Ighalo had to take a huge pay cut to make his dream move to Manchester United happen, but insisted the English giants could not match the income he was earning in China.
Odion Ighalo has revealed how his dreams of moving to Manchester United almost fell apart because the English giants couldn’t afford him.
And Ighalo admitted he was forced to take a significant pay cut to secure a move to United. Despite claiming he intended to play for free. Ighalo joined United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in 2020, but has since scored just five goals in 23 appearances. But Ighalo had to give up his £200,000-a-week contract in China to fulfill his dream of playing for United.
Ighalo told Ladbrokes at the Ladies Faction launch: “I was in pre-season in Shanghai when my name was first mentioned in a conversation about Manchester United.
“We were in training camp when my agent called me and told me the club were looking for a loan striker to replace the injured Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
“Apparently I was on the list along with about four other players and from the moment I heard that I was very nervous.
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“I prayed that my other goals wouldn’t fall into place so I could make my dream move to United come true.As a boy I was always a big United fan and I was desperate to make the move happen.
“I remember shaking as the transfer approached. I still didn’t believe anything until I saw the official proposal from the club, but then I knew it was really happening.”
“I was going to be a United player. I remember when I arrived in Manchester all the reporters everywhere were asking me questions. That’s when my dream came true.”
“I took a pay cut to sign with the club, but to be honest, I wanted to play for them for free. When my agent talked to me about the transfer, he said United couldn’t afford me because of my salary in China and everything else.”
“I just told him to get the deal done. Whatever they paid me, I was happy with it.
“You know, we’re talking about Manchester United. Manchester United in England… I don’t care how much they’re paying me… just sign me! That’s it!”
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