Ighalo says he rejected offers from other Premier League clubs to stay in England as he lashes out at Solskjaer

FORMER Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has lashed out at Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying he treated him unfairly during his recent stint at Old Trafford by not giving him enough playing time to prove himself.

Ighalo, 31, joined Manchester United a year ago from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, initially on a six month loan. Due to a combination of issues including getting him back to fitness and ensuring he was not affected by the coronavirus, Ighalo did not start any game following his arrival on January 31 until February 27 last year.

Then, the coronavirus pandemic altered things dramatically as the suspension of the league meant Manchester United did not get much use of the striker during his loan spell. When the league resumed, Manchester United made fresh request to Shanghai Shenhua that Ighalo's loan spell be extended, leading to the striker remaining at the club for a full calendar year.

Ighalo impressed initially, scoring five goals in as many starts but then things turned sour as he started just two games this season before departing. While Ighalo said he continues to love the Red Devils, he admits he had to leave after he was regularly snubbed by Solskjaer.

Ighalo said: “There wasn’t much possibility because I wanted more playing time. At my age, I want to play and not just sit on the bench and not have any minutes.

“I didn’t just want to be there picking up a salary, I wanted to be involved so I said to my agent that if an offer comes in, I will look at it and see what’s best for me, which is what I did. After my initial loan was extended, I did not play much which was perhaps a bit unfair but as I said, I am always grateful for the opportunity.”

Ighalo also claimed that he rejected offers from West Ham and West Bromwich Albion, to keep him in the Premier League. In addition, he also revealed that he snubbed Tottenham Hotspur before signing for Manchester United.

“Yeah, there was the possibility of West Ham and West Brom to stay in the Premier League, which I thought about. However, after being at Manchester United, the biggest club in England if not the world, what else could I possibly do in the Premier League?

“I had good offers to stay in England but I just didn’t think I could stay after achieving my dream of playing for the club I had supported since I was young. I came all the way from China because it was Manchester United when I had already rejected other offers because United has always been my dream,” Ighalo added.