ODION COULD NOT AFFORD HIS OWN NAME

ODION IGHALO did not have a name on the back of his replica Manchester United shirt growing up – because he was so poor.

Ighalo, currently on loan at United from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season, grew up supporting the Reds in his native Nigeria.

The striker, 30, made an impressive start at United, with four goals in eight games (celebrating against LASK Linz, above), before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

As a youngster, Ighalo wore the blue United away shirt from the 2002-03 season, with former strikers Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke (right) among his favourites.

Although he had a replica shirt, Ighalo revealed his family could not afford to have his name or those of his idols printed on the back.

“I had a United jersey, but no player name on the back,” said Ighalo.

“It was one of the old blue ones, but definitely no name on the back.

“You have to pay to put names on the back and there was no money to pay for that. I just got the United top.

“It was a blue one, but a long time ago. I can’t remember as I was very, very young.”

Ighalo, who hopes to earn a permanent deal with United once this season is concluded, was already a national hero in Nigeria, which has a population of 190 million.

But since joining United, his profile in his homeland is bigger than ever, with fans even holding street parties to celebrate him joining the Reds.

Ighalo, recalling his humble upbringing, revealed how he and his family paid to watch United games on big screens in Lagos, along with other supporters.

“You have to go to an event centre and pay to watch the games,” said Ighalo. “Any time United were playing, I’d go with my siblings.

“You’d have to pay to watch the games and now people are watching me and United. It’s a big fan base and it is growing even much bigger.

“Everybody is sending me messages, saying they can’t wait to see me and watch the United games. I’m very happy about that.”

Ighalo first visited Old Trafford as a fan seven years ago and finally got to play at the Theatre of Dreams for Watford against United three years later in a 1-0 defeat.

“It was in 2013 when I came to see the stadium, to visit it and go around, taking pictures outside,” Ighalo told Inside United.

“The first time I played there was for Watford in 2016. United is a big club. When I saw Old Trafford, I was amazed. I was outside the stadium and took photos.

“When I played there, it made me even more happy. I came out and just stood looking at it.”