'He Wants To Be The Focal Point' - Hargreaves Likens Ighalo To Chelsea Striker Giroud

Published: March 11, 2020

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves on Wednesday heaped plaudits on Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo for his remarkable performances for the side since his January move from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

Hargreaves likened Ighalo to Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud as he highlighted the qualities of the former Nigeria international.

The arrival of the top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with five goals was overly criticised by many pundits, fans and former United players but Ighalo has turned up at Old Trafford with great impact.

"Odion Ighalo is a completely different option because if you think of Anthony Martial and Daniel James they want to run down the channels, they don't want the ball on their feet, they want to run behind but Ighalo is a different striker," Hargreaves said on Premier League Productions' The Analysis Show on Wednesday co hosted by former Ipswich Town midfielder Matt Holland.

"Ighalo wants the ball at his feet. He wants to be the focal point like Olivier Giroud at Chelsea. Even for the second goal (against Man City), he held the ball and brought others into play which Scott McTominay scored from.

"I think he has brought something different to the team and is different from others. He is a Man United fan. You could tell that whenever he steps unto the pitch, he's happy to be there and I think his performances have improved the team.

"That's what you want when you bring in players. Bruno Fernandes is the same and Ole's recruitment in January has been great," the former Manchester United star concluded.

Ighalo has scored thrice for the Red Devils as a starter in the Europa League against Club Brugge and in the FA Cup clash with Derby County but he is yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League.

Izuchukwu Okosi

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