The former Nigeria international joined on a loan deal that keeps him at Old Trafford until the end of the season, but he could stay beyond this season according to Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The former Cardiff manager revealed that Man Utd could sign Ighalo permanently depending on how he performs as a player and as a person.
Ighalo joined United from Shanghai Shenhua on deadline day, but there was no option to buy permanently in the deal due to lack of time.
United only managed to sign the former Watford striker just a few hours before the January transfer window closed. In fact, there was no time to conduct a medical for the 30-year-old as that could have scuppered the deal.
However, following the conclusion of the deal, reports emerged that United were willing to talk with Shanghai Shenhua over a buy option.
It appears that is true after Solskjaer confirmed it is an option they could take up depending on how Ighalo performs till the end of the season.
“It’s a loan, but when you’re in the door and if you impress it gives you a chance,” Solskjaer said in quotes obtained from United’s website.
“That’s exactly the same for everyone who signs if it’s permanent or it’s a loan. If you impress as a player, if you impress as a person, if you can help this group improve, then of course there’s a chance that we’ll look at extending things.
“That doesn’t just go for Odion, but since you asked, yes, of course, his incentive is to play as well as he can. And it’s up to us to make sure that he’d want to stay if we wanted him.
“I think he’s probably pinching himself at times because he’s now at his favourite club at the age of 30.
“Hopefully he’ll prove to you what I think he will. He’s a proven goalscorer, so he’ll do all right,” Solskjaer added.
Ighalo will hope to get up and running when Man Utd take on Chelsea in the Premier League’s Monday night football at Stamford Bridge.
