Arsenal Legend: Why Ighalo could get Solskjaer sack at Utd

Manchester United new arrival Odion Ighalo could get Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sack at Old Trafford if he fails to perform during his five months loan spell at Old Trafford says Arsenal legend and former England international, Paul Merson.

Red Devils made a shocking deadline day loan move for 2019 Africa Cup of Nationa Golden Boot winner from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua as a replacement for the injured Marcus Rashford.However, Manchester United fail to bring Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, now at Borussia Dortmund and Bournemouth’s Josh King, Lyon’s Moussa Dembele and PSG all-time leading goalscorer Edison in the winter transfer window before settled for Ighalo.

Ighalo, 30, scored 16 times in 55 Premier League appearances for Watford before joining Chinses club two years ago but Merson doubts whether ex-Super Eagles striker has what it take impress at Old Trafford.He told Daily Star:

“Odion Ighalo could be the final straw at Manchester United.”If that signing is a disaster then Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are in big trouble.

“Don’t get me wrong. He could rediscover the form he once he had at Watford and be a huge success. But he could be the biggest laughing stock the Premier League has ever seen.”Only time will tell.

“But remember, the last time he was here he only scored once in 18 games before Watford sold him and he’ll have gotten lazy playing in China.

”Merson pointed to comparisons with Celtic and Sweden legend Henrik Larsson, who joined United on loan aged 35 and impressed in his short stint in 2007.But the France 1998 World Cup star does not believe Ighalo has the experience to emulate the Swede’s success. he added:

“I’ve heard people compare it with Henrik Larsson because nobody expected him to still be any good when United signed him either.

“But Larsson had been world-class. He had scored goals in major tournaments and won big trophies. And he still had his finishing and his movement.

“Ighalo doesn’t have any of that on his CV and he’s coming into a struggling team. The biggest one he’s ever played for.

“It’s a big ask, and if it all goes horribly wrong it will just pile more pressure on the manager because you’re always judged on your signings as well as your results.”

Ighalo will hope to impress by scoring goal when he makes his Manchester United debut when Red Devils travel to Stamford Brigde to take Chelsea aftert the winter break.

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