Man Utd boss explains why he signed Odion Ighalo after deadline day transfer. United had been desperate to sign a new striker during January but left it right up to the deadline before concluding a deal. After failing with moves to sign Erling Braut Haaland and Mario Mandzukic, they were subsequently linked with Edinson Cavani.
Ighalo will join the Red Devils from Shanghai Shenhua on a six-month loan deal. But Paris Saint-Germain refused to let him leave for less than £25million, which was more than United were willing to pay. Instead, surprisingly, their attention turned to Ighalo, who has been playing in the Chinese Super League for the last three years.
The former Watford striker has scored 46 goals in 72 league games in the far east. United will reportedly pay £150,000-per-week of Ighalo’s wages after he joined on Friday night, just after the deadline had passed.
The striker is unable to play today against Wolves tonight, having signed too late in the day. But Solskjaer believes that, once he comes into the fold, he will provide a different option going forward.
Marcus Rashford is likely to miss the next month through injury, having suffered from a back issue earlier in January. That leaves United short of options up top, with Anthony Martial failing to deliver so far.
And Solskjaer will be hoping that Ighalo will be able to make the difference as the Red Devils try to push towards the Champions League players.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the boss said: “Odion is an experienced player. “He will come in and give us an option of a different type of centre-forward for the short spell he’s staying with us.
“A great lad and very professional, he will make the most of his time here.” Ighalo reportedly turned down the chance to join Tottenham in order to move to Old Trafford.
Source – Sport365
