Football

Odion Ighalo hits back at critics as Manchester United look to complete £15m deal


Odion Ighalo has hit back at his critics (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo has hit back at the critics that gave him no chance of succeeding at Old Trafford.

The Nigerian has made a scintillating start to his loan spell at the club by scoring four goals in his opening eight appearances in a red shirt.

However, United’s decision to sign the 30-year-old was roundly criticised in January with many dismissing Ighalo’s arrival as an act of desperation, given the Nigerian has spent the last three years in China and the club had other targets like Erling Haaland.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now keen on signing Ighalo on a permanent deal with Shanghai Shenhua seeking £15m for the Nigerian’s services.

United are keen on signing Ighalo in a £15m deal (Picture: Getty)

Ighalo has since attracted plenty of praise but the Nigerian says the compliments he is receiving now are from the same people that insulted him before.

‘Firstly it was ‘Why are you going to England?’ With your age and all and that it is one of the biggest teams in the world,’ Ighalo said on Instagram Live.

‘Number two, nobody gave me a chance but I know I’m a hard worker.

‘I don’t get carried away, I don’t listen. I do my work and just remain focused. When I came to Manchester United I pictured what I wanted to attain but I did not say a word, I did not go solo.

Ighalo’s move was a shock on deadline day (Picture: Getty)

‘People on social media can always talk but you do not need to speak to people that you do now know. You must focus and do your job. The same people that criticise you will praise you when you do well and when they praise you, you can’t get carried away.

‘I am telling you, If I miss one chance now they will insult me, you understand? [Now] It’s ‘Ighalo you are the best’ but okay, one chance I miss and they will insult me so do not get carried away with hype, praise or criticism because those things are bound to happen.’

Ighalo earns around £300,000-a-week in China but he’ll have to take a heavy pay cut if he wants to complete a permanent move to the Theatre of Dreams.

Solskjaer believes he can save money for other deals with a £15m move for Ighalo.

The Norwegian is eyeing a £120m deal for Dortmund superstar Jadon Sancho and he’s likely to demand wages of around £150,000-a-week.

Jack Grealish, the Aston Villa captain, is another target and he’ll cost between £60-£80m depending on the club’s survival chances.

MORE: Gary Neville names the best strike partnership he played with at Manchester United





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