Manchester United dealt huge blow in Odion Ighalo replacement
By Bence Bocsak
According to the latest reports, Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their attempts to replace Odion Ighalo in the summer transfer window.
When Odion Ighalo arrived at Manchester United, he made history. By signing on the dotted line, Ighalo became the first Nigerian player to play for the Red Devils in the club’s entire history.
When you consider the richness of Nigeria’s footballing history, perhaps that fact might surprise you.
Odion Ighalo is hardly up there with the glamorous names of Jay Jay Okocha, Nwakano Kanu and John Obi Mikel, however he could soon be.
Despite all the ridicule and taunts which greeted him upon his arrival at Old Trafford by rival fans, Ighalo has taken the surprising move to the club in his stride.
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The Nigerian forward has scored in all four of his starts for the club so far. He has a total of 4 goals and 1 assists in 8 games in all competitions for the Red Devils.
That is an impressive statistic and unprecedented. However, United will be looking for a more permanent solution to their attacking woes when the summer transfer window resumes.
Considering Odion Ighalo will be turning 31 in the summer, the Red Devils will need a more long term option who suits Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s youthful philosophy.
And according to the Athletic’s David Ornstein via the Daily Star United were on the brink of making an offer for a striker of that ilk before the unprecedented lockdown occurred in the United Kingdom.
Prior to the suspension of the football, Ornstein claims Ighalo was expected to return to China. However with the current situation the Nigerian forward might remain at Old Trafford for a while longer as it ‘has thrown everything up in the air.’
It’s curious to speculate on who the striker the Red Devils were about to make a bid for would have been.
United have been linked with the likes of Moussa Dembele and Victor Osimhen, and with the pair of them well suited to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s philosophy it could have been one of the two.
Of course considering how well Ighalo has started, there will be scant few complaints about the Nigerian remaining at Old Trafford if the situation prevents Solskjaer from making a more permanent signing.
Next. United could be about to sell these old stalwarts. dark
Who do you think the striker was that the club were about to make a bid for?