Odion Ighalo can achieve a feat that no Manchester United player has ever done before – if he scores in his next start for the club.
Nigerian’s improvised strike against Norwich City on Saturday was his fifth United goal in just four starts, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to sign the striker continues to seem like a master stroke.
Ighalo had previously scored after being named in the starting lineup against Club Brugge, Derby and LASK Linz – although he has yet to score (or start) in the Premier League.
The goals in four consecutive starts correspond to a result by Jimmy Hanson, the former united man who did it in 1924 and 1925, scoring against Hull City, Blackpool, Derby and Aston Villa.
Ighalo was asked by the official United website to have a chance to break the record every time he appears in an initial 11.
“Well, I’m thankful to God for this,” he said. “I am very happy because it is a great achievement for me. I think my name has been in the book in United’s history and I am very happy with it.
“Mainly because we won on Saturday and in the match we arrived at [FA Cup] semi final. This was the most important thing as it was a difficult game, so scoring and winning the game makes it even bigger for me.
“I’m happy with this result, it’s a bit of history and I hope to continue adding more.”
Ighalo has admitted the hectic nature of the program since football for United players started again.
And speaking ahead of tonight’s game against Brighton, he said that the great team available to Solskjaer comes as a push.
“It is difficult but it is so,” added Shanghai star Shenhua on loan, whose deal was extended until January.
“This is the job. We don’t have any other jobs, so we’re happy to do it. We have to keep doing it. It’s difficult after 120 minutes two days ago.
“Tuesday night is a difficult game but we have no excuse. We will only go there to win. The manager will likely rotate the team and bring new legs so that we can continue.
“It’s one of the perks of having a great team, having players ready to come in to change the game and come in to play in any position, so it’s really good for us.”
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