Odion Ighalo ‘handed Man Utd shirt number’ 25

Odion Ighalo has reportedly been handed his shirt number by new club Manchester United .

Odion Ighalo 'handed Man Utd shirt number' as ex-Watford striker prepares for debuthttps://t.co/1onSQ96MbX pic.twitter.com/mbBYR7RiBw

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) February 4, 2020

It’s believed Ighalo will wear the number 25 kit for the remainder of the season.

That number is particularly popular in his native Nigeria, with Nwankwo Kanu having starred for Arsenal in it.

In his previous spell in England with Watford , Ighalo was allocated the number 24 kit.

Meanwhile, he’s played as the No.9 for his clubs since moving to the Chinese Super League in 2017.

Reports in Nigeria have suggested he’ll wear 25 at Old Trafford.

Ighalo was a surprise addition on transfer deadline day as he joined on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.

His move came after failed attempts to sign teenage sensation Erling Braut Haaland and Bournemouth ’s Josh King.

The 30-year-old’s arrival is much welcomed, with star man Marcus Rashford out for the foreseeable future.

Anthony Martial, who has scored just twice in his last eight games, and 18-year-old Mason Greenwood are the only recognised strikers on the books.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is pleased with his loan signing, telling reporters at Old Trafford: “He is a striker, has a physical presence and is a goalscorer so he will give us a lot.

“You would be thrilled when you have been a Manchester United supporter your whole life and you’ve been working your whole life.

“Being the top scorer in the African Cup of Nations tells you a lot about the qualities we are going to get.

“He’s a different type of striker. He’s a proven goalscorer, physical presence. It also gives us a chance to rest Mason Greenwood and to rest Anthony Martial at times with so many games coming up.”

Ighalo will have to wait until after the winter break to make his first appearance for the Red Devils.

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He could become the first Nigerian player to represent United in the Premier League when they travel to face Chelsea on February 17.