Stats Show Ighalo is Good Replacement For Rashford

Odion Ighalo is set to be thrust in at the deep end at Manchester United. The Nigerian has been brought in to replace the crocked Marcus Rashford, as Solskjaer desperately tries to add goals to his side’s dwindling top four push.

And the numbers, according to a The Sun report, show that, albeit in the oft-maligned Chinese Super League [CSL] – Ighalo certainly knows where the goal is.

The former Watford man himself suffered an injury hit 2019 CSL campaign, missing 12 games in all competitions with a hamstring injury – as well as another five while at the Africa Cup of Nations.

When he could take to the field though, Ighalo was lethal, netting ten goals in 17 CSL appearances, including seven in his first eight prior to his injury.

While he’s certainly not as creative as Rashford, with zero assists attesting to that, he certainly has the single-minded instinct of many top strikers – with the finishing ability to match.

Again, coming with the CSL caveat, Ighalo actually had a better minutes-per-goal ratio [129] last season than Rashford [134] or Martial [194] have managed in this.

He has made no secret of his delight to be fulfilling his childhood dream in playing for Manchester United, and his work ethic and motivation could help to inspire those around him.

Also Read – Scholes: Ighalo Must Prove Himself A Quality Signing For United

Some will simply dismiss Ighalo’s achievements in the East, but former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez’s spell at Shanghai Shenhua in 2017 proved that it isn’t for everyone.

The Argentine netted only four goals in 20 appearances before being booted out of the Chinese club.

And in the 2018 season, Demba Ba only managed five goals in 17 CSL appearances.

Ighalo was hot property when he scored 18 goals in 42 games for newly-promoted Watford.

And it can be guaranteed that he will give absolutely everything he has got to make this loan spell a success.