Ighalo Explains Manchester United’s New Role
To work for Martial, Rashford
Former Nigeria international, Odion Ihgalo has revealed that with the return Marcus Rashford to the Manchester United fold after recovering from injury, his role has changed a bit under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Odion admitted he is no longer the prime option on offensive attacks and is now tasked to support both Rashford and Anthony Martial.
The Shanghai Shenhua striker however said he has no qualms about new arrangement, knowing that he needs to be at the right place at the right time. Hence, the main thing he needs to do is to just keep on running alongside Martial and Rashford and wait to get his opportunity, saying he’s pretty fine with the setup.
“If you can’t touch the ball you can’t do anything with the ball, you have to unsettle the defenders so your other teammates can move and do something with the ball. It’s what I was trying to do in the first half against Norwich when I wasn’t getting too many balls,” Ighalo told United Review.
Though he is on loan, Ighalo is no stranger to Premier League play. He has the experience to show, having previously played for Watford. Ighalo believes he is stronger now and on his part has improved a lot while wearing the Manchester United shirt.
“You have to keep the mentality the same, work hard and take the chance when it comes. You play for the team, even if you don’t score a goal, you can give an assist and work for the team. That’s the most important thing because it’s a team game,” Ighalo said.
With Rashford back in harness, critics felt that Ighalo would be lost in the mix. But as expected, Solskjaer made the necessary adjustments to make them all co-exist. However, this setup is only good until January 2021 unless the Red Devils engage in new talks to sign Ighalo to a permanent deal.
However, Ighalo seems to be playing on borrowed time after Manchester United was able to secure a loan deal extension with Shanghai Shenhua as the deal does not include a buy option, meaning the Nigerian striker will only be at Old Trafford until January 2021. Regardless, it appears that is not bothering the 31-year-old who is comfortable taking a new role with the Red Devils.
Blaugrana Sports Group International’ s objective of nurturing young children into great legends, promote grassroots sports development and values of sportsmanship and social integration engaging the FC Barcelona sports development programmes methodology was heightened during the week with the inauguration of the in - house committee for the Group’s Legends For Children Project. Launched in 2018 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, where an array of the Nigerian football legends were honoured.
Speaking to the media after the brief ceremony, Leslie Oghomienor, Chairman, Blaugrana Sports Group said that the “Legends For Children Project is so dear to the heart of the Sports Group, but the recent outstanding performance in JAMB of one of the Group trainee prayers Akakbota Fejeiro Simeon, who played for the Wazobia FC, during FC Bulmaro free technical support training for Secondary Schools in Lagos, fully sponsored by the Group has spurred us to action. By reactivating the project which is also aimed at helping bodies working tirelessly to ensure that every child girl or boy, aside doing sports, is given quality education and guidance, that will help such live better and meaningful life, freeing society from burdens.”
He further explained that the Legends For Children Project was in pursuance of the sports company’s vision to become the largest world-class sports talent training and nurturing platform in the world with numerous veritable platforms of first choice for great and gifted talents who may be challenged by lack of genuine direction, guidance and support.
“Our Group is driven by the quest to nurture children with gifted talents into great legends using the little resources we have, applying the FC Barcelona methodology in environment with first-class facilities, supervised by well-honed seasoned professionals and the Legends For Children Project is one of the best way we will berth our dream. Believing that to empower our beloved nation, we must help see that our children are educated. They are our greatest future. Now, is the right time to invest in a greater tomorrow through them,” Oghomienor said.
He added that aside from the committee planning for the next event, the body will also see the possibility of developing a strategic and holistic plan for sustainable youth sports, education, development and empowerment template that can serve as a radar in success of the sports sector.
“Shaping the future of the country is not government alone. It is a collective responsibility. It is a must done work. Together, is should be done,” he stressed.
Responding on behalf of the 13 - man committee, and appealing for support for the project, Ms. Abibatu Abudu Ajayi, a business and communication strategist, attached to the Group, acknowledged the importance of the project to children education, youth development and empowerment and seeing to the greater interest of the Nigerian football legends, agreeing that membership of the committee was a responsibility call to action, and trust, the committee members would strive not to betray by making sure the project kicks off on a much better way and accommodate more children and legends than the first outing in 2018.
“We are sure more will be achieved, and better with the support of all. Also, the committee is saddle with the responsibility of finding a means of making the project an annual event, bigger, bolder, with a global outlook. Therefore, to run with this novel dream and win good laurels, we must brace the tape on the track of this noble race together,” Ms. Ajayi pleaded.