'He'd Been On The Field For Seconds' - Ex-Chelsea Captain On Ighalo's Missed Chance Vs West Ham

Published: July 23, 2020

Former Chelsea captain Andy Townsend reckons that Odion Ighalo could have scored the winner for Manchester United in their 1-1 draw with West Ham in a Premier League match at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening if the Nigerian had spent more time on the pitch when presented with an opportunity to score.

Shortly after coming off the bench in the 85th minute to replace Marcus Rashford, the former Nigeria international, with his first touch, steered his effort wide of the target after a cut-back from Mason Greenwood.

Yesterday's clash was the first time in Ighalo's career that he didn't score against the Hammers, having netted three goals in two previous appearances against the London opponents during his days at Watford.

Speaking during commentary on the Premier League world feed, Townsend said : "Certainly could have been, Martial was behind him (Ighalo), whether or not he was better placed. Nice work from Mason Greenwood.

"He's gone up in the middle and Martial is going to come up this left hand side.

"Might have made more of that if he'd been out there for ten minutes but literally he'd been on the field for seconds when the ball arrives to him like that.

"Not in the best position to try and covert that".

Manchester United's Champions League fate will be decided on Sunday when they face Wilfred Ndidi's Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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