Ighalo: Scholes, Giggs Heaps Praise On Nigerian Striker

The two Red Devils legends were sceptical about the signing of the China-based forward but have been won over by his brilliant showings

Manchester United heroes Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have confessed that they are pleased with the quality Odion Ighalo adds to Manchester United following his shock deadline day move during the January transfer window.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in the likes of Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Harry Maguire earlier this season, with Ighalo and Bruno Fernandes joining the team midway through the campaign.

The signing of Ighalo was the most unexpected of the lot, though, with the 30-year-old former Watford man seemingly seeing out the last days of his career in China.

However, the former Nigeria international has made a huge impact at United, scoring four goals in eight appearances, leaving Scholes hailing Solskjaer’s choice of signings.

“You have to say his [Solskjaer] three or four signings have been excellent,” Scholes told MUTV (via Metro).

“I was a little bit dubious about the Ighalo one, I wasn’t quite sure how that would work, but you have to say that’s worked as well.

“He’s a different kind of player from the players we had, a bit more of a target man which we miss and he seems to have settled in really well, scoring goals.”

Ighalo has had a similar effect on Giggs, who won 13 Premier League titles with the Red Devils.

Only last week, Ighalo was rewarded with a new eight-month deal that will see him remain at Old Trafford on loan until January 31, 2021.

Giggs is confident Ighalo will continue to excel at Old Trafford because his kind of centre forward gives the team something extra off the bench.

“He’s different, he’s a centre forward whereas the other players can play out wide,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“He gives you something extra off the bench when he’s not starting. Centre forwards always want to score goals, he’s done that everywhere he has gone.

“It’s positive that he is able to stay because he has done well. He makes an impact when he’s on the pitch.”

The Premier League is set to restart on June 17, and Ighalo would be aiming to continue giving his best for Manchester United who are placed fifth in the league table with 45 points after 29 matches.