Odion Ighalo never imagined he would wear Manchester United’s famous red jersey, but a late transfer twist turned his dream into reality.
The Nigerian striker, who joined United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020, admitted he was left in shock when the offer came through.
Ighalo made his debut for the club on February 17, 2020, in a 2-0 victory over Chelsea. Just ten days later, he netted his first goal in a 5-0 thrashing of Club Brugge in the UEFA Europa League. Initially signed as a backup for the injured Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, Ighalo extended his stay for another campaign after impressing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Reflecting on the transfer, Ighalo revealed that he had doubts when his agent first broke the news. However, after fervent prayers, he found himself as the club’s chosen option.
“My agent called me that Man United wanted a striker on loan because Martial and Rashford were injured and they needed a back-up striker,” he told Nigerian Women’s star Rasheedat Ajibade on her podcast Rash4Christ
“I said what team? Did you say Manchester United? And he said they have like four options of strikers (to sign) and you are the third option and all that.
“I started praying against those other options and I said those other options will not work.”
“I prayed and prayed and prayed and two days after, my agent called me and said they wanted to go for me because the other options are not working and I said thank you God, thank you God.
“I still did not believe my eyes. When I saw the offer they sent, the letter… on Man United-headed paper, goose pimples came out from my body.
“I got a paycut to go to Manchester but I just didn’t care. I told my agent, just make the deal work.
“Even if they don’t give me any money to play for Man United, I just want to wear that jersey.”
