Man Utd: Odion Ighalo’s goals are ‘special’ insists pundit
Paul Merson has admitted he was reluctant to talk about Odion Ighalo when he joined Manchester United out of fear of looking ‘silly’. But the Sky Sports pundit has lauded the Nigeria international and believes the 30-year-old won’t be returning to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.
Manchester United signed Ighalo on loan on transfer deadline day - and many were critical at the time.
The decision to go after a player who had spent the last few years playing in China raised eyebrows, with fans and pundits both writing off the 30-year-old.
Since joining United, though, Ighalo has been a revelation.
He’s scored four goals for the club so far and impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with his attitude behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
Parent club Shanghai Shenhua are ready to offer the striker a new and improved contract - one that would see him pocket £400,000-a-week.
But Merson doesn’t think Ighalo will be returning to the Far East.
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“When Odion Ighalo arrived at Manchester United in January, I didn't really want to get involved in any conversations about him because, either way, there was a danger of being made to look silly,” the former Arsenal star told Sky Sports.
“If you said he was going to be awful he could embarrass you badly by performing like he did during that brilliant year he had with Watford or if you said he was going to be a good signing, he could still be the player who put in some awful showings just before he left Watford.
“I didn't want to get involved in that because it was a no-win situation.
“However, what I can say now is that he's been absolutely outstanding since he arrived at Old Trafford.
“I know he hasn't played a lot of football but when he's come off the bench and when he has got some game time, he's looked class.
“It's a hard decision Manchester United have to make regarding his future because if you give him a contract, can he perform again that next season?
“When you go to a club on loan you've got that hunger of wanting to secure a permanent move, prove everybody inside the club right and everybody outside the club wrong.
“All of a sudden, you give someone a contract and they think they've done all the hard work.
“You've only got to look at his time at Watford. He looked a world-beater but then next minute he couldn't score a goal for toffee.
“But if you are going on the form he's showed since coming to the club in January it's going to be hard to get rid of him.
“And don't worry about the new mega money offers in China.
“He's said all the right things since joining Manchester United. He's turned around enough times and said he's dreamed of playing for United so if they do offer him a permanent deal, I can't see him turning it down.