Former Man United man Odion Ighalo has revealed that not only does he think transfer target Victor Osimhen would be a “good fit” for the club, he says he’ll even “advise him” to join them this summer.
Ighalo‘s relatively short time at United may have come almost out of nowhere, but it was still nevertheless a chapter that most fans enjoyed; characterised by plenty of smiles and the wholesome story of a lifelong Red finally joining his dream club — plus he also managed to score a few goals.
However, it might surprise a few fans to learn that it was Ighalo’s loan move to United back in 2020 that actually prevented them from securing the signature of highly sought-after Napoli forward, Osimhen, who was just coming through at Lille at the time.
Speaking to Complete Sports back then, his Osimhen’s brother Andrew said that United’s interest was very real but simply had “too much respect for Ighalo to be competing for shirts with his senior colleague.”
“My brother holds Ighalo in high esteem and he just didn’t see himself going to Old Trafford to battle for a striking role with the highest goalscorer at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.” It would seem that love is just as equally reciprocated, with Ighalo insisting that the 24-year-old is “like a brother to me”.
ADVERTISEMENT
As he went on to tell Sky Sports, Ighalo said, “If he asked for my opinion and what should he do, I would advise him to join United because, for me, they are the biggest club”, adding that not only would he “fit in so well”, he also believes being paired up with Marcus Rashford would be a frightening prospect.
The 33-year-old noted that as his Nigerian compatriot is “young boy” who can run and score goals, he believes that the idea of having him and Rashford in the top at United “will cause any defender panic, because they are two fast players and they are goalscorers.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Currently playing in Saudi Arabia, Ighalo assured that he keeps in regular contact with Osimhen. “We talk once in a while, I advise him, I talk to him and I tell him to keep working hard and believe in himself, which he is doing. He is on the right path. He is a goalscorer, he never stops.
“Osimhen is like an ant. He is a striker that doesn’t give defenders a chance to rest; he is always going to be on you, he is always going to press you and he isn’t afraid.”
Sounds like the kind of player any team would snap up given the opportunity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, with 21 goals and four assists in all competitions already this season and almost just as many for the current Serie A leaders last year (this being only his third campaign for the club), United obviously won’t be the only team looking to go in for the striker in scintillating form.
Moreover, it is also a question of whether or not Osimhen would fit into Erik ten Hag‘s side and the way he wants to play going forward, not to mention links with Spurs and England star Harry Kane looking stronger than ever following their Champions League exit.
What do you reckon, United fans — if you had your pick, would it be Osimhen or Kane?
Featured Image — Sky Sports/Man United/Napoli/Victor Osimhen (via IG)
Sport
Greater Manchester stadiums included in the bid to host the Women’s World Cup confirmed
Danny Jones
The locations for the official UK bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup have been revealed, along with the Greater Manchester football stadiums chosen for the honour.
Not exactly a ground-breaking spoiler, but the FA did make a somewhat curious choice when they shared the news.
In case you hadn’t heard the news earlier this year, our nation has officially thrown its hat into the ring for the Women’s World Cup (WWC) in 2035, with England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all set to offer up their arenas as part of the record-breaking proposal.
Naturally, a region as footy-obsessed as ours and with two of the biggest stadiums in the country was always going to be included, but as mentioned, there was a particular detail that lots of people quickly noticed following the announcement.
Yes, in a slightly bizarre but ultimately innocuous turn of events, Etihad Stadium – home of Manchester City FC – has been selected, as was the world-famous ‘Theatre of Dreams‘, the only difference being that it was listed separately from the city itself.
Instead, Man United’s iconic home turf, Old Trafford, has been listed as just that: in Trafford, specifically, as opposed to simply being listed in the same section as its sky blue counterpart.
Now, while it’s true that all 10 boroughs have their own identity, culture (not to mention some subscribing to still being part of Lancashire or even Cheshire), it did strike us and others as a bit odd to put that rather iconic and equally historic venue down as almost separate from the city.
Many would argue that one of the things Manchester is best known for around the globe is the team of Red Devils that play at that ground.
Naturally, ‘Cityzens‘ have had their fair share of fun with the post and, conversely, there’s been plenty of retorts regarding ‘supporters from Stockport’, as you would expect…
Nevertheless, we’re just glad to see the Etihad and Old Trafford continuing to cater to some of the biggest dates on the sporting calendar.
Some have actually argued that the region should have been given opportunities to host more stadiums and/or games as part of the market pitch, as the likes of both Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic’s stadiums were floated as viable or even better alternatives, capacity-wise.
Either way, with the 22 venues that have been selected for the UK’s bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup and us Brits currently unopposed in the race to secure the tournament, the FA are going all-in for the 48-team competition, which would be “the biggest single-sport event ever staged in the UK.”
You can read more down below.
Our shared ambition: to host the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK, and the first FIFA World Cup in this country since 1966.#AllTogetherpic.twitter.com/y6GOPEPDdG
Stockport County’s Christmas dinner in a cup returns for 2025 as part of new festive food range
Danny Jones
We can’t believe it’s rolled around again already, but with the festive period well underway and the big day just a few weeks away, Stockport County have brought back their viral ‘Xmas dinner in a cup’for 2025.
Better still, the County Courtyard has seen some new Christmas specials added to its food menu, too.
The local football club are absolutely flying in League One at the moment, having spent plenty of time at the top of the table already and still well and truly contesting those promotion/play-off spots.
If you’re a Stopfordian, that’s plenty of cause for celebration right there, but with the Christmas dinner in a cup also up for grabs once more, the holiday season literally couldn’t taste any better right now.
For those who’ve never seen it before, it’s exactly what it says on the tin – well, cup: a little Sunday dinner in a County-branded takeaway coffee cup, complete with a healthy pour of gravy and pretty much all the trimmings you could hope for.
Yes, including sprouts, because all of you who still don’t touch them need to grow up already.
Currently priced at just £4.50, not only does it contain virtually all the major food groups (barring the customary matchday pints, of course), it might just be one of the healthiest and best value-for-money bits of footy scran around – certainly in Greater Manchester, anyway.
But, as mentioned, that’s not all this year; Stockport are also serving up the new festive hot dog and even a ‘leftover Christmas curry’ in a bowl, which might even be more warming on a cold night at Edgeley Park than the Xmas dinner in a cup or clinging onto a flask of Bovril.
Anyone else craving that curry with a cheeky bit of bubble and squeak now?
It’s also worth noting that you’ll only be able to get one of those on Boxing Day, by the way, when the Hatters host Lincoln City in the league.
As for the rest of it, County fans can get their hands on this seasonal scran for the first time this year at the weekend when Dave Challinor’s side take on Barnsley at 12:30pm, and two of the three specials will then be served at home every game over the holiday period.
Speaking of random Christmas food creations, there’s another limited-time-only and potentially divisive example that we’ll also be sampling this December…
Danny Jones -
9th March 2023 
