Pranav Nair
Manchester United sign Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo on loan
Manchester United have signed former Watford striker Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season. (h/t BBC)
The report confirms that the loan deal does not include an option to buy.
The Nigerian striker has experience of playing in the English Premier League having had made 55 appearances for Watford in the top tier of English football.
The 30-year-old has been prolific for Shanghai and led the club to the Chinese FA Cup in 2019.
United have been in the market for a striker and have been linked to the likes of Danny Ings, Islam Slimani and Joshua King.
A smart short term solution?
Ighalo already has experience of playing in the Premier League and can be readily thrown into the fray. The forward also has the physique and ability to play as a target man upfront. He can help create pockets for the likes of Anthony Martial and Daniel James to run into.
United were in desperate need of a striker since Marcus Rashford’s injury. Rather than panic and spent heavily on the wrong player, the loan deal will give the Red Devils the time to regroup and identify targets for the summer.
Having strengthened their attack by adding Ighalo and Bruno Fernandes, Solksjaer can now try to assault a faltering Chelsea side in the race for top four.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United fail to re-sign striker Joshua King
- Manchester United agree on deal to sign Bruno Fernandes
- Marcos Rojo to join Argentine club Estudiantes on loan
The Red Devils previously signed a senior striker on loan when they procured Radamel Falcao in 2014. We hope that Ighalo will fare much better.
