Europa League: Second Leg R16 Party for Ighalo, teammates
It promises to be a continuation party for Super Eagles ace Odion Ighalo who may or may not be in action as Manchester United takes on LASK in the second leg round of 16 Europa clash at the Old Trafford on Wednesday
Ighalo scored the opener and provided one assist in United’s 5-0 demolition of LASK in the first leg at the Linzer Stadion on March 12. Ighalo who has been impressive for Man U since his loan deal from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua grabbed the opening goal in the 28th minute of the match after which teammates James,Mata,Greenwood and Andreas Pereira went on goal harvest.
It was reported recently that Ighalo and a couple of other players had jetted out on holidays and may be missing the more or less inconsequential clash
Although Luke Shaw and Axel Tuanzebe have been left out of Manchester United’s squad due to injury it is apparent that the homers are not in any way under pressure
Record indicate that the last time Manchester United reached the quarter finals of the Europa League they won the tournament back in 2016-17, in what was Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge of the Red Devils.
As if going into the match with 5-0 defeat is not enough headache for the visitors, LASK will be without midfield duo Thomas Goiginger and Marvin Potzmann due to knee injuries from the first leg, while defenders Petar Filipovic and Philipp Wiesinger will both miss the clash through suspension.
The odds certainly favour Ighalo and his teammates who might be tempted to enjoy the match as mere formality or better put consolidation tie.
Read AlsoMan Utd’s Europa League outing in jeopardy after Ighalo, two others go on holiday
These are certainly period of good tidings for the Red Devils who only recently battled their way into the top -four finish of the just concluded English Premier league.
A place in the semifinal of the Europa league looks guaranteed with their advantage going into Wednesday’s match.