Page 36 Odion Ighalo, who was meant to be a temporary fix at Manchester United, where he recently signed, has been described as a “Cult Hero”, and predicted to extend his stay beyond this season, due to his early delivery for the English Club, so far.
Odion Ighalo is quickly becoming an unlikely hero at Manchester United.
The deadline day signing has already scored three goals in two starts, and is making a mockery of those who doubted him, initially.
The Nigerian Football Superstar, is grasping his dream with both hands, and giving United a decision to make, as to whether they give their boyhood fan an extended stay at Old Trafford.
Recall, that the 30-year-old Striker joined Manchester United, in January, 2020, on a loan deal until the end of the season, after the Club failed to land Josh King from Bournemouth.
The former Watford man, was hardly on the radar of other Premier League Clubs at the time, plying his trade for Shanghai Shenhua, in China, and a few expected that he would be the answer to United’s problems.
Rio Ferdinand had questioned whether the Forward could live up to Old Trafford’s expectations.
He had said: “Ighalo has played in the English Premier League before, but one thing I am concerned about, is that he is coming from China; they are trying to build a League there, but the standard is not up to the Premier League.”
Paul Scholes had also criticised his signing, suggesting that Ighalo would struggle to meet the level expected of him.
“I do not think he is a signing for the long term”, he had said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think his scoring record in China is very good, but is it that credible? I do not know”, he added.
However, Ighalo’s first goal in his first start in the Europa League against Club Brugge, and two more in the FA Cup against Derby, has forced both to make a u-turn.
Scholes admitted that the Striker looked sharp against the Belgian side, and predicted him to get more chances, while Ferdinand stated that the Forward offers the team a reference point, and gives other Players opportunities to run off him with his hold-up play.
As well as his two starts in cup matches, Ighalo has also had three brief cameo appearances off the bench, in the Premier League, and his Manager praised his shooting accuracy.
