'People Laughed At Man Utd For Signing Ighalo' - Ian Wright On Striker Silencing His Critics

Manchester United scrambled across the line to get former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo just before the winter transfer market closed for business.

It was clear that Manchester United needed a new striker after Marcus Rashford suffered a back injury and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to ease the goalscoring burden on Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

Considering United's new transfer policy of signing young English players, several pundits and fans questioned the signing of Ighalo, calling it a desperate move after the Red Devils failed in their attempt to snap up Joshua King.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright is delighted that Ighalo has silenced his critics by scoring three goals in his first two starts for the Red Devils.

"I'm delighted for him because like he said he could go down to maybe fourth or fifth and the way people really killed the signing like laughing at Manchester United for signing him," Wright told Premier League Productions.

"It was so last minute because what I was reading is the way they were ridiculing the signing of Ighalo because they were talking about the poor season he had before he left Watford, then going to China and not knowing exactly what he's been doing out there, how well it's been going for him, so when you go for somebody that was here at Watford four of five years ago, then people say is that where Manchester United are now."

Ighalo had been inactive for his Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua for close to two months before sealing his move to Manchester United, so he was definitely lacking match fitness prior to his debut.

Wright added : "I was hoping that Ighalo could just come in, get himself fit to a certain level, score the goals like he's done in Europe and in the FA Cup then go on to do it in the Premier League.

"And so far my wishes come true in respect of him scoring because when somebody does something like that the amount of people that are taking encouragement from him being there and doing that is a magnificent thing what's happening for him.

"So you just hope he can get himself fit, score more goals for Manchester United in the Premier League so people can say yes you can take a chance on someone like that".

Ighalo is in line to feature in his first ever Manchester derby on Sunday when United host reigning champions City at Old Trafford.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : manutd.com