Former Watford striker Odion Ighalo has disclosed that the Arsenal legend sent him a congratulatory message and bits of advice after he completed a stunning switch to the Old Trafford on transfer deadline day.
Nigerian football hero Nwankwo Kanu was one of the few who backed Ighalo to be a success at United. The 1996 Olympics gold medalist told the former Malaga forward to work hard, tune out the voices of the critics and show what he was capable of, Ighalo has disclosed.
Manchester United completed the loan signing of the Nigerian star from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in the final hours in January to the surprise of most and the chagrin of many.
But Ighalo has silenced his doubters, netting four goals in all competitions for the Red Devils including a stunning strike in the Europa League against LASK Linz.
Ighalo has now revealed that while many were questioning United's choice of the retired Super Eagles star, comforting words of goodwill and encouragement arrived from an icon of the game.
“Kanu sent me a congratulations message when I signed for Man United, and he just advised me to keep working hard,” Ighalo said on a Periscope live chat with Juliet Bawuah.
“He said I'm going to surprise so many people that didn't give me the benefit of the doubt of coming into that team.
“He said that he saw me doing well there, but I should work hard and believe in myself – don't let talk from other people distract me. So it's a good one.”
