Stam: Ighalo Needs Teammates Support To Thrive At Man United

Manchester United legend Jaap Stam says Odion Ighalo will need help from his teammates to adapt to his new club.

Ighalo sealed a stunning loan switch to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day in January from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.

The 30-year-old made an impressive cameo debut appearance in United’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Monday and came close to opening his goal account in the encounter, firing his shot straight into the hands of goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

Ighalo racked up 33 Premier League goals in 82 appearances during his three-year stay with Watford before moving to China to join Changchun Yatai where he bagged 36 goals and then he scored 10 goals for Shanghai Shenhua.

Stam admitted the forward may find it difficult to adapt to a big club like the Red Devils but hopes he will succeed with the side, whom he has always supported as a kid.

“I hope he’s going to surprise people. He played for Watford for quite a while and went to China and he scores goals,” Stam told 888Sport, as quoted by the Express.

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“It might have surprised a lot of people that he went to United but they needed a striker and one with pace and physique who can score goals and he is proven.

“The only thing is it’s very different playing for United than smaller teams in the league but he’s got better players around him who can help him out. We saw that against Chelsea.

“Hopefully he is going to do well for the club and himself. Hopefully, he performs.”

Ighalo could be handed his full debut when Manchester United take on Club Brugge in the first leg Round of 32 fixture of their Europa League game on Thursday night in Belgium.