Ighalo sends message to Man United fans after debut goal vs Club Brugge
Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo has reassured Manchester United fans he will continue to leave it all out on the pitch after a dream first start for the club cemented a love affair between the on-loan striker and the Old Trafford faithful.
Ighalo netted United’s second goal in their 5-0 win against Club Brugge in the Europa League, but even before finding the back of the net his name was being sung.
Chants of ‘If Ighalo scores we’re on the pitch’ and ‘Viva Ighalo’ showed that the Stretford End had already taken the 30-year-old to their hearts, with the Nigerian forward fulfilling a lifelong dream by playing for the club he has always supported.
That fairy tale had its latest chapter written in the Europa League last-32 second leg cruise against the Belgian league leaders and Ighalo said scoring on his first United start, at Old Trafford, was a moment he would never forget.
“This is what I dreamt of. I dreamt of playing for United and scoring my first goal. I’m very happy for that,” the striker said.
“It feels great. Old Trafford, seeing the fans singing my name, screaming for me. I’m very grateful. I waited for this moment and this is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Ighalo’s unbridled enthusiasm for United and his reaction to his unlikely loan move from Shanghai Shenhua on deadline day has made him something of a cult hero already at Old Trafford.
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After three appearances off the bench he made his first start in place of the injured Anthony Martial against Club Brugge and, after a rousing reception from the fans, he had a message for them after the game and believes his support for the club has helped to create the bond.
“They see me as one of their own because I came to this team because I supported them from young and I want to give my best to do whatever it takes to move forward,” Ighalo summed up.