Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo is fulfilling all the expectations of the Premier League club when they signed him on loan and the Nigerian will only improve as he gets used to his new team mates, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.
The 30-year-old, who took a pay cut to secure a loan move to Old Trafford from China’s Shanghai Shenhua in January, netted a brace in Thursday’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over second-tier Derby County that sealed a spot in the quarter-finals.
Boyhood United fan Ighalo has taken his tally to three goals from two starts in the absence of injured first-choice Marcus Rashford, earning praise from Solskjaer and united fans.
In an interview, Ole said: “He has a physical presence. You can get the ball up to him and he can keep hold of it. It’s hard to be a central defender against him when he’s looking for you first and he buys himself half a yard just by that movement.”
Solskjaer said United’s young strikers can learn how to deal with defenders from the robust Ighalo, who will remain with the club until the end of the season.
Odion Ighalo received all the deserving accolades as former Manchester united legend, Rooney watches him helplessly as he dismantles Derby County on the night.
Meanwhile, Ighalo brace in two start is already making him a new idol at Manchester United as fans are now calling for his automatic inclusion in every crucial game.
United, who are fifth in the league, host local rivals and defending champions Manchester City on Sunday.
