Football

Igahlo provides insight into Man Utd's training ahead of Premier League restart


Odion Ighalo says Manchester United are ready to hit the ground running and take up where they left off.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were on an 11-game unbeaten run when football was suspended on March 13, a sequence that included nine wins.

United already have experience of playing behind closed doors, in their 5-0 Europa League win away to Austrian side LASK Linz, played the day before football shut down.

Ighalo, who has extended his loan spell until January 2021, believes United, in the hunt for a top-four place and FA Cup and Europa League glory, are in perfect shape ahead of the restart.

Odion Ighalo has extended his Man Utd stay

“I’m getting better and better every day,” said Ighalo.

“I’m still working every day and we’ve been training together the past two weeks now, so it’s getting close to the game.

“The sharpness is coming, the fitness is coming and everything is going well.

“It’s been strange, you know, because you have to stay two metres apart to talk to your team-mates.

“Sometimes, you need to get close to give them some signs but now it’s two metres and it’s kind of strange.

“But this is what we have to do for us to be safe and for the game to go on. We’re ready to do it and we’re happy to do it.”

The Nigerian has been putting himself through his pace

Reflecting on United’s last game before the lockdown, Ighalo reckons the experience of having already played behind closed doors will be an advantage for Solskjaer’s players.

“It was strange, you know, but it’s okay,” Ighalo told MUTV.

“We know there’s nothing we can do now but play behind closed doors and we’re happy to do it.

“In the game against LASK it was strange, because you could hear everything when your team-mates shouted.

“In a normal game you can’t hear, but it was clear and loud.

The Red Devils have returned to training ahead of the restart

“It’s a bit strange without fans, and difficult, but we have to be safe so we have to do it.”

On the fitness levels of United’s players, Ighalo added: “Everybody is looking good – running, working hard and playing football.

“Little two-a-sides and doing some ball work. Everyone is getting better and better.

“Everyone is back, even Paul [Pogba] is back training normally and Rashy [Marcus Rashford] is back training as normal.

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“Everyone is training normally and training full and all that, so the squad is full and everyone is ready, I think.

“I can’t wait for the league to start again. I’m really looking forward to it.

“We did mention today there could be 15 or 16 games left before the season is finished.

“No matter who starts the game, we know everybody is going to take part in the games.

“So we have to be ready, physically and mentally, because everybody is going to get a chance. We’re working hard and I believe we’re going to do great.”





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