New signing Ighalo has got THE POWER
STRIKER TO BRING NEW PHYSICALITY UP FRONT
ODION Ighalo says he is hoping to bring an extra physicality to the United attack.
The striker secured his dream move to Old Trafford late on transfer deadline day after agreeing a short-term loan move to the club he supported as a boy.
The 30-year-old has primarily been brought in as a stop-gap following injury to leading scorer Marcus Rashford, but he is looking to make an instant impression by offering something new upfront.
Ighalo – who has had experience of playing in the Premier League with Watford and has joined after a spell with Shanghai Shenhua in China – admits United have lacked power in attack this season, and he believes he has what it takes to solve the issue in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
“I’ve watched so many United games,” he said. “They have a striker that stays mostly in the middle, because (Anthony) Martial likes to come from the side, even Rashford, so you need someone in the middle that can keep the ball, hold the ball.
“So, they need a physicality there up front to keep the ball, to give and to make some movement, which I believe, if everything goes well, I can add to the team.”
Ighalo, who has now arrived in England, shone as part of a strike partnership at Watford, but has also had plenty of experience operating as a lone striker.
Although much of his success in English football came as part of a duo, he insists he can play in any formation Solskjaer wants him to.
The Nigerian added: “I’ve played in different positions as a striker.
“I played with Troy Deeney, we understood each other, because we played together when we were in the Championship, from there to the Premier League.
“In China I am playing like a lone striker. Even in the national team I play like a lone striker, so it depends on what formation the coach is going to play then I am okay with anyone.”
Ighalo, whose debut is set to come in the Premier League clash with
Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on February 17, has also promised United fans he will give his all to the club from his first day to his last after revealing he took a pay cut to join the Reds.
Since signing, he has been inundated with messages of support and he’s determined to repay fans by helping the club to success over the next four months.
They need physicality there up front to hold the ball and make some movement
Odion Ighalo on United
“I want to thank them so far for all the messages they have been sending since I signed for this team,” he said.
“I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be a Man United player, I’m looking forward to the game and I promise to give my best from the first day I put on the jersey to the last day of my time here.
“I promise to add my own path to make sure the season finishes well for United.
“Thank you guys and God bless you.”
Ighalo scored 16 goals in 55 games in the top flight for Watford before he departed for the Chinese Super League.
And he’s told United fans that he can mix pace with power and is confident his loan spell will be a success. “Well, there’s not much to describe about me.
“I’m very fast, I’m skilful, I’m strong, I have good techniques, so I can find my way in the field of play, so, when I get started, I just have to keep going and gel with the team so that everything will work out very fine.”