Odion Ighalo has penned a heartfelt goodbye to Manchester United and the club’s fans as his loan deal comes to an end.
The Nigerian joined on transfer deadline day a year ago as United required emergency cover up front due to the injury of Marcus Rashford.
However, a fully fit United front line and the arrival of Edinson Cavani last summer has seen his game time dwindle.
Ighalo’s loan now comes to an end and the striker will return to Shanghai Shenhua in China.
He scored five goals in 23 appearances.
“It’s so hard to see this dream come to an end,” Ighalo posted on Instagram.
“But I give God the glory for helping me fulfill this life long dream of putting on a Manchester United shirt as a player and represent this great club, it was indeed an honor I will forever cherish and be grateful for.
“To the Manager I say thank you for trusting and believing in me when many did not , to my amazing team mates I will miss you guys , it was always fun and a time i look forward to training and spending time with all of you . And I pray we win the LEAGUE and FA cup this year.
“To the best fans in the world ( the Manchester United fans ) we have missed you , but we hear your voices cheering us on from afar , we can’t wait to have you all back on the stands .
“I’m still and would remain a MANCHESTER UNITED FAN forever. Once a Red, always a Red.
“Thank you @manchesterunited and God bless.”
What did Ighalo achieve in Manchester?
Ighalo moved to Manchester United, his boyhood club, on the final day of the 2019-20 January transfer window.
He played an important role for the club at the end of last season, scoring five goals in 19 appearances as United reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Europa League.
His first-team opportunities declined this season, however, especially after United signed the former Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani on a free transfer in October.
