Sports - Football - Transfers
Updated: January 26, 2021

Ighalo: Ex-Super Eagles Striker Puts Man Utd In Prayers As He Sends Emotional Farewell Message

By Ridwan Yusuf
January 26, 2021
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Ighalo is leaving Manchester United after one year.

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Odion Jude Ighalo has expressed hope that his club, Manchester United wins the English Premier League (EPL) title this season.

Ighalo's loan spell at Manchester United comes to an end this month (January), and the Shanghai Greenland Shenhua of China property put up a heartfelt farewell message on Tuesday.

Manchester United are currently top of the EPL table, and are on course to win a first EPL crown since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2012 - albeit with a strong challenge coming from neighbours, Manchester City, at the moment.

The Old Trafford club is also in contention to win the 2020-21 FA Cup, as they are presently in the 5th round.

Ighalo, 31, joined the Red Army on a temporary basis in January 2020 on an initial six-month deal. His contract was extended last summer.

Now, the lifelong Manchester United fan is set to have plenty of suitors with one of his representatives telling BBC Sport earlier this month: “I can confirm that some Premier League clubs, two teams outside of England and some clubs in the Middle East have made formal enquiries."

The Major League Soccer (MLS) is also an option for Ighalo, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) highest goalscorer.

Ighalo, a cult hero?

"It’s so hard to see this dream come to an end . But I give God the glory for helping me fulfill this life long dream of putting on a Manchester United shirt as a player and represent this great club, it was indeed an honour I will forever cherish and be grateful for," Ighalo wrote on his verified social media handles.

"To the Manager, I say thank you for trusting and believing in me when many did not. To my amazing teammates I will miss you guys. It was always fun and a time i look forward to training and spending time with all of you . And I pray we win the LEAGUE and FA cup this year.

"To the best fans in the world ( the Manchester United fans ) we have missed you , but we hear your voices cheering us on from afar , we can’t wait to have you all back on the stands.

"I’m still and would remain a MANCHESTER UNITED FAN forever. Once a Red, always a Red. Thank you @manchesterunited and God bless."