Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has urged the Red Devils to sign Odion Ighalo on a permanent deal following a blistering start to his career with the Old Trafford outfit.

Several fans and pundits alike had questioned the decision of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to move for the former Nigeria international in the January transfer window but they are now singing a different tune after he netted 4 goals in his first three starts for United.

Speculation in the media suggests that Manchester United are keen to reward Ighalo with a contract extension when his loan deal expires, and Ferdinand believes the Shanghai Shenhua-owned striker deserves a new deal.

Shanghai Shenhua, to whom he is contracted until December 2021, are demanding at least fifteen million pounds to shred their agreement with the 30-year-old.

In quotes carried by the Metro making reference to a question and answer session Ferdinand had with his Instagram followers, the central defender turned pundit said : "Wow, eight games, three starts in that, four goals and one assist. Ighalo, do you sign him for Manchester United now?

"All them people that out there that were saying: “What are we doing signing Ighalo? What’s going on? What’s Ole thinking?” – I was one of them, I have to admit it.

"Ighalo’s been in China, the league’s nowhere near what the Premier League is so how’s he gonna get up to speed? Is he gonna be ready straight away? We need somebody to come and make an impact immediately. Coming from China, impossible”. Well he’s proved us all wrong.

"This guy has proved us all wrong. It’s refreshing to see someone who is like a supporter, who is thankful.

"He looks like he’s absolutely delighted to be at Manchester United. He’s been a Manchester United supporter his whole life.

"He looks like he’s saying “thank you” every day he walks up to Ole for giving him this opportunity. He’s not someone who says “Manchester United are lucky to have me here” – that’s the vibe I’ve got for a little while and that’s not just United, that’s other clubs as well.

"This boy looks like he’s happy to be here: “Whatever you tell me to do I’m gonna go out there and do it to the best of my ability.

"I’m gonna give you 100 per cent every day in training and in matches because I love this club and I want to do right by this club”. I love it.

"It’s shocked me to see what he’s done. Listen, we’re not talking like he’s turned Man United into world-beaters but United needed something and he’s brought it in and given it and that’s all you can ask for.

"And I think he’s warranted the opportunity to come in as a full-time player and what he’s given Manchester United which they didn’t have is someone they can pass the ball into and can hold it up, he’s got a physical presence, he can hold off a defender or two and lay the ball in for someone else to score."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel