Man Utd: Pundits discuss Josh King and Odion Ighalo
Manchester United “dodged a bullet” by not signing Josh King on deadline day, says European football expert Gabriele Marcotti. United were interested in re-signing King from Bournemouth on transfer deadline day. The Red Devils had a bid of £20million turned down for the Norway international.
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But after failing to sign Haaland, Marcotti believes Ighalo is an understandable short-term solution up front.
He added: “If you’re going to bring in another body, you either go for Haaland and maybe they could have done better, in fact they probably could have done better with Haaland, but once you don’t get Haaland, who would have been someone young and for the future, you kind of have to be consistent and say ‘Alright, we just need somebody, a warm body, to fill in for Marcus Rashford, and then Rashford comes back’.
“This is in keeping with what their strategy has really been since the end of last summer.
Man Utd transfer news: Odion Ighalo has joined on a six-month loan (Image: GETTY)
“Ighalo had a tough start to the season, he was the top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations, he did score 21 goals in the Chinese league the year before, albeit for a team that got relegated, but it’s not like you’re getting some dude off the street.”
There is no option to buy for United included in the loan for Ighalo.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained why he brought the experienced Nigerian in on Friday.
“Odion is an experienced player,” Solskjaer told the United website.
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“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.”