Deeney questions Man Utd transfer policy after Ighalo’s deal
Troy Deeney has taken aim at Manchester United’s transfer policy after their decision to sign Odion Ighalo in the January transfer window, just months after selling Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan.
Ighalo joined the Red Devils on deadline day on a six-month loan from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer short of attacking options due to Marcus Rashford’s injury.
It was a deal that raised eyebrows at the time but the former Watford striker has made a positive impression so far having scored four goals in eight appearances, with reports now suggesting that the Premier League giants are preparing to offer him a bumper permanent deal.
However, his former teammate Troy Deeney has questioned why United were left needing to sign the Nigerian after letting Lukaku leave for Italy last summer.
In an interview with The United Stand, cited on the Metro, Deeney said: “The hit they took on Lukaku is mad when you think about it.
“They let Lukaku go and then they had to go and get Ighalo. Iggy has hit the ground running there, he will always score goals. But yeah, Lukaku?
“Look at his goal record. And what’s he paid to do? Score goals. When he was at Everton [people said] “Ah, we need someone like him, he’d be great at United” then you get him and it’s, “Ah, his first touch is bad” but he scored like 60 goals, you know? “Nah, not good enough. His touch isn’t good enough.”
Lukaku scored 42 goals in 96 appearances for United after joining for £75million in 2017, however he was heavily criticised for his performances and attitude in 2018/19 and was let go shortly before the start of the current season.
And Deeney believes that the Belgian was harshly treated by fans during his time with the North West club, saying that fans, particularly on social media, were looking for reasons to criticise him.
He added: “It’s not what you’re used to. Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, [Teddy] Sheringham, [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy… these are all people you’re looking at. Even if you look at [Diego] Forlan, Forlan was sick as well… you can keep going, Michael Owen for that short time as well, and say this is what we’re used to seeing.
“Yeah, you score but we can’t put you in the same conversation as an Andy Cole. Andy Cole’s touch was better or was Andy Cole was faster”, it’s always going to be fighting back. ‘The problem is with social media now is everybody’s got an opinion. That’s the problem.”
read also:Ighalo reacts to Matic telling Romelu Lukaku to ‘shut up’
Meanwhile, an out of favour Man United duo have been linked with a move to Arsenal when the transfer window opens.