Manchester United Not Losing Sleep Over Ighalo Returning To Shanghai Shenhua

Manchester United are not losing sleep over former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo returning to his parent club Shanghai Shenhua with his loan deal set to run out in the next nine days.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer was signed in the January transfer window to provide cover for the injured Marcus Rashford but the England star has resumed training with the Red Devils after recovering from a serious back ailment he suffered against Wolverhampton Wanderers in January.

While United want to extend Ighalo's loan deal beyond May rather than offering him a permanent deal, Shanghai Shenhua want their number nine back in China ahead of the resumption of the Chinese Super League.

Commenting on Ighalo's future, Sky Sports pundit James Cooper said : "As far as Ighalo goes, I think there is a relaxed mood from Manchester United.

"The facts of the matter are that his contract comes to end next Friday, May 31.

"There is a will from Manchester United to keep the player, I think equally Shanghai Shenhua would like the player back in China playing for them.

"The relaxed attitude that comes from Manchester United, is that Marcus Rashford is now fit and so there is less need for Ighalo.

"But I think all things being equal United would like to keep him."

Ighalo was in red-hot form before football activities were halted in England, netting four goal in eight matches while providing an assist.

Igho Kingsley