Ex-Nigerian international Odion Ighalo opened his scoring account with Manchester United yesternight in the second leg of the Europa League game against Club Brugge. The Nigerian who joined the club from China on a six months’ loan move has played the four games so far in the United jersey and he has scored one goal.
It was his first start for the English side and he really made it a memorable one, and he played all 90 minute of the game. The attacker whose signing made a world record as United’s managing director Richard Arnold boasted on Tuesday that Ighalo’s signing made him the top global trend on Twitter on the same day as Brexit and President Trump’s impeachment trial in the United States. Although rival fans pointed out that the reason behind the comment was necessary for him Odion Ighalo.
The 30-year-old Nigeria striker was signed on loan from Shanghai Shenhua – taking a pay cut to do so – because of an injury to Marcus Rashford. Ighalo, a boyhood United fan, became the first Nigerian to score for the club as they beat Club Bruges 5-0 in the Europa League last 32 round which was played yesternight.
Odion Ighalo scored the second goal after a follow January signing Bruno Fernandes opened up the scoring from the penalty spot. He got his first goal in the first 34 minute of the game to double the lead. Manchester United ended the scores with a five goals which is very enough to see them to the next stage of the competition.
Commenting on the, Odion Ighalo said: “It’s a great moment. I’ve been waiting for this,” Ighalo told BT Sport. “There was a little bit of pressure but I’ve got the goal to start my Manchester United goal career, with the team I’ve supported since I was young. I dreamed of this.”
It was his fourth game for United and his first start, all his previous three games totaled 34 minutes of play. The goal was also his first ever European completion goal.
Odion Ighalo celebrated his goal by showing a T-shirt which has his sister’s face on it. The picture has the name of the lady as Mary Atole, who is just 42 years of age who died in Canada on 12th December. He made the Manchester United move just seven weeks after her death. According to him he said: “I lost my sister in December, and she is very dear to me, she is a good United fan too,” he added.
“We hoped for this moment, but now I am in United she is not here to see what is going on so it is a bit emotional for me. I promise myself that every goal I score I will dedicate to her. She is up there watching me and doing well for United.”
Ole on Odion Ighalo after the game
Manchester United Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was very delighted with him, Ighalo to get on the scoresheet. He said: “Odion was up front doing what he does,” said Solskjaer. “He’s a target man who can hold it. “As a fellow striker I know how important your first goal is. He’s been close a number of times. You can see he sniffs goals. He wants to be in there where it sometimes hurts. “His goal showed he was sharp in the head. When the ball is played to Juan, he spins and is on the six-yard line when Juan puts it there. A natural striker.”
Ex Internationals on Odion Ighalo
Midfielder Paul Scholes said: “He did well and looked sharp. He’s come into this team at the right time, just as a really creative player has come in in Bruno Fernandes. If United need to rely on him I think he’ll do a good job.” And another former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves agreed: “I like the fact he gives United a reference point.
“He is strong with his back to goal and is different to Martial and Rashford like that and I think we’ll see more goals from him for Manchester United between now and the end of the season.”
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