Man United extend Ighalo loan deal

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Shanghai Shenhua to extend the loan deal for Odion Ighalo, former Super Eagles forward.

The 30-year-old Nigerian international’s loan deal was originally due to end on Sunday.

The Red Devils, however, took to its website on Monday to confirm that Ighalo will now remain with the club until January 31, 2021.

“The Nigerian striker’s stay was initially due to end on 31 May but he will now remain with the Reds until 31 January 2021, enabling him to build on an impressive start to life with the club he supported as a boy,” a statement by United read in part.

“Ighalo’s tally of four goals in eight appearances so far includes at least one strike in each of his three starts – against Club Brugge, Derby County (2) and LASK.

“Ighalo will now hope to pick up from where he left off, after winning United’s Goal of the Month award for March with a stunning strike in our last match, the impressive 5-0 victory over Austrian club LASK in the Europa League.”

Despite making it clear that he would love to finish the season at Old Trafford, Shenhua had earlier rejected United’s requests to keep Ighalo for another three months.

The Asian club had requested that the former Watford star rejoin them to prepare for the start of the delayed Chinese Super League season.