The Manchester United legend has expressed his doubts that the Nigeria international is the right man to lead the line for the club in the absence of Marcos Rashford.
Paul Scholes admits that Odion Ighalo’s goalscoring stats are impressive, but he fears the Nigerian may still not possess the quality needed to help the Red Devils achieve their objectives for the season.
The Red Devils loaned 30-year-old Ighalo on transfer deadline day from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua. United’s decision to bring the former Watford striker back to the Premier League caught everyone by surprise.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was forced to improve his squad when his star striker, Marcos Rashford, suffered a long-term injury. And throughout the January transfer window, the Red Devils were linked with a host of players.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, Bournemouth striker Josh King and Brighton’s Glenn Murray were all linked with a move to Old Trafford.
But United eventually turned their attentions to the former Super Eagles man before signing him on a temporary deal without an option to buy at the expiration of his contract.
Nigerians are pleased to have one of their own finally take to the pitch for the Old Trafford giants.
However, a former Manchester United hero Scholes is not convinced that Ighalo is the kind of proven finisher Solskjaer’s side desperately needs.
“I don’t think he’s a signing for the long term. I think his scoring record in China is very good, but is it that credible? I don’t know, ” Scholes said, according to quotes carried by The Mirror.
“He’s an out-and-out centre forward, and I don’t think United have an out-and-out centre-forward. He’ll play with his back to goal, and he might bring players into play.
“It’s good to have an extra body, but when you’re United, you want an extra body with quality, and he’s got that to prove.
“He’ll bring something different. I don’t see him starting many games,” Scholes added about the ex-Granada forward.
