Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has told an incredible story about joining the Red Devils in February 2020.
The Nigerian forward initially joined Manchester United from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua on loan before having his deal extended in June 2020 until January 2021, when Odion Ighalo left for Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab.
Ighalo, 35, is currently playing for fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Wehda.
The striker’s chapter at Old Trafford would be remembered more fondly if the club had not extended his loan deal. Ighalo may have been past his best, but he still managed to secure cult hero status among United fans.
It was former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who signed Ighalo when he wanted to add more attacking options to the squad.
Unfortunately, this remains an issue for current United head coach, Ruben Amorim, who was unable to add a striker to his team during the January transfer window.
Photo by Fermin Rodriguez/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Fermin Rodriguez/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Odion Ighalo prayed for Manchester United transfer
Odion Ighalo is proud of the year he spent at Manchester United.
As a United fan, it’s an achievement nobody can take away from him, but the story he tells about the transfer is a remarkable one.
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Speaking to Rasheedat Ajibade on episode one of the Rash4Christ podcast, Ighalo revealed the story of his dream transfer to United in 2020.
Ighalo explains that United were in the market for a back-up striker and had four options.
As the third option, Ighalo admits that he prayed against the other options so that they wouldn’t get a transfer to United.
“My agent told me Man United wanted a back-up striker. They had four options [in the market], and I was the third option.”
Ighalo continued: “I started praying against those options so that they won’t work.”
It sounds like Ighalo’s prayers were answered.
Ighalo stats for Manchester United
After arriving at United as a back-up option, Ighalo made 6 goal contributions in 23 matches.
The Nigerian wasn’t prolific enough to warrant another deal at Old Trafford, but it sounds like he enjoyed his time at United before leaving for more game time.
There is no denying that United’s first-team needed a new striker in January, but the Reds were unwilling to sign one, even on loan.
Amorim has no other choice but to stick with Rasmus Hojlund, who has not scored in 19 matches. It remains to be seen if Chido Obi will get his first start before the end of the season.