Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed confidence that Nigerian International striker Odion Ighalo will be a big hit at the club.

The 30 year old who could make his debut against Chelsea tonight joined his dream club in the January transfer window. Solskjaer says he has left the door open for Odhion Ighalo to earn a permanent contract with the club, when his loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua expires in the summer.

“It’s a loan, but when you’re in the door and if you impress it gives you a chance,” said Solskjaer at his pre-match press conference.

“That’s exactly the same for everyone who signs if it’s permanent or it’s a loan. If you impress as a player, if you impress as a person, if you can help this group improve, then of course there’s a chance that we’ll look at extending things.

“That doesn’t just go for Odion, but since you asked, yes, of course his incentive is to play as well as he can. And it’s up to us to make sure that he’d want to stay if we wanted him.

“I think he’s probably pinching himself at times, because he’s now at his favourite club at the age of 30.

“Hopefully he’ll prove to you what I think he will. He’s a proven goalscorer, so he’ll do all right.”

Ighalo had previously plied his trade in the Premier League with Watford before a big money move to Chinese club Changchun Yatai Football Club in the year 2017.

The Reds currently trail Chelsea by six points in the Premier League, meaning victory would put us back within touching distance of the Champions League spots.

Although qualification for Europe’s premier club competition is the aim this season, the manager still believes players will be attracted to Old Trafford, even if we finish outside the top four.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

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