Rom’s at home on his bike
Ighalo too poor for name game
ODION IGHALO has revealed he did not have a name on the back of a replica Manchester United shirt growing up – because he was so poor.
The 30-year-old, on loan at United from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season, grew up supporting the Red Devils in his native Nigeria.
He has made an impressive start, with four goals in eight games, before the season was suspended.
As a United-supporting youngster, Ighalo wore the blue away shirt from the 2002-03 season, with former strikers Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke among his favourites.
Although he had a replica United shirt, Ighalo revealed there was no way his family could 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 the striker.
“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 young.” Ighalo, who hopes to earn a permanent deal with United, was already a national hero in Nigeria, which has a population of 190 million.
But since joining United, his profile and popularity in his homeland is bigger than ever, with fanatical fans even holding street parties to celebrate his move to Manchester.
Ighalo has revealed how he and his family paid to watch United games on big screens in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria.
“You have to go to an event centre and pay to watch the games,” he said.
“You’d have to pay to watch the games and now people are watching me and United. It’s a big fanbase and it is growing even much bigger. Everybody is
■ (below left) 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 there for Watford 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 the stadium,” he added.
“The first time I played there was for Watford in 2016.
“United is a big club. When I saw that, I was amazed. I was outside the stadium and I took pictures.
“Then I played there with Watford, against United, and it made me even more happy. I came out of the stadium and stood looking at it.”
ROMELU LUKAKU has opened up on life under lockdown in Italy.
The ex-manchester United striker, now with Inter Milan, revealed the club bought the entire squad exercise bikes to keep them fit at home.
Inter’s players are also having meals prepared by the club and delivered daily to ensure they maintain their strict diets.
Belgium star Lukaku, who joined Inter from United for £75m last summer, said: “I can’t go outside, I can’t train, it’s been nine days now.
“They got me a bike because in Milan all the players live in small apartments so I didn’t have the space.
“They asked, ‘Who doesn’t have a treadmill or bike?’ and loads of players were like, ‘Me, me, me’ and two hours later they bought every player a bike.
“Every day they send somebody to give us the food so we keep our strict diet. I’m still on my fish and stuff, veggies and all that.”
Lukaku, 26, also revealed he is unable to see his mum, who suffers from diabetes, and his young son.
“I just miss the regular life,” he added.
“Being with my mum, my son, my brother.
“I’m thinking about everybody. I miss training. I miss playing in front of fans and now you start appreciating what you have.”