On deadline day, Odion Ighalo became a Manchester United player following a flurry of last-minute negotiations. Ighalo, who has been playing in China with Shanghai Shenhua since 2017, signs on loan until the end of the season. The move has been the subject of much derision from many fans of rival clubs; they say it is emblematic of Manchester United’s recent struggles.
Most people will remember Igahlo from his spell with Watford. He played for the Hornets Between 2014 and 2017, scoring 39 times in 99 league appearances. He was prolific in his first two seasons – he scored 20 times in the Championship, leading Watford’s promotion push before emulating his scoring feats in the Premier League the following season where he scored 15 times.
In his third season in England, however, Igahlo struggled. He netted just once in the league before leaving for a lucrative spell in China.
A powerful centre-forward, Igahlo is a departure from the off-the-shoulder type of striker that Manchester United have tended to favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Old Trafford faithful will be hoping that the Nigerian can offer the Red Devils a more robust option upfront.
The club’s striker woes have been highlighted after the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan in the summer left them without an out-and-out number 9. Marcus Rashford has stepped up and been in superb form this season, but his injury has left them severely lacking in the forward department.
While Igahlo may prove to be a sensible addition on a temporary basis, Ed Woodward and the rest of the club’s hierarchy will be looking to find a permanent striker to bolster their ranks when the season comes to its end.
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