Everyone loves a grass-to-grace story, the story of the underdog beating the favourites, the story of good over evil, and the story of right over wrong, and it is fair to say there is a bit of sentiment in everyone.
This was the feeling many football fans felt when former Nigerian international, Odion Ighalo joined Manchester United in the January transfer window of last year. With the way his United career is going, he might be forced to venture into online casino.
The player, who plied his trade in China, was brought in as a stop-gap measure following the injury to Marcus Rashford, and it felt like the perfect deal at the time. United had failed to replace Romelu Lukaku, who had left for Inter Milan, and failed to sort out the signing of Erling Haaland, who has since gone on to be a revelation at Borussia Dortmund.
His signing was met with derision by some section of the fan base, but here was a boyhood Manchester United fan who got his dream move, would give his all, was a proven Premier League striker, would add some experience to the team, and also help mentor United’s young strikers.
He was signed to the end of the season, and he began like a house of fire, scoring 4 goals in his first 3 starts, but that seems like a lifetime ago now.
He hasn’t started any game since August, and has been the worse for it since the enforced lockdown back in March, that took away his momentum.
Rashford came back from injury in June, was scoring goals, while the likes of Greenwood and Martial weighed in with productive output. While his loan ends in late January, he should be on the move come January 1, either to remain in the Premier League or go back to China. The feel-good factor about his arrival has worn off, and it’s time he also thought of his career, rather than wasting away on the Old Trafford bench.
At 32, he can still play football for some years, and without the stress and pressure of international commitments, can still play a number of years before his body can no longer take it. The signing of legendary Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavanihas pushed him further forward and grasping at thin air when it comes to getting minutes.
He has played and scored for his childhood club, but it’s time to focus on himself. He has lived the dream, but it’s time to wake up.
