Paul Scholes questions Ighalo signing, says his China exploits not credible

Paul Scholes questions Ighalo signing, says his China exploits not credible

Odion Ighalo, now a Red Devil..Photo: MailOnline

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has admitted he remains unconvinced by the club’s decision to bring in Odion Ighalo on loan.

After failing to sign the likes of Erling Haaland, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left scrambling around for a striker signing in a bid to reinforce his attacking line.

That search ended up going right down to the wire, with a deal for Shanghai Shenhua and former Watford striker Ighalo completed late on deadline day.

However, Scholes is not convinced that the 30-year-old will be the answer to the Red Devils’ problems with Marcus Rashford ruled out through injury.

‘I don’t think he’s a signing for the long term,’ Scholes told Robbie Savage’s Premier League Breakfast on BBC Radio 5 Live.

‘I think his scoring record in China is very good but is it that credible? I don’t know.

‘He is an out-and-out centre forward, I don’t think United have an out-and-out centre forward. He’ll play with his back to goal and he might bring players into play.

‘It’s good to have an extra body but when you’re United you want an extra body with quality and he’s got that to prove.

‘He’ll bring something different. I don’t see him starting many games.’

Ighalo could nevertheless make his debut against Chelsea with the striker in line to be in the squad after completing an enforced 14-day spell away from his new side due to coronavirus fears.

The striker was made to train away from the AON Complex at Carrington, with United having taken the precaution despite the fact that Ighalo did not arrive in the UK from Wuhan, where the virus originated.

Ighalo spent three years at Vicarage Road and scored 39 goals for the club in 99 appearances.

MailOnline