Life’s now smiles better
ODION Ighalo is happy to play the role of mentor to some of United’s youngsters, but insists the current dressing room is a ‘privilege’ to be a part of.
The striker’s impact on the squad dynamic was praised by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the weekend after the striker continued his perfect record in front of goal when starting for the club.
The feel-good factor in the squad has been boosted by a 15-game unbeaten run, but it’s also a transformation from last season, when the spirit in the United dressing room looked to have sunk to a new low.
Now Ighalo paints a picture of a squad that is having fun with its football and the results have been evident on the pitch. And while the 31-year-old might only be on the fringes of the first-team picture, he’s happy to play the role of experienced professional in what is a young group.
“We have a good squad with good lads and good players, who are ready to work to give everything they have for the team. So it’s a privilege for me to join them, to play with these great lads - the young ones, the mature ones,” Ighalo told United Review.
“They are good people and you see the atmosphere is always great.
“People are happy coming to work to do their job, smiling.
“Me, I’m a happy guy, I’m always around there and sharing with everyone - who is playing, who is not playing, who is down.
“We just laugh and talk about everything. I’m happy if the manager thinks I’m a great addition to the team, but the squad is fantastic.
“I am happy to always encourage the young ones as well, to push them to achieve their dream and work hard.”
Ighalo has turned out be an ultra-reliable striking option for Solskjaer, despite the raised eyebrows that accompanied his loan move from Shanghai Shenhua at the end of January.
The striker has been so valuable within the squad that his loan has now been extended until the end of January.
His performances in cup competitions have allowed Solskjaer to rest Anthony Martial, while Marcus Rashford
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is now back fit to complement an impressive strike force. Ighalo believes all three are having success because of the contrast in their styles that works well in the squad.
“Martial is very skilful, he’s a direct striker. He likes to play with the ball at his feet. Rashy likes to run in behind,” Ighalo explained of United’s joint top scorers this season.
“I think I bring different things to the strikers we have.
“I can play with my back to goal, I can keep the ball.
“I’m strong so it’s different, you know, and for the different games, we play different patterns and with different strategies.
“So it’s good to have different types of striker in order to accomplish what you want.”
Ighalo believes he is a stronger player than he was in his last Premier League stint with Watford and is more capable of pushing himself now.
The boyhood United fan has relished every minute of his unexpected chance to shine at Old Trafford and he was as impressive at in the FA Cup win over Norwich at Carrow Road with his work off the ball as well as on it.
“If you can’t touch the ball or you can’t do anything with the ball, you have to unsettle the defenders so your other team-mates can move and do something with the ball,” the striker explained.
“It’s what I was trying to do in the first half (against Norwich) when I wasn’t getting too many balls.
“Just keep running, keep putting pressure on them and making them make mistakes so you can have other channels for the players to go into.”