Manchester United announced that they have officially reached an agreement with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua to extend the loan deal for Odion Ighalo.
Ighalo’s deal with the Red Devils was to end on May 31, but he will now remain with the Old Trafford unit until 31 January 2021.
Formerly of Watford, Ighalo joined United as a relief option primarily for FA Cup and Europa League games and scored four times in eight appearances prior to coronavirus shutting down football.
And football fans have taken to social media to react to the extension of Ighalo’s loan deal, something United fans have been looking forward to since months.
Imagine this goal with a packed crowd
— Paul ? (@PaulDHeenan) June 1, 2020
3 critical view ?
— Uthman Skusha (@UthmanSkusha) June 1, 2020
He could have earned it right now by going back to China, but staying at his dream club means more to him than money. This guy>>>> pic.twitter.com/I1T8dCM1YA
— SauSays❤️ (@SauSays) June 1, 2020
This comes as a timely boost for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as he continues to prepare his squad for this month’s resumption of competitive football.
Odion Ighalo’s starts for Man Utd:
⚽ vs. Club Brugge
⚽⚽ vs. Derby County
⚽?️ vs. LASKA much-appreciated addition to the squad. ?? pic.twitter.com/nHQancrLQu
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 1, 2020
And according to reliable journalist, Fabrizio Romano, United have the option to buy Ighalo at the end of the loan spell.
Manchester United will also have a buy option to sign Ighalo on a permanent deal on January 2021, at the end of the loan. ? #MUFC #ManUnited #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 1, 2020
The lifelong United fan will be hoping to pick up from where he left off, after winning United’s Goal of the Month award for March with a stunning strike in their last match, the impressive 5-0 victory over Austrian club LASK in the Europa League.
The Premier League‘s proposed return date is 17 June and the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals have been lined up for the weekend of 27 and 28 June.
