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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Richards

Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's admission over permanent Odion Ighalo transfer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is contemplating a permanent deal for Odion Ighalo this summer, who has says has been a "breath of fresh air" at Manchester United.

The Norwegian has been impressed with the Nigerian striker since his arrival on loan on the final day of the January transfer window.

United scrambled to bring in another forward, with Ighalo arriving from the Chinese Super League to add firepower and a different focal point to the side's attack.

Ighalo, 30, has previous Premier League experience with Watford, and offers more of a penalty box presence than Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and teenager Mason Greenwood.

While he hasn't been a first-choice starter thus far in Manchester, Solskjaer has been delighted with what Ighalo has brought on the training ground - and how his desire to score scruffy tap-ins is seeing him get chances during his run outs.

Additionally, he believes that Ighalo is having an effect on his other strikers, and is already considering an extended stay.

Solskjaer and his No.25 (Getty Images)

"It doesn't hurt [living the dream] but he's here on merit, he's here because he is a goalscorer and a different type of striker for us," said Solskjaer of the boyhood United fan, speaking to Sky Sports.

"We might get to the summer and think we want to extend this, who knows?

"He's come in as a breath of fresh air as well.

"He had chances in his five minutes against Chelsea , he scored against Brugge, he had chances against Watford , he had a very good save [from a shot] against Everton - there have been good saves, he doesn't miss the target very often.

Solskjaer has been delighted by what Ighalo has brought (Action Images via Reuters)

"Even for Anthony (Martial), Mason (Greenwood) and Marcus (Rashford) to learn that it is where the sharks are swimming.

"It's comfortable outside the box and you can have a few shots.

"It's in there where it might be a bit tougher and you might get hurt - that's where you get goals."

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