‘I’m Fulfilled As A Footballer’ – Ighalo Reveals As His Deal With Man Utd Comes To An End

Nigerian football player, Odion Ighalo has expressed his joy in his achievements as his stay in Manchester United gradually comes to an end.

The 31-year-old joined Manchester United in January last year on a six-month loan deal that was later extended to 12 months after the forward exceeded expectations at the club.

Ighalo scored five goals in 18 appearances during his first season at Old Trafford and was happy to accept a back up role under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The arrival of Edinson Cavani in the summer  restricted Ighalo to just one Premier League appearance this season, with Solskjaer confirming his loan deal will not be extended.

Speaking further during the interview with ESPN, Odion said he will always look back at Old Trafford with great pride and a huge sense of achievement.

Odion said: “It was a good one and a tough one, before I came to United I never thought I would play.

“I’m a Reds fan. If you ask anybody where I grew up, we fight because of Manchester United. We quarrel and argue. So when my team didn’t do well they would start to insult and argue with me and I cried. I can tell you I’m the happiest man on earth for my dream to come true, I fulfilled my dream.

“I remember the night my agent called me to tell me Manchester United wanted me, it was 10 or 11pm. Shanghai time. I was under my bed naked, I didn’t sleep until daybreak.

“I don’t care about a pay cut, I just want go to Manchester United because this is my dream. I was under my bed shivering and walking around my room and I did not sleep until 6am.

“I’m fulfilled as a football player, if I don’t achieve anything from now when I finish my career I am fulfilled.”

While speaking about his next club destination, the Nigerian international said, “I have been watching MLS and the league is doing well and I would like to play in the MLS,” the Shanghai Shenhua loanee told ESPN.

“I have to wait for offers and if the opportunity arises, I will take it because the league is doing well and it is a good life and I would love it.

“Lots of players go there. Even Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus is there, also Giovanni dos Santos. Why not? I would like to go there if an opportunity arises. Being an experienced player, going there, doing well. It is an opportunity if it comes for me. The David Beckham club [Inter Miami] is growing, so if an opportunity arises why not?”