Ole Gunnar Solskjaer allowed the Belgian forward to leave Old Trafford in the summer without bringing in a direct replacement. But, the Nigerian star came in January to fill the void and captured fans hearts.
Odion Ighalo is everything – and a bit more – United expected from Romelu Lukaku before the former Chelsea ace departed for Inter Milan just before the season kicked off.
Ighalo sealed a stunning January move from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, but there were doubts about his ability to succeed at Old Trafford.
However, the former Watford striker has laid those doubts to rest with three goals in seven appearances, including his brace in their FA Cup victory against Derby County last Thursday.
Almost as impressive was his eight-minute cameo in United's 2-0 defeat of bitter rivals Man City on Sunday.
The striker worked hard, and there was one moment that impressed fans.
In the early stages of injury-time, an under-pressure Ighalo produced a perfect first touch from a David de Gea long ball before passing the ball off to Fred.
It was a moment that brought back memories of former striker Lukaku who was often criticized for his poor first touch and his penchant for giving away possession.
And United fans were quick to notice that Ighalo is much more accomplished in that department.
Dimitar Berbatov was th Bulgarian Ighalo
— Déz (@dezfootie) March 9, 2020
Odion Ighalo >>>>>>>> Lukaku if you don’t agree go argue with your grandma https://t.co/8dVGk0ni7t
— Wolf Warrior 2.0 (@Lamilez) March 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/JadSaad99/status/1237005725249032193
Ighalo is Lukaku but with better control
— Abdul ꦲꦲꦢꦶꦲꦼꦂꦨꦺꦴꦮꦺꦴ (@a_h_ganda) March 9, 2020
Romelu Lukaku against Juventus
77 mins played
0 Goals
0 Assists
0 Shots
14 touches(least on the pitch)
0 Dribbles attempted
0 Aerials won
3 Aerials lost
2 dispossessedHe was/is/will be shit against decent opponents.
No way United is missing him, Ighalo is 10 times the player.— Apoorva Verma (@RashfordsBitch) March 9, 2020
That was an orgasmic first touch control from ighalo. As much as I love Lukaku, I don't see him doing this. https://t.co/mw2j6lfeu1
— RJ (@rj29muplc) March 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/thashil_lvtch/status/1236718189247070217
https://twitter.com/OTFaithful/status/1236964346355384321
https://twitter.com/26scholes/status/1235675939947925505
https://twitter.com/UtdChe/status/1236721992214163456
https://twitter.com/MU4485858558/status/1236720922222043137
https://twitter.com/16Sleemo/status/1236753707620085760
When Lukaku saw Ighalo’s first touch :))) pic.twitter.com/vVuRuvClbk
— Sunrise_image (@EzekielChibuik6) March 8, 2020
Odion ighalo is holding up play like dennis bergkamp in a Manchester derby whilst lukaku is still chasing his first touch whilst losing to juventus
— ♟️ (@oooxouu) March 9, 2020
Up Ighalo.
Up Man U.
Up Nigeria
keep it on omo iya