New Manchester United signing compared to Eric Cantona

The new Manchester United signing has been tipped to have the same impact as the former club legend Eric Cantona at Old Trafford.

Once upon a time Manchester United had a beacon of a man. Old Trafford lit up and sparkled upon his entrance on the turf. He kept the fans on the edge of their seats with his antics and utter genius. His name was Eric Cantona and he left an eternal mark on the Red Devils.

His legend still lingers around the theatre of dreams and many fans regard him as one of the best players to have played for the club. Cantona was a true character and a leader to follow. He treated football as battle and the pitch as a canvas. He was both a fighter and an artist and it is what made him the truly outstanding player that he was.

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Now when you come to think of Odion Ighalo the same words do not quite come to mind. The Nigerian forward had a solid spell in the Premier League a couple of years ago. But it was nothing special or extraordinary. Nonetheless it earned Ighalo a big money move to China and now somehow an unprecedented arrival at Old Trafford.

He comes with little expectations and with many questioning whether he is the right quality for the club.

Whilst not many similarities come to mind when you consider Ighalo and Cantona, former United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has tipped Odion Ighalo to make a similar impact to Eric Cantona. Speaking to Sky Sports News via the Metro, Bosnich said:

"‘You never know. A long, long time ago Manchester United signed a certain Frenchman (Eric Cantona) who no one really expected much from and he ended up propelling them to one of their most successful seasons of all time.’"

Those are high praises from the former United goalkeeper and one that will certainly raise some eyebrows from the Red Devils’ faithful.

Odion Ighalo arrives with much less pedigree than Eric Cantona and at a much older age.

Nonetheless in some aspect one can understand where Bosnich is coming from. Odion Ighalo must be given a chance. He has proven himself in the Premier League once and now he has the chance to do it again. The Nigeria will be raring to go.

And it would benefit United greatly if he indeed made a huge impact at Old Trafford. For now one can only hope. Only time will tell.

What do you think will Odion Ighalo be a good signing for Manchester United?