Manchester United of England striker, Odion Jude Ighalo is in the spotlight ahead of the restart of action in the English Premier League, following the international break, but the topic is about the downturn in fortune that has hit him since the start of this season.
Megasportsarena.com reports that, despite setting tongues wagging with his enthusiasm, burst of form and crucial goals in the first half of his loan deal from Shanghai Shenhua of China, Ighalo has failed to hit similar scales since signing an extension in the summer.
His current deal is set to expire in January, leaving him with little option but make a return to Shanghai, yet observers are of a view that he had time well spent at Old Trafford, despite the fact that he has found game time hard to come by this term.
December will be Ighalo’s final month with The Red Devils, after which 31-year-old striker, who joined United in the January transfer, in a loan deal originally set to last for the remainder of the campaign.
Although he was unable to score in 11 English Premier League appearances last season, Ighalo got three goals in three domestic Cup games, while also netting twice in five games of the UEFA Europa League, before United were eliminated by Sevilla of Spain in the semi-finals.
However, the return to full fitness by Marcus Rashford, with Anthony Martial in form, Mason Greenwood continuing to impress and the arrival of Edinson Cavani have all combined to ensure that Ighalo has become surplus to requirements and he has already found himself way down the pecking of strikers available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A report by allnigeriasoccer.com, however, noted that Ighalo is still living his dream, regardless of what is happening to him, with another opportunity around the corner to star in the UEFA Champions League as well as make his marks in the EPL any time an opportunity id offered him.
The report added: “Unfortunately, despite impressive displays towards the end of last season, there has been little action on the pitch for Ighalo. The solitary Premier League appearance this term came as an 81st-minute substitute, during a disappointing 1-3 home defeat for United against Crystal Palace.
“Further cameo appearances from the bench have come in the EFL Cup, both away from home, against Luton Town and Brighton. As yet, while Ighalo has been part of the matchday squads named for Champions League games, he hasn’t played a single minute during any of the three European encounters this season.
“To his credit, despite any sense of personal frustration, he must be feeling, Ighalo has been a model professional in support of his teammates. No matter how many minutes Ighalo gets to play during the final month or so of his loan spell, there’s no doubt he will fondly treasure his time at Old Trafford.”
