The fate of Odion Ighalo hangs in the balance but it appears the 30-year-old has already decided on his football future. Currently, on loan to Manchester United, it appears the Nigerian striker is enjoying his stay at Old Trafford and prefers to stay there moving forward.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been urged to keep Ighalo, someone whose contract will expire on May 31. Complications have cropped up because of the COVID-19 pandemic, one that includes possibly seeking permission from his Chinese Super League team (Shanghai Shenhua) for an extension. But with football action indefinitely suspended, addressing that has been put on hold.
Ighalo will be fulfilling a boyhood dream if he is kept by United. A professed Red Devils fan, admits that he is inspired and motivated to be at Old Trafford. And judging by his words over at the team's official website, Ighalo seems decided on staying on for United and play his best each time he is on the football field.
“I am a fighter, I never give up, I go for what I believe I can achieve and I give my best, 100 percent, no matter the outcome of the game, win or lose, I always give 100 percent from the beginning,” he said.
Before the season came to a grinding halt, Ighalo had already scored four goals in eight appearances. His performance is one of the reasons why most feel that Solskjaer is likely to try and keep him. Also, the fact that he wants to be a beast on the field each time he is utilized should further boost the belief Solskjaer has in him even if it does not show in his personality.
“I am a fighter, I never give up, I go for what I believe I can achieve and I give my best, 100 percent, no matter the outcome of the game, win or lose, I always give 100 percent from the beginning,” Ighalo said.
But before all these can be ironed out, the fate of the current season needs to be addressed. Ighalo is just one of the multiple players who are wondering what the future holds for them. If the season is scrapped, most will be left hanging as they await what their current clubs have in store for them. But of all the players, Ighalo looms as one of the select few likely to move on toward next season if the Red Devils can come to terms with Shanghai Shenhua.
