Ian Wright is confident Odion Ighalo has the ability to be a success at Manchester United but the Arsenal legend has concerns about the striker’s fitness after three years playing in the Chinese Super League.
Ighalo, 30, put pen to paper on a six-month loan deal at OId Trafford on the final day of the January transfer window, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer short of options in attack.
Though Ighalo was unable to train with the rest of his team-mates in Marbella, Spain due to concerns about coronavirus outbreak in China, he could make his United debut away at Chelsea on Monday night.
Solskjaer hinted earlier this week that the Nigerian could be used as an impact substitute if the Red Devils searching for a goal at Stamford Bridge.
Ighalo scored 39 goals in 99 appearances for Watford during his three-year spell at Vicarage Road and Wright is hopeful the forward can replicate that outstanding form in United colours.
But the ex-Arsenal star believes Ighalo may need to put in the hard yards on the training field before he’s at the fitness required to play in the Premier League.
‘I’m delighted for him, the first Nigerian player to play for Manchester United. Very excited,’ the ex-Arsenal striker told Premier League Productions.
‘The fact is, this was a few years ago with Watford and he was literally on fire.
‘But I’m not sure he’s going to be as fit as maybe he needs to be and that’s probably why he’s had to get himself even fitter.
‘He’s got the capability of stretching teams, you want to see that from a Manchester United centre-forward, holding the play up, bring other players in and that was his best return for Watford (20 goals in 38 games in 2014/15) and you’re just hoping he can find that form.
‘Everybody’s saying, “Why have they gone for him?” I’m delighted they’ve given him the chance and it’s the kind of chance that he, hopefully, can rise to so people can see he’s got a lot to offer.
‘I’m hoping that he can be a success.’
Paul Scholes remains unconvinced by United’s January signing and believes the attacker has been brought in merely as a stop-gap.
‘I don’t think he’s a signing for the long term,’ the former United midfielder told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘I think his scoring record in China is very good but is it that credible? I don’t know.
‘He is an out-and-out centre forward, I don’t think United have an out-and-out centre forward. He’ll play with his back to goal and he might bring players into play.
‘It’s good to have an extra body but when you’re United you want an extra body with quality and he’s got that to prove.
‘He’ll bring something different. I don’t see him starting many games.’
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