37-capped Super Eagles striker Odion Jude Ighalo has opened up on how his dream move to boyhood club Manchester United back in the winter transfer window of the 2019/2020 Premier League season came to be, Footynaija.com reports.
Igahalo became the first ever Nigerian to don the prestigious colours of Manchester United when he joined the Premier League giants on loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.
The Nigerian striker had prior experience in English football before his move to Old Trafford, enjoying two highly prolific seasons with EFL Championship side Watford. He scored 20 goals in his debut season for the Hornets as they won promotion to the Premier League before notching another 17 in first season in England’s top-flight.
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Ighalo moved to China in 2017 after leaving Watford in the aftermath of a disappointing third season at Vicarage road. He joined Changchun Yatai where he scored 36 goals in 55 appearances before moving to Shanghai Shenhua in 2019, registering ten goals in nine appearances.
Ighalo’s move to Manchester United
In quotes revealed by Daily Mail, Ighalo revealed that an injury to Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial created an opening at United during the time. Despite being third choice in the pecking order of possible replacements, the 35-year-old Al-Wehda forward prayed for divine intervention.
“My agent called me that Man United wanted a striker on loan because Martial and Rashford were injured and they needed a back-up striker,” the Nigerian revealed.
“I said what team? Did you say Manchester United? And he said they have like four options of strikers (to sign) and you are the third option and all that.
“I started praying against those other options and I said those other options will not work. I prayed and prayed and prayed. And two days after, my agent called me and said they wanted to go for me because the other options are not working and I said thank you God, thank you God.
“I still did not believe my eyes. When I saw the offer they sent, the letter… on Man United-headed paper, goose pimples came out from my body.”
Ighalo’s brief stint at The Theatre of Dreams saw him become a fan favourite. He made 23 appearances for the Red Devils and found the back of the net on five occasions.
