The Nigerian attacker will be the best option for Solskjaer as Manchester United hope to bounce back in the Premier League.
Odion Ighalo is firm that he will grab the golden opportunity that is coming his way this weekend. Subsequently, Manchester United clash against Newcastle at St. James’ Park in the Premier League.
Ighalo believes that he will make it up the hierarchy in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team sheet.
The 31-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Shanghai Shenhua on a loan in the January transfer window. Thus, Solskjaer required to fill his squad with attacking flavors after a terrible injury calamity last season.
Consequently, Ighalo netted five goals in 22 outings across all competitions for the Red Devils. Therefore, he ended up extending his contract.
Ighalo dealt with a lot of competition from the United front three Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Mason Greenwood. Evidently, the youngsters beat the Nigerian to make it to the starting XI.
Ighalo received only nine minutes of game time in the Premier League at the beginning of the season. Furthermore, the striker did not feature against Brighton and Tottenham before the international break.
As a result of the arrival of Edinson Cavani, Ighalo now drops down in the pecking order at Old Trafford.
A golden opportunity.
Although, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain player will not be available for the Newcastle clash due to self-isolation.
On the other hand, Martial is also ineligible for playing against the Magpies after receiving a red card vs Tottenham. Meaning, Ighalo is the most probable option for the gaffer.
The former Shanghai Shenhua forward is ready to grab his opportunity to play. He told the official website: “I’m always ready. Whenever the gaffer calls me, my idea is just to give my best in training, work hard, and wait for my opportunity – to take it.
“Hopefully, I’ll just keep my head down, keep working hard every day. Come to the training ground every day and give it my best. Whenever the gaffer needs me, I will come and give my best.”
Asked for an insight into the mood in the dressing room ahead of a must-win encounter, Ighalo responded: “We are working hard and looking forward to it. We’ve been training hard. Those of us who did not go to the international teams have been working seriously hard.
“Everyone is in top shape and, when those who have been in the international teams are all back, I think we are in good heart to win the game. I know we didn’t start the season well so we’ll try to start from this weekend and try to win the game to kick the season off.”
Additionally, United made four signings along with Cavani. These include Donny Van de Beek, Alex Telles, and Facundo Pellistri.
Ighalo accepts the new competition instead of running away from it.
“It’s good for the team, for everybody to be on their toes to work hard,” said Odion. “For a big team, like Manchester United, you have to have competition for players to do well and I welcome the new guys coming in. They will bring more challenges to everyone in the team, to work hard for their positions to play in the team.”
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