Solskjaer hands Ighalo hope of sealing permanent Man United switch
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Manchester United may decide to sign Odion Ighalo on a permanent transfer this summer.
Ighalo, who joined the Red Devils in January on a loan deal until the end of the season, scored his first Manchester United goal in the 5-0 Europa League win over Club Bruges.
The Nigerian striker was brought in primarily as cover for the injured Marcus Rashford but Solskjaer says Ighalo could earn himself a permanent contract if he performs for the club he supported as a child.
‘It doesn’t hurt [living the dream] but he’s here on merit, he’s here because he is a goalscorer and a different type of striker for us,’ Solskjaer told Sky Sports.
‘We might get to the summer and think we want to extend this, who know?
‘He’s come in as a breath of fresh air as well. He had chances in his five minutes against Chelsea, he scored against Bruges, he had chances against Watford, he had a very good save [from a shot] against Everton – there have been good saves, he doesn’t miss the target very often.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives Odion Ighalo hope of completing permanent Manchester United transfer https://t.co/Gm747EYn3V
— Breaking Sports News (@breaknewfb) March 5, 2020
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‘Even for Anthony (Martial), Mason (Greenwood) and Marcus (Rashford) to learn that it is where the sharks are swimming. It’s comfortable outside the box and you can have a few shots.
‘It’s in there where it might be a bit tougher and you might get hurt – that’s where you get goals.’
Manchester United face Championship club Derby County in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Thursday night. If the Red Devils beat Wayne Rooney’s Derby they will face Premier League relegation-battlers Norwich City in the quarter-finals.