The Manchester United boss was left impressed with the finishing instincts of the on-loan forward after he found the back of the net on his full home debut for the club in a 5-0 thrashing of Club Brugge
On a night to remember for all times, Odion Ighalo became the first Nigerian star to score for the Red Devils.
United were dominant from start to finish with goals from new boys Bruno Fernandez and Odion Ighalo opening the floodgates before a fine Scott McTominay strike and a late Fred double completed the rout.
The visitors had Simon Deli sent off for the handball that gave Bruno his spot-kick, and the Reds took full advantage of the extra man.
But it was Ighalo's goal – his first since joining United on a temporary deal in January – that was a landmark moment for both player and club.
Fernandes picked out Mata with a lovely overhead pass; the Spaniard then squared the ball for Ighalo to open his United goal account from six yards out in the 34th minute.
The goal brought out a special celebration from the retired Super Eagles striker and a ton of praise from his manager.
“I think, as a fellow striker myself, I know (how) important that first goal is, and he’s been close a couple of times,” Solskjaer told the official club website.
“You can see he sniffs goals; he wants to be there, where it sometimes hurts.
“That goal, he was sharp in his head and, as that ball is played over to Juan, he spins and was on the six-yard line when Juan puts it there.
“That’s a natural striker.”
Ighalo will hope to continue to impress his manager, the man who put great faith in bringing him to his childhood dream of playing for Manchester United.
