The 2019 African Cup of Nations’ goal-king is currently on loan at Old Trafford, but after impressing in his first few games, fans are calling for him to stay beyond the summer.
Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo could end up sealing a new two-year deal and having a statue built for him if the wishes of some Manchester United supporters were granted.
It’s a favourable situation to be in for the 30-year-old who, until the last day in January, was consigned to seeing out his football career in the less-fancied terrain of the Chinese Super League.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, pushed to the wall by his side’s goalscoring troubles and injury to key man Marcus Rashford, sanctioned the return to the Premier League of the former Watford ace on transfer deadline day.
A big United fan since childhood, Ighalo has grabbed the chance to star for his dream club with both hands, scoring four goals in his last five games for the Red Devils.
His club manager, Solskjaer has been impressed with his attitude on and off the pitch, and the Norwegian hinted that the club are already tempted to offer the retired Super Eagles star a permanent contract.
Latest reports reveal that the Old Trafford giants may have to cough out just £15 million to complete the deal with Ighalo’s parent club, Shanghai Shenhua.
But that’s just pittance compared to the fee it cost the 20-time English champions to sign Anthony Martial (£36m) and Romelu Lukaku (£75m).
Many United fans are delighted with the qualities Ighalo adds to a United side that have not lost a game since the ex-Granada man joined. Some are therefore urging the club to waste no time in extending Ighalo’s stay in England.
It is a no brainer for me
— Alan (@ACUnited1) March 15, 2020
Yes sign him on a 2-year deal. An extra option as we wait for Greenwood to grow.
Hopefully signing Haaland after a few seasons.
Sancho, James, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial, Haaland🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Peter Alexander Berg (@MrBerg94) March 15, 2020
Nevermind signing him. Utd fans wu demand a statue be built right next to the trinity one.
— Tiisetso Mofokeng (@_TiisetsoM) March 15, 2020
Ill take that if my dream was playing for Manchester United. I love the guy and he will great off the bench and a great squad player
— Mustafa Siddiqi (@M_Siddiqi2000) March 15, 2020
Yes! He has a positive attitude and wants to do a good job for the club.
— Ivan RedOne (@ivantovaritsj) March 15, 2020
It's his attitude and work ethic, wanting to be part of the team, a fan of the club, the desire. He's a top professional, a great example of how to conduct yourself in the right manner; he has no ego, at least not in a detrimental manner. All the right characteristics!
— Joe_GGMU (@justdont_dont) March 15, 2020
Yea. I think he truly loves the club, not the typical “It’s always my dream to play for Man Utd” bullshit.
Willingness to take a paycut just so he could stay… that’s something else
— Kassim the friendly syaitan (@friendlyhantu) March 15, 2020
But when Sanchez was there, he couldn't get a shot on target against these 'supposed' small teams. Take a break man, Ighalo has performed above your expectations. Admit it and have peace of mind.
— Mandrake (@omo_kelly) March 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/PuddinGRK86/status/1239126079132049408
the question should be how may years contract should he get.
— Dr Erique Cnyua (@EriqueCnyua) March 15, 2020
The guy is living his dream.he feels like the clubs good performance is on https://t.co/FTwO88ByvL sure he will perfom to keep that. Sign the man.
— vetoman (@sikuku_walter) March 15, 2020
Do it, do it now!
— Scott (@ScottUnited77) March 15, 2020
Yes. Bargain
— Giffy (@kevin_giffard) March 15, 2020
Hell yeah
— KLOSERRRR (@GloryUnitedMK) March 15, 2020
The English Premier League is currently on a three-week break enforced by the coronavirus epidemic, with Ighalo and teammates expected back in action on the third of April.