Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has shared details of the sacrifices he made to join Manchester United on loan in January 2020, revealing the personal and financial costs involved.
In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Ighalo, who was with Shanghai Shenhua at the time, recounted the urgency and determination required to finalize his move to Old Trafford. He described how he stayed awake through the night to complete the deal before the transfer window closed.
“I received a call from my agent at 11 pm in Shanghai, informing me that Manchester United wanted to finalize the deal,” Ighalo said. “I woke up immediately and searched for a translator to communicate with the directors. I didn’t sleep that night because the transfer window closed at 7 am Shanghai time.”
Ighalo’s commitment to making the transfer happen was evident as he prioritized the move to Manchester United despite other teams showing interest. “From 11 pm onward, we were busy with paperwork and negotiations while other teams were also interested in me,” he added. “I told my agent that I wanted to go to United. He warned me I would have to take a pay cut, but I replied, ‘I don’t care. Make this deal happen. I want to go to United, regardless of the pay cut.'”
During his loan spell at Manchester United, Ighalo scored five goals despite limited playing time. His contributions included key goals in the FA Cup and Europa League, showcasing his impact at the club.
Ighalo’s tenure at Manchester United ended in January 2021, but his dedication and the sacrifices he made to join the club remain a testament to his commitment and passion for playing at one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
