Odion Ighalo appreciated the support of Watford fans during Sunday afternoon's Premier League match between Manchester United and the Hornets at Old Trafford, a game in which he made his home debut.

In two and a half years at Vicarage Road, the former Nigeria international notched up 40 goals in 100 appearances, before transferring to Chinese club Changchun Yatai in January 2017.

With 11 matches to the end of the Premier League season and Watford in the drop zone, Ighalo is hoping his former team avoid relegation.

"It's always special to hear the Watford fans sing your name because they know what I've done for them in the past when I was there," Ighalo was quoted as saying by Watford Observer.

"They are always in my heart and I love them for that.

"My wish is for them to keep fighting to remain in the Premier League because I know they have a good team, they are good people, it's a family club and they have a good owner and I just wish them all the very best to remain in the Premier League."

Ighalo, 30, played the last ten minutes of United's 3-0 rout of Watford and was unfortunate not to open his goalscoring account in the closing minutes when he put the ball into the side-netting.

Igho Kingsley

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