BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Former Manchester United forwards, Odion Ighalo and Dimitrov Berbatov have challenged Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, to make haste and join the Red Devils to further boost his career rating as a high-quality goal poacher on the global stage.
The two strongly believe the in-form Super Eagles striker has all it takes to blossom under Manager Erik Ten Hag’s watch at Old Trafford if he makes the bold transfer move now.
Advising his compatriot Osimhen to seriously consider joining United in this 2023/24 season, Ighalo, who enjoyed a short spell with the Red Devils in 2020, said; “My advice is for him to go to Manchester United. They need a hungry player like Osimhen. He is a fighter, he chases defenders, bullies them, good in the air, he is young and that is what Manchester United needs”.
Ighalo told Elegbete TV; “He (Osimhen) will do well in England because United will get the best out of him as well. If he gets a five or six-year contract, before then, you will see what he would have achieved. I’ve been with the club and I know how it is. So, I believe it’s a club that will suit him and he will achieve a lot.”
During his dream loan spell at Old Trafford under Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ighalo scored five goals in 23 appearances before joining Al Shabab in January 2021. He had previously played for Watford between 2014 and 2017, where he netted 39 goals in 99 matches.
On his part, another former Manchester United great, Dimitrov Berbatov urged the English club to prioritise the 24-year-old Nigerian striker among their summer targets.
With United desperate to strengthen their attack this summer, Berbatov also sees the Nigerian International reaching the high standards required at Old Trafford.
According to the former Bulgarian International; “There’s a lot of factors in play and sometimes it’s difficult to decide upon which striker would suit your team best. They need to sign a player that can score 20 to 25 Premier League goals a season and as I’ve previously said, I would like them to make a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen,”
Berbatov is further quoted on Manchester Evening News as saying; “They (United) can try for him, but if they don’t succeed, then they need to go for someone else as they desperately need a striker that’s capable of playing with his back to goal, that can pick a pass at the right time and more importantly, they need to be a player that can be in the right position, at the right time and score many goals.
“He scored five goals for Napoi in six UEFA Champions League games before their elimination in the quarter-finals by fellow Italian side, AC Milan. That indeed is a stand-out credential for a great striker that is required at Old Trafford.”
Osimhen has been linked to moving away from Italy with clubs like United and Chelsea indicating interest after his successful season with Napoli where his impressive goals hauls helped them win the Scudetto after 33 years in the football wilderness.
Reports have also shown that even French Ligue 1 Champions, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have identified him as an option to beef up their strike force ahead of next season.
The Super Eagles forward emerged top scorer in the last Serie A season with 26 goals and five assists in 32 appearances. He also scored five goals in six UEFA Champions League games before Napoli’s exit in the quarter-finals. – With agency reports
