Emotional Odion  Ighalo bids Manchester United goodbye

 

Odion Ighalo has written a heartfelt goodbye to Manchester United on social media after his departure was confirmed.

Ighalo’s one-year loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua will finish at the end of this month.

The 31-year-old scored five goals across 23 appearances in all competitions and provided a low-cost, low-risk option up front but was phased out following the signing of Edinson Cavani.

The boyhood United fan said in a tweet: ‘It’s so hard to see this dream come to an end.

‘But I give God the glory for helping me fulfil this lifelong dream of putting on a Manchester United shirt as a player and represent this great club, it was indeed an honour I will forever cherish and be grateful for.

‘To the manager I say thank you for trusting and believing in me when many did not. To my amazing team-mate I will miss you guys, it was always fun… and I pray we win the league and FA Cup this year.

‘To the best fans in the world (the Manchester United fans) we have missed you, but we hear your voices cheering us on from afar, we can’t wait to have you all back in the stands. ‘I’m still and will remain a Manchester United fan forever. Once a Red, always a Red. Thank you Manchester United and God bless.’

Sportsmail revealed earlier this month that former Nigeria international Ighalo has openly admitted he would be keen on a move to play in America in the MLS.

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He namechecked David Beckham’s 2018-founded Inter Miami side, currently boasting former PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi and former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain as a potential option.