Former Super Eagles’ striker, Odion Jude Ighalo remains grateful to Manchester United and their coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the opportunity they gave him to live his dream of playing for the high-profile English Premier League club, megasportsarena.com reports.
This has been revealed by one of Ighalo’s agents, who stated categorically that the striker is not holding any feelings about The Red Devils, despite his inability to get regular playing during the second part of his extended loan spell from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua of China.
With that spell billed to end with this month, Ighalo has already started making plans for his exit from Old Trafford and, while his representatives admitted they are already exploring a number of transfer options for the striker, he insists his client is not holding any ill feelings with United.
Ighalo scored five goals in 23 appearances since arriving at Old Trafford on Deadline Day in January 2020, but he has so far made just four appearances this season as a change of fortune came his way due to stiff competition for shirts at Old Trafford.
Despite enjoying lots of praises from Solskjaer during the first chapter of his loan spell, Ighalo’s quest for game time diminished following the arrival of Edinson Cavani in October and, though his contract with Shenhua ends on December 31, he could be on his way to another club before the 2021 Chinese Super League season begins next month.
The agent added that, rather than harbor evil thoughts for Solskjaer for failing to accord him any meaningful playing time since signing a loan deal extension in June, which will end on January 31, Ighalo is staying loyal to his childhood club, even as he turns his sight on the transfer window.
He further confirmed that the 31-year-old former Prime FC of Osogbo, Julius Berger FC of Lagos, Lyn Oslo of Norway, Udinese of Italy, Granada of Spain, Watford of England and Changchun Yatai of China star is already attracting interest from a number of clubs in the EPL, as well as elsewhere in Europe, United States and Middle East.
While also revealing that they have already held talks with some clubs in England and Europe, Ighalo’s representative added that the player has not ruled out joining a club is USA’s Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, but opted to play down reports that he is most like to make a move Stateside.
Ighalo’s agent told BBC Sport Africa: “I can confirm that some Premier League clubs, two teams outside of England and some clubs in the Middle East have made formal enquiries.
“He said that the MLS could be interesting, but that is just an option outside of the strong interest received so far. For now he’s still a Man United player on loan from China where he still has a contract.
“He could stay in England where his family is based or try something new because he has many options to mull over. Any potential move after Manchester United definitely involves Shanghai Shenhua.
“There’s a slight sense of disappointment about the current season, but Ighalo remains grateful for the opportunity to have played for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“He wanted to end his time at United on a high by playing more for his boyhood club but he is grateful to the manager and proud of himself.”
