Odion Ighalo’s sensational loan transfer to mighty Manchester United was greeted by a lot of derision even by those who ought to know better.
But after three goals in two starts, the striker could be said to be enjoying life at the club he supported as boy growing up in the Lagos slum of Ajegunle.
Ighalo has trended frequently on social media with his fellow Nigerians loudly supporting one of their own.
The highpoint thus far for Ighalo at Old Trafford has to be a 2-0 win over Manchester City in the derby.
It was the third time United will go past the champions this season.
“Even before the game, we knew it was going to be tough against a good side,” the 31-year-old striker recalled.
“We’re capable of beating any team if we play to our standard.
“Everybody was buzzing from the first minute to the last.”
He continued: “We have now gone 10 games unbeaten. We’re winning, we’re doing well, we’re smiling in the dressing room.
“This is the United of the past.
“We have the belief, the never-say-die spirit of United.
“We can do great things in the future.”
Ighalo was an impact substitute in the Manchester Derby.
“I asked myself ‘Is this really happening to me?’
“Somebody even said I was happier than the player who scored the goal.
“But you will not understand what was going through my mind.
“I celebrated the team and I’m still feeling like it’s a dream (to play for United).”
He said he is thrilled to be at the biggest club in the world.
“Seeing and supporting the club from the outside is a different thing,” Ighalo explained.
“Now I am playing for the biggest club in the world.
“This moment will be in my head all the days of life.”
Tonight United will take on LASK in Austria for a place in the last eight of the UEFA Europa League.
Ighalo is expected to lead the attack in the absence of injured Anthony Martial.
“We’re focused on the game, it will be another difficult one,” he warned.
“Every game from now will be difficult, but we want to finish the season well.”
Could he now be handed a permanent contract by the Red Devils at the end of the season?
