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‘Hard to see this dream come to an end’ – Ighalo bids farewell to Man Utd

January 27, 2021 No Comments

Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo has penned an emotional farewell post to Manchester United as the end of his loan contract approaches.

The 32-year-old joined the Red Devils on loan in January 2020 from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua, and is set to leave at the end of this month.

Ighalo, in a social media post on Tuesday, expressed gladness over the fulfillment of his childhood dream to play for the Old Trafford club, adding that it was hard to see it come to an end.

“It’s so hard to see this dream come to an end,” Ighalo wrote on Instagram.

“But I give God the glory for helping me fulfill this lifelong dream of putting on a Manchester United shirt as a player and represent this great club, it was indeed an honor I will forever cherish and be grateful for.”

The former Nigeria international has made only four appearances for the Red Devils this season.

With the recent signing of Edinson Cavani from Paris St-Germain by manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer, Ighalo, who scored five times last season, had struggled to get playing time.

But Ighalo has thanked the manager for believing in him and also his teammates as well the club fans, as he hopes United will win the League and Cup double this season.

“To the manager I say thank you for trusting and believing in me when many did not, to my amazing team-mates I will miss you guys.

“And I pray we win the LEAGUE and FA Cup this year.

“I’m still and would remain a MANCHESTER UNITED FAN forever. Once a Red, always a Red. Thank you Manchester United and God bless,” he added.

Solskjær reiterates Ighalo’s importance at Manchester United

October 20, 2020 No Comments

The 31-year-old has sparingly featured for the Red Devils in the current campaign but his boss has revealed he remains a key part of his side

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has reiterated Odion Ighalo’s importance for the Premier League club.

The 31-year-old has been struggling for game time in the 2020-21 campaign despite his eye-catching performances in his debut season with the Red Devils.

The forward scored five goals in 19 appearances across all competitions last season to become the toast of the club fans.

His fine displays earned him a loan extension at the Old Trafford until January 2021 after teaming up with the side from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.

Ighalo has, however, featured in three games in all competitions in the current campaign involving 207 minutes.

The forward is behind Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in the pecking order and the Red Devils also recently bolstered their attack with the signing of Edinson Cavani from Paris Saint- Germain.

Despite the limited game time, the Norwegian tactician has assured the former Nigeria international of his future with the side.

“I think, as a team and club, we always want to get players in,” Solskjær said in a press conference.

“I think Edinson coming in will try and do that to the Premier League, and we’ll give him time to adapt to this team and to get his sharpness and fitness back.

“We’ve had some very good performances from Odion and he is still a very important part of this squad.”

Ighalo will hope to play a part for Manchester United when they take on PSG in Tuesday’s Champions League game.

The forward had previously featured for Watford, Udinese, Lyn and Changchun Yatai before he teamed up with Shanghai Shenhua.

Ighalo had 35 caps and 16 goals for Nigeria before his retirement from international duty after helping the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.