MANCHESTER UNITED’S shock Deadline Day loan signing Odion Ighalo has hailed Marcus Rashford as “the best” player in Europe right now – but believes that he can offer the Red Devils something different in his absence.
Ighalo will initially deputise for Rashford, with the crocked 22-year-old not expected back until midway through next month at the very earliest.
The Nigerian will fulfil his boyhood dream when he pulls on the red shirt of United at Old Trafford but will immediately be faced with the pressure of stepping up for such a big club.
On the Red Devils’ current striking options, Ighalo told the club’s official website: “These players are great players.
“Greenwood is a very good player; young, very good left foot, Ive watched some of his game.
“Martial is very skilful, he can do so much magic with the ball and Rashford I think is, for me, one of the best, if not the best, player in Europe right now.
“Hes doing well, scoring goals; hes fast, he has good technique. Unfortunately, he is injured now and hopefully I am looking forward to playing with him, because he is a good player.
“So, for me, it is just a plus to the team, to work hard with these guys and make sure we end the season very well.”
With top-scorer Rashford out injured, the pressure will be on Ighalo to deliver the goals that fire United into next season’s Champions League.
But the former Watford striker has backed himself to offer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s front line more than just goals.
He continued: “They [United] have a striker that stays mostly in the middle, but Martial likes to come from the side, even Rashford and all that, so you need someone in the middle that can keep the ball, hold the ball, because Ive watched so many United games.
“So they need a physicality there up front to keep the ball, to give and to make some movement, which I believe, if everything goes well, I can add to the team.
But after diving into the statistics, SunSport has found that even playing in the Chinese Super League, Ighalo’s numbers since the start of the English season haven’t been as good as Rashford’s.
The United academy graduate has scored more goals, made more assists and boasts a lower minutes per goal involvement ratio.
Ighalo’s numbers are favourable compared to Martial’s though – but again with the caveat of having come in the CSL.
He could make his United debut against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after the winter break – or failing that, against Club Brugge in the Europa League at Old Trafford the following Thursday.
