Manchester United striker finally receives official update on his future

Manchester United’s January loan-signing has agreed on an extension.

Manchester United were in a dire need of a striker in the last January transfer window. The club’s first-half of the 2019-20 season was full of unprecedented scenarios and unexpected results. Injury crisis was one of the main factors behind their failures.

So, the intention was very clear. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to sign a forward from the winter transfer market. There were some notable names on the transfer-shortlist. And it was looking as if United were trying to catch a big fish in Erling Braut Håland.

However, Mino Raiola, Erling Håland’s agent, did what he does the best to persuade his clients. His overwhelming demands to United’s chief executive Ed Woodward got rejected right away by the Mancunian club.

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Meanwhile, the super-agent’s cajoling words turned Håland’s mind from United to Borussia Dortmund, and the Norweigan striker joined the German side. As a result, United left empty-handed. But the hunt for a new striker was not over yet for Solskjaer as he targetted three more prodigies – Odion Ighalo, Islam Slimani, and Joshua King.

A bid for Joshua King got rejected by AFC Bournemouth on the deadline day of the transfer window. And having failed to find any other option, United went on to secure a six-month loan deal for the Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua‘s striker Odion Ighalo at the very last moment of the transfer period. one could say it was a panic buy.

Ighalo quoted his arrival at the red side of Manchester as “a dream come true”. He became the back-up striker and filled a pivotal spot in the group while United’s superstar Marcus Rashford was dealing with his back injury.

The 30-year-old began his life at Old Trafford in an outstanding manner, with four goals and one assist from 8 appearances across all competitions. He could have added more to that list had not the coronavirus outbreak brought all the footballing actions across Europe to a halt.

Manchester United, via an official announcement,  confirmed that the Nigerian’s stay at the club has been extended to 31 January 2021.

The official statement reads:

"The Nigerian striker’s stay was initially due to end on 31 May but he will now remain with the Reds until 31 January 2021, enabling him to build on an impressive start to life with the club he supported as a boy."

With Ighalo gained a contract renewal at the red side of Manchester, how many goals do you think he will score for United this season?