Odion Ighalo has been a partial hit for Manchester United so far this season having netted four goals in eight appearances for the club.
And now it’s being claimed that the Old Trafford outfit are eager to make the loan deal permanent by offering him a long-term deal at the club.
While his parent club wants him to return back to China and have already tabled a new and improved bid but Odion Igahlo is waiting to see if Man United offer him a permanent deal or not.
And according to Paul Merson, the forward will not reject an offer from the Red Devils should they are interested in giving him one.
Merson told Sky Sports: “When Odion Ighalo arrived at Manchester United in January, I didn’t really want to get involved in any conversations about him because, either way, there was a danger of being made to look silly.
“If you said he was going to be awful he could embarrass you badly by performing like he did during that brilliant year he had with Watford or if you said he was going to be a good signing, he could still be the player who put in some awful showings just before he left Watford.
“I didn’t want to get involved in that because it was a no-win situation.
“However, what I can say now is that he’s been absolutely outstanding since he arrived at Old Trafford.
“I know he hasn’t played a lot of football but when he’s come off the bench and when he has got some game time, he’s looked class.
“It’s a hard decision Manchester United have to make regarding his future because if you give him a contract, can he perform again that next season?
“When you go to a club on loan you’ve got that hunger of wanting to secure a permanent move, prove everybody inside the club right and everybody outside the club wrong. All of a sudden, you give someone a contract and they think they’ve done all the hard work.
“You’ve only got to look at his time at Watford. He looked a world-beater but then next minute he couldn’t score a goal for toffee. But if you are going on the form he’s showed since coming to the club in January it’s going to be hard to get rid of him.
“And don’t worry about the new mega-money offers in China.
“He’s said all the right things since joining Manchester United. He’s turned around enough times and said he’s dreamed of playing for United so if they do offer him a permanent deal, I can’t see him turning it down.
“Everything’s gone right for him so far and if United do offer him a chance to stay, I’d be shocked if he walked away.”
Odion Ighalo to stay at Manchester United?
Odion Ighalo has time and again made it clear that it has been his dream to play for Manchester United. But he also knows it for a fact that he will only be able to play second fiddle if he chooses to stay.
So while some players would want to take that extra money and head off to a distant land, we don’t think the Nigerian will choose that path primarily since he has the opportunity to play in the Premier League that too for his beloved club.
