Odion Ighalo: Manchester United player on loan until the end of the season

NewGlory

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Yeah, this sounds totally "normal" way for United to handle key signing... Sure

 

roonster09

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Maybe this will give Martial a much needed kick up the arse to find form again, I like that Ighalo has already been written off by most of the media & pundits because think it will really put the fire in his belly to prove them wrong.
He might play alongside Martial, with Martial moving to LW till Rashford is back.
 

mancan92

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Wait so Ighalo just admitted that it was a last minute deal. That he found out on deadline day. So all you guys who said no its not a panic by the club have been preparing him for a while etc. you now have proof that it was a straight up punt from us. Utter jokers the guys running things
 

TRUERED89

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Yeah, this sounds totally "normal" way for United to handle key signing... Sure

Except he isn't a "key signing", stop gap 4th choice last minute option. Who took a pay cut to come here too. We'll try and sign a long term ST in the summer for sure.
 

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Wait so Ighalo just admitted that it was a last minute deal. That he found out on deadline day. So all you guys who said no its not a panic by the club have been preparing him for a while etc. you now have proof that it was a straight up punt from us. Utter jokers the guys running things
No, he admitted that United had decided to "do the deal" on deadline day. As in, most likely a deal they had talked to him/his agent about before that time.
 

NewGlory

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Except he isn't a "key signing", stop gap 4th choice last minute option. Who took a pay cut to come here too. We'll try and sign a long term ST in the summer for sure.
He is a joke signing, but the point is - his position was key need for the squad, even before Rashy got injured and desperately so after Rashford's long-term injury
 

NewGlory

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No, he admitted that United had decided to "do the deal" on deadline day. As in, most likely a deal they had talked to him/his agent about before that time.
What is this made-up reality? He clearly said that the first time he heard about it was when his agent called him at 11pm. There was no talk before it.
 
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GBBQ

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Except he isn't a "key signing", stop gap 4th choice last minute option. Who took a pay cut to come here too. We'll try and sign a long term ST in the summer for sure.
Yeah exactly. Not the easiest job to find a striker for a 6 month stint. Most clubs will either want to sell permanently or retain the striker for the run in. Its a generally low risk option, even if all he does is to come on when the game is won and give martial / Greenwood a breather its better to have a recognised striker who can be a goal threat to hold the shape of the formation than, say, throwing Mata on. But at the same time you can understand why they might have tried follow up other leads before plumping for the 30 year old from the Chinese league.
 

GBBQ

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What is this made-up reality? He clearly said that the first time he heard about it was when his agent called him at 11pm. There was no talk before it.

Alternate reality much?
His agent confirmed he was talking to Woodward for days before

"It’s been hectic," he said. "I talked to Manchester United’s top boss [Ed Woodward] for a few days in advance. It was quiet on Thursday, and then I got the impression that nothing would happen.
https://www.90min.com/posts/6550127...e-day-switch-to-manchester-united-was-a-shock
 

redshaw

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We got a stiker in when other clubs couldn't. Having seen how poor Martial and Rashford have been up front on their own and one more injury would be a disaster, I'm pleased we got someone whether it was deadline day or not. No doubt the club is a mess though.
 

NewGlory

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We got a stiker in when other clubs couldn't. Having seen how poor Martial and Rashford have been up front on their own and one more injury would be a disaster, I'm pleased we got someone whether it was deadline day or not. No doubt the club is a mess though.
30-year old from China? Who last played in EPL 3 years ago and had a horrible last season at Watford? That's what we are proud of getting? United fans are the most gullible fans in the world.
 

Cassidy

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Except he isn't a "key signing", stop gap 4th choice last minute option. Who took a pay cut to come here too. We'll try and sign a long term ST in the summer for sure.
There is no for sure about this
 

TRUERED89

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30-year old from China? Who last played in EPL 3 years ago and had a horrible last season at Watford? That's what we are proud of getting? United fans are the most gullible fans in the world.
Spurs and Inter tried to sign him too fyi..
 

redshaw

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30-year old from China? Who last played in EPL 3 years ago and had a horrible last season at Watford? That's what we are proud of getting? United fans are the most gullible fans in the world.
You'd rather have no-one than him then?

No-one is proud of it or the situation the club is in.
 

Cassidy

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What is this made-up reality? He clearly said that the first time he heard about it was when his agent called him at 11pm. There was no talk before it.
If you watch the interview he actually says his agent called him the day before and said United and a few other clubs were interested. The call at 11pm was to say United wanted to close the deal
 

NewGlory

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If you watch the interview he actually says his agent called him the day before and said United and a few other clubs were interested. The call at 11pm was to say United wanted to close the deal
Yeah, @TRUERED89 found another quote that they had talks before as well. My bad
 

roonster09

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How sure can we be of those rumors?
I think Athletic and some other paper reported it. Ighalo said he rejected Barca move last season, his agent said there was offer from other PL club and he won't name it.
 

NewGlory

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You'd rather have no-one than him then?

No-one is proud of it or the situation the club is in.
Well, we are paying him more salary than Bruno apparently so - yeah, why would I want a warm body if he can't produce? There's very little evidence that he can help us in any way, and yet a bunch of fans are cheering him as if he were our Messi.

Speaking of which, I haven't laughed so much in a long while: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10905131/man-utd-linked-lionel-messi-free/



The Sun is.... adorable? :D
 

NewGlory

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I think Athletic and some other paper reported it. Ighalo said he rejected Barca move last season, his agent said there was offer from other PL club and he won't name it.
Wow That is incredible. Rejected Barca? I guess because of money?.. Weird
 

roonster09

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Wow That is incredible. Rejected Barca? I guess because of money?.. Weird
He is already on shit loads of money, he knew he won't get any game time so he rejected it. His interview is on BBC.

From last year

"My agent spoke to me about a loan interest from Barcelona. The club wanted a striker with La Liga experience and someone who understands Spanish football," Ighalo told BBC Sport.

"It was meant to be a six-month loan and strictly as a back-up striker. It was nice to hear that Barcelona were interested and any footballer would be more than happy to take it.

"But with due respect I had just finished as the second top scorer in China with 21 goals, I deserve better and didn't want to be a short-term player somewhere.

"We rejected it, it was an easy decision to make and I chose to stay in China by joining Shanghai Shenhua on a longer contract," Ighalo added.
 

NewGlory

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He is already on shit loads of money, he knew he won't get any game time so he rejected it. His interview is on BBC.

From last year
Interesting

How is it different being short-term backup for us? Because our attacker is already injured and he knows he will play some? :)
 

roonster09

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Interesting

How is it different being short-term backup for us? Because our attacker is already injured and he knows he will play some? :)
0 chance is starting to Barca with players like Messi Suarez. 100% chance to start for us with Rashford injured and lack of numbers in attack.

Also him being ManUtd fan and apparently Chinese league is delayed. Everything helped probably.
 

NewGlory

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0 chance is starting to Barca with players like Messi Suarez. 100% chance to start for us with Rashford injured and lack of numbers in attack.

Also him being ManUtd fan and apparently Chinese league is delayed. Everything helped probably.
makes sense
 

elmo

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What is this made-up reality? He clearly said that the first time he heard about it was when his agent called him at 11pm. There was no talk before it.
Time zone... 11pm in China isn't 11pm in England.

The deal wasn't settled in an hour like you think it is.

His agent was probably talking to the club before and they only agreed to do the deal on deadline day itself, subject to him agreeing.
 

crossy1686

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30-year old from China? Who last played in EPL 3 years ago and had a horrible last season at Watford? That's what we are proud of getting? United fans are the most gullible fans in the world.
Listened to Laurie Whitwell last night who is the journo for all things United at the Athletic, he said the following:

- United are not looking to sign players that don't fit the long term strategy of the club, however, because Rashford got injured the club were exploring the loan market for a short term stop-gap.
- The club spoke to Ighalo's agent a few days before deadline and enquired about a loan.
- The club also spoke to Bournemouth about King but they wanted a perm transfer. United offered £20m and £25m then pulled the plug on that deal as Bournemouth were holding out for £30m but as he's currently injured it could be a while before he got up to speed meaning it's too much money to waste when a loan option for Ighalo presented better money for value.
- The Ighalo deal has cost United in total around £4.5m for the whole 6 months including wages. He's on £300k a week in China but United are paying him £100k a week.
- Spoke about Paulinho coming from China to Barcelona a few seasons a go and being one of their better players so no concern about it being a retirement home as long as the player is still professional while there and stays fit.
- Spoke about how big clubs do this sometimes when caught short. Referenced Barcelona signing Kevin Prince-Boateng on loan the other season as a stop-gap also.
- Said during Ighalo's last year in England, his father passed away which hit him hard and affected his performance on the pitch.
- Was also disheartened about not joining United under LVG.
- His Ms's and child live in Manchester and have done for some time.
- Said that everyone he's spoken to connected to Ighalo has talked about how much he's a top guy and his family are great.
- Said United are aware they should have replaced Lukaku and Sanchez in the summer but the target's they're interested in aren't ready to move yet/ clubs asking too much currently. So United would rather wait another season and have a fresh run up this summer when they've done another year off their contract. Instead of signing whoever's available instead, which got us in this mess in the first place.
- Aston Villa enquired but wouldn't pay his wages. Barcelona enquired last January but he didn't want the move. Tottenham were in for him this window also but he turned them down in favour of United as he's a life long supporter of the club.

It could be way worse, this is essentially a win-win deal for everyone involved. If anyone's upset about this loan move it's due to an agenda.
 

Beachryan

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Wait, his family lives in Manchester? That's a pretty big win then.

I think move is an absolute no brainer. We literally just need a warm body up there - Greenwood is excellent at many things but he is not physically remotely close to being able to lead the line in the premier league. Martial will be injured. And that's it. We have literally no one else ready, at any level. Which of course a massive indictment of the club's squad planning, but is where we are.

For all the chat about how good Larsson was for us, he barely scored and was more important as just a sensible stopgap to manage injuries and the number of matches. I think Ighalo will be similar.

Perhaps most importantly, it means we have an actual forward on the bench we can bring on if we need to. Can you imagine being Manchester United and being unable to put a forward on the bench ffs!
 

NewGlory

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Listened to Laurie Whitwell last night who is the journo for all things United at the Athletic, he said the following:

- United are not looking to sign players that don't fit the long term strategy of the club, however, because Rashford got injured the club were exploring the loan market for a short term stop-gap.
- The club spoke to Ighalo's agent a few days before deadline and enquired about a loan.
- The club also spoke to Bournemouth about King but they wanted a perm transfer. United offered £20m and £25m then pulled the plug on that deal as Bournemouth were holding out for £30m but as he's currently injured it could be a while before he got up to speed meaning it's too much money to waste when a loan option for Ighalo presented better money for value.
- The Ighalo deal has cost United in total around £4.5m for the whole 6 months including wages. He's on £300k a week in China but United are paying him £100k a week.
- Spoke about Paulinho coming from China to Barcelona a few seasons a go and being one of their better players so no concern about it being a retirement home as long as the player is still professional while there and stays fit.
- Spoke about how big clubs do this sometimes when caught short. Referenced Barcelona signing Kevin Prince-Boateng on loan the other season as a stop-gap also.
- Said during Ighalo's last year in England, his father passed away which hit him hard and affected his performance on the pitch.
- Was also disheartened about not joining United under LVG.
- His Ms's and child live in Manchester and have done for some time.
- Said that everyone he's spoken to connected to Ighalo has talked about how much he's a top guy and his family are great.
- Said United are aware they should have replaced Lukaku and Sanchez in the summer but the target's they're interested in aren't ready to move yet/ clubs asking too much currently. So United would rather wait another season and have a fresh run up this summer when they've done another year off their contract. Instead of signing whoever's available instead, which got us in this mess in the first place.
- Aston Villa enquired but wouldn't pay his wages. Barcelona enquired last January but he didn't want the move. Tottenham were in for him this window also but he turned them down in favour of United as he's a life long supporter of the club.

It could be way worse, this is essentially a win-win deal for everyone involved. If anyone's upset about this loan move it's due to an agenda.
This is great analysis. Ideally:

1. Hopefully he is a predatory poacher. We need such attacker - keeping things simple and getting extra "easy/free" goals. None of our attackers have poacher instincts.
2. Most importantly - I hope he's a leader who can inspire, mobilize and unite. We need more of those. Bruno seems a great example, and we could use more.
3. Hoping he can get in form quickly. I read that for them it was pre-season so he's likely out of form
 

Mihai

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What is this made-up reality? He clearly said that the first time he heard about it was when his agent called him at 11pm. There was no talk before it.
Stop embarrassing yourself.