I Achieved My Dreams, Nothing Else To Do In The Premier League, Says Ighalo

Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has revealed the reason behind his departure from Manchester United and why he didn’t consider joining another Premier League club despite receiving offers.

Ighalo joined Manchester United in shock move on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020. He played regularly in his firs three months before the lock down but found playing time hard to come by after the lock down. In all competitions, he played 23 times and scored five goals.

“There wasn’t much possibility[of extending beyond January] because I wanted more playing time. At my age, I want to play and not just sit on the bench and not have any minutes,” Ighalo told Sky Sports.

“I didn’t just want to be there picking up a salary – I wanted to be involved so I said to my agent that if an offer comes in, I will look at it and see what’s best for me, which is what I did.

“I’m so happy that my path crossed with Manchester United – it’s the club I love with all my heart and for all my life so playing for them was a big privilege that I do not take for granted.

“No matter the circumstances that led me to leave, I will always be grateful to the coach, my team-mates, the fans, and everyone around Manchester United. After my initial loan was extended, I did not play much which was perhaps a bit unfair but as I said, I am always grateful for the opportunity.”

Ighalo reveals he had offers from West Ham and West Brom to stay in the Premier League but said he turned them down because he had achieved his dreams, and after playing for Manchester United, there’s nothing else to do in the Premier League. 

“Yeah, there was the possibility of West Ham and West Brom to stay in the Premier League, which I thought about,” he said.

“But after being at Manchester United, the biggest club in England if not the world, what else could I possibly do in the Premier League?

“I had good offers to stay in England, but I just didn’t think I could stay after achieving my dream of playing for the club I had supported since I was young.”

Ighalo is a lifelong Manchester United and after he had fulfilled his dream to play for the club, he joined Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab in January.

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