Solskjaer: Odion does what it says on the tin!

Ole Gunnar SOlSkjaer praised the impact of Odion Ighalo and said there is more to come from the Manchester united striker, whose loan signing from China in january was mocked by rival fans.

Ighalo’s double — which secured a trip to norwich — made sure the Fa Cup quarter-finals will be an all-Premier league affair for the first time in 14 years.

Ighalo stood out on a night when most eyes were on Wayne rooney, and Solskjaer said: ‘There’s more to come. He’ll improve, he’ll get sharper, more used to us. I’ve got no doubt he’ll only get better and better.

‘He’s doing what it says on the tin and what we asked for when we signed him. We’re very happy with him. He’s experienced and has scored goals his whole career. He’s in and around the box, he sniffs out chances. That type of striker is vital for a team. He is a physical presence, too. I’d like the younger forwards to learn from him.’

Ighalo said: ‘as long as my team-mates believe in me, the boss believes in me and the fans believe in me, I just have to keep going. I don’t care what anyone says.’

The striker has helped united reach nine games unbeaten and Solskjaer, twice an Fa Cup winner as a player, added: ‘It’s just what happens in football. You hit a run of winnable games, or find form. We’ve found form and we’re defending well.’

luke Shaw opened the scoring with a strike that appeared to deflect off the back of jesse lingard, who made a rare start, before Ighalo helped himself to two goals.

Shaw said: ‘I am claiming it! no chance, he (lingard) can’t claim that!’

united’s travelling supporters sang rooney’s name for much of the 90 minutes and goalkeeper Sergio romero denied the 34-year-old a goal late on in his reunion with his former club.

rooney said: ‘united were the best team on the night but for our younger lads, what an experience for them. Today will be massive in their careers. although we lost it will do them a world of good. That’s the level.

‘I’m enjoying playing football most of all, but also that transition period of going from player to coach. The manager (Phillip Cocu) has been fantastic and I just want to keep learning. He has been keeping me involved and letting me have my opinions.’

Cocu said: ‘In the end, you have to give credit to Man united. It was a deserved win. I’m quite satisfied with our performance.’