Solskjaer Rues Ighalo’s Hat-Trick Miss But Praises Striker’s Performance Against Derby

The Nigeria international helped Manchester United move into the FA Cup quarterfinals after he scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Derby at Pride Park on Thursday night. 

Despite scoring twice in what was just his second start, Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Ighalo should have had a hat-trick against Derby.

However, the former Cardiff manager went on to praise the 30-year-old for offering the team what other strikers don’t have.

Since joining from Shanghai Shenhua last month, Ighalo has made five appearances with just two as starts. But in those two starts, the former Nigeria international has scored three times.

He scored in the Europa League win over Club Brugge before scoring a brace last night. The first of his two goals came after he wriggled past two Derby defenders in the box to slot home.

His second came was a perfect finish into the roof of the net after his initial effort from Juan Mata’s cut back had been blocked.

The Nigerian had the chance to seal his hat-trick when he was set up by Andreas Pereira, but he could not keep his effort low.

Speaking after the game, United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised Ighalo’s impact since he came in, although he believes he should have scored a hat-trick.

“He should have had a third! Of course when you’ve got strikers you want them to be happy and confident going into the next game and we’ve got a big game on Sunday,” Solskjaer said on United’s website. 

He’s come in here, and of course, we’ve still got a few injuries, and Anthony [Martial] has struggled a little bit lately with some injuries so it’s great to have Odion to call upon and he’s a different type of striker.

“He holds it up well, and he scores. For the first one tonight, the ball’s underneath him, not many strikers could dig that out,” he added.