Odion Ighalo is preparing for his next move as his Manchester United stint winds down.
Ighalo’s extended loan expires on January 31 and he has no regrets despite his very limited game time this season since Edinson Cavani joined the club.
Ighalo says he feels like he has accomplished a dream already and has no complaints.
Ighalo told ESPN: “It was a good one and a tough one, before I came to United I never thought I would play. I’m a Reds fan. I can tell you I’m the happiest man on Earth for my dream to come true, I fulfilled my dream
“I’m fulfilled as a football player, if I don’t achieve anything from now when I finish my career I am fulfilled.”
Ighalo is due to return to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua. But he has his sights set on a potential move to Major League Soccer in America.
Time is ticking down
Ighalo was in the United squad to face his former club Watford in the FA Cup last week.
Unfortunately a call did not not come despite United using five substitutes in the 1-0 win.
This seemed like it could have been Ighalo’s final opportunity. A favourable fourth round cup draw could have given him another chance perhaps, but United have drawn Liverpool.
It’s not impossible Ighalo is involved, while upcoming league games against Fulham and Sheffield United may offer a little bit of hope, but in all probability, the striker has already played his last game.
Looking back at his spell, Ighalo did what he came in to do. He provided extra competition while Marcus Rashford was out injured and scored five goals.
The lockdown hurt his chances, impacting him just as he was hitting form. By time games resumed, Rashford was back from injury and Ighalo’s role was reduced.
This season a reduction in the number of substitutes has further limited his chances. Ighalo has struggled to make the bench for league games, meaning Solskjaer has not even had the temptation to put him in in games United are leading or needing a goal.
He probably could have contributed more if he was given extra chances, but we will never know. Ighalo is happy enough with how it went, and he deserves credit for the attitude he has shown throughout.
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