Ighalo had to take a huge slash in wages to secure a dream move to Manchester United, claiming the Englush giants couldn't match what he was earning in China
Odion Ighalo was desperate to secure his Manchester United dream
Odion Ighalo was desperate to secure his Manchester United dream
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Odion Ighalo has revealed how his dream move to Manchester United almost collapsed because the English giants couldn't afford him.
And Ighalo admits he had to take a massive wage cut to secure a switch to United. Despite claiming he would have played for them for free. Ighalo joined United from Shanghai Shenhua on-loan in 2020, going on to score just five goals in 23 appearances. But Ighalo had to give up a £200,000-a-week deal in China in order to fulfil his dream of playing for United.
Ighalo told Ladbrokes at the launch of 'Ladisfaction': "I was in pre-season with Shanghai when my name was first mentioned in the Manchester United conversation.
"We were in a training camp and my agent called me to tell me the club were looking for a striker on loan to cover for Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who were both out injured.
"Apparently I was on a list along with about four other players, and from the moment I heard that, I was just so restless.
"I prayed things wouldn’t work out for their other targets so that I could get my dream move to United. As a boy, I was always a huge fan of United, so I was desperate to make the move happen.
"I just remember shivering, the closer the move got. I still didn’t believe any of it until I saw the official proposal from the club, then I knew it was really happening.
"I was going to be a United player. I can remember landing in Manchester and seeing all the reporters everywhere, asking me questions, and that’s when my dream came true.
Ighalo scored five times during his stint at Old Trafford
Ighalo scored five times during his stint at Old Trafford(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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"I took a pay cut to sign for the club, but I'd have played for them for free, to be honest. When my agent spoke to me about the move, he said United couldn’t afford me because of what I was being paid in China, and all of that.
"I just told him to get the deal done. Whatever they wanted to pay me, I was happy with.
"You know, we’re talking about Manchester United. Manchester United in England… I don’t care what they are paying me… just get the deal done! And that was it."
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