Ighalo Can Have The Same Impact As Cantona- Ex-Man Utd Star

The former Super Eagles star joined Manchester United on deadline day, and he has been tipped to have the level of impact Eric Cantona had during his time at OId Trafford.

Ighalo joined United on a six-month loan deal from Shanghai Shenhua, but it has divided the club’s fan base with many saying the club could have gone for a better striker.

With United struggling in front of goal following Marcus Rashford’s injury, United were in the market for a striker, and they had to settle for Ighalo.

While the move keeps generating mixed reactions, former United star Mark Bosnich believes the former Watford striker could have the same impact as Eric Cantona.

Cantona move from Leeds to United was seen as a surprise, but the Frenchman lit up Old Trafford, scoring 81 times in 179 appearances for United.

Bosnich believes Ighalo could also have this level of impact, although he did admit it is an emergency signing for the club.

“This was an emergency signing,” the former Red Devils goalkeeper told Skysports.

“I can understand a lot of people talking about a scattergun approach, well it had to be with Marcus Rashford being out.

“The top four is still possible for Manchester United, they had to go and get somebody.

“The boy that’s come in (Ighalo) has got nothing to lose, nobody expects anything unbelievable from him but they definitely needed somebody in that position.

“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”, he added.

Ighalo arrived at Manchester on Sunday, but he will have to wait till February 17 when United trade tackles with Chelsea before making his debut.