Ighalo Scores 1st Man United’s Goal
- Rampaging Red Devils whitewash Club Brugge 5-0
Finally, the long awaited goal arrived on Thursday night for Odion Ighalo as he opened his Manchester United account in their Europa League match against Club Brugge at the Theatre of Dreams.
The ex-Nigeria international is up and running as a Red Devils player, becoming the first Nigerian to do so for the Old Trafford giants.
It was Ighalo’s first start for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men following his shock loan move from Shanghai Shenhua as a replacement for injured Marcus Rashford.
He returned to England following a stint with Watford, but has had to be patient in a bid to open his account for the Red Devils.
On a night that the Red Devils went on goal rampage hammering five past the Belgian side, Ighalo’s wait finally came to a close as he found the target in his third outing in the United shirt since arriving Old Trafford on January transfer deadline date.
With Bruno Fernandes running things impressively to fire the English side ahead after 27 minutes of action, the ex-Nigeria international found himself in the right place at the right time to prod home Juan Mata’s assist.
Fernandes twisted and turned on the edge of the area before floating a lofted through ball down the right side of the box for Mata. The ex-Chelsea man cut it back and the Nigerian was quickest to react to score from close range.
His trademark celebration was quickly wheeled out, with a clear sense of relief as Ighalo went through his well-rehearsed routine.
Thanks to his effort, he becomes the first Nigerian to score for United as well as the first African player to score for the club in all competitions since Eric Bailly in August 2017.
OptaJoe
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@OptaJoe
1 – Odion Ighalo is the first African player to score for Manchester United in all competitions since Eric Bailly in August 2017 against Swansewa in the Premier League. Super. #UEFAEuropaLeague
