would be reluctant to pay. They wouldn’t match the wages he receives at Shenua either, where he’s one of the world’s best paid footballers.
With Rashford a week away from full fitness, United’s need isn’t as pressing as it was when Igahlo signed in the final minutes of January’s transfer window.
Bringing a 30-year-old former Watford striker with nine previous clubs to his name, from China brought a barrage of criticism. Top European clubs didn’t sign players from China, yet Paulinho excelled for Barca the previous season.
When Ighalo’s agent wrote “Dreams do come true” with a picture of Ighalo in a United shirt, the first response was: “Dreams come true because United’s are now at Watford’s level.” True, Ighalo wasn’t a big name star – but then Angel Di Maria or Bastian Schweinsteiger were and neither excelled at United.
With Rashford out for the rest of the original season, Alexis Sanchez on loan, Romelu Lukaku sold, Paul Pogba injured and Mason Greenwood still just 18, United needed a forward as they fought on three fronts. As Barcelona and Chelsea experienced, bringing one in with top-level experience wasn’t easy. Ighalo turned down Chelsea, while Barca had considered signing Ighalo the previous year after he was top scorer in the AFCON and United made up their mind after Greenwood was ineffective in their Manchester derby win. They needed another player, went for Bournemouth’s Josh King but settled on the Nigerian for his Premier League experience and solid goalscoring rate.
On the night he signed, a message came from Watford: “United are getting a great striker and a class bloke off the field. Plus there’s a great song for his name (To Spandau Ballet’s Gold, Watford fans sang “Ighalo! O! Always believe in your soul! You’ve got the power to know, you’re indestructible! Ighalo”).
Ighalo’s debut was delayed as he had to stay away from the training ground since he’d travelled from China. His debut was a one-minute cameo in a 2-0 win at Chelsea.
Fans took to him quickly and the Stretford End sang: “Ighalo scores … we’re on the pitch” when he made his home debut as a substitute against his former club Watford. He didn’t.
In fact he never started a Premier League game as Solskjaer went with Greenwood – whom he’s delighted with – but Ighalo came off the bench four times, playing a total of just 31 league minutes. He didn’t score, but did in cup competitions. He lived up to his own description of himself as “very fast, skilful and strong.”
In January, the loan deal worked for Shenua. They’d receive money ahead of the salary cap, their player would stay match fit and be at a prestigious club. Now, they have their own season to think of as they continue to negotiate with United. One option being considered is extending the loan until January. That could work for all parties, but nothing is certain in these most difficult times.
