Ighalo Fires At Solskjaer, You Were Unfair To Me At Man Utd

by AnaedoOnline
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Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo, has said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was “unfair” to him during his time at Manchester United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails Odion Ighalo's Manchester United impact |  Football News | Sky Sports

Ighalo joined the Red Devils in January 2020 on a six-month loan deal from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.

He impressed initially, scoring five goals in as many starts, a form that saw his loan extended until January 2021.

But the 31-year-old started just two games this season before departing.

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And while Ighalo continues to “love” the Red Devils, he admits he had to leave after he was regularly snubbed by Solskjaer.

“There wasn’t much possibility because I wanted more playing time,” Ighalo told Sky Sports when asked if he could have extended his stay with United.

“At my age, I want to play and not just sit on the bench and not have any minutes.

“I didn’t just want to be there picking up a salary – I wanted to be involved so I said to my agent that if an offer comes in, I will look at it and see what’s best for me, which is what I did.

“After my initial loan was extended, I did not play much which was perhaps a bit unfair but as I said, I am always grateful for the opportunity.”

Ighalo, revealed that he was naked in bed trying to sleep when he got the call about his transfer to the club a year ago.

The former Nigeria International recalled how he rushed around a Shanghai hotel after being told Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side wanted him.

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“My agent told me he wants to see if I can go on loan to the UK, Manchester United were looking for a short loan, they were looking for a striker as Marcus Rashford was injured and he asked ‘what do you think about that?’

“I said ‘what club did you just mention?’ and he said ‘Manchester United’. Since that day he mentioned this name I did not sleep. He said I wasn’t the only option as they have four or five other options.”

The former Super Eagles star said he prayed every night asking God not to allow United to take any of the other strikers but him.

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Read Also: Transfer: Ighalo Set To Join New Club After Leaving Man Utd

He said a day before the transfer window was shutting down, his agent called him again saying the United were interested having failed to secure their other targets.

“I remember I was naked in bed trying to sleep when I got the call [from my agent] and he told me to get up and get changed.

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“I ran out of my room and knocked on my director’s door, he couldn’t speak English, so I went to the translator and he said ‘what’s going on?’” He added.

According to the former Watford front man, United sent the offer and his agent showed him the offer and he saw the club’s logo on headed paper, noting that he was shivering and praying that the deal happened.

“They then they negotiated, talked about the contract, my head was heavy. I was panicking, looking at the news, wanted to see what was going on,” he said.

Read Also: EPL: You’re Unfair To Ighalo, Fans Tells Man Utd Coach

Ighalo said about 6am when he got the message saying the contract signing was successful, he was lying in bed, crying and calling his mother.

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