Quique Sanchez Flores has warned Manchester United that Odion Ighalo may take time to get up to speed following his shock loan move to Old Trafford.
Ighalo, who has been seen pictured smiling at The Lowry hotel, was a surprise addition on transfer deadline day after failed attempts to sign teenage sensation Erling Braut Haaland, and Bournemouth’s Josh King.
The Nigerian’s arrival is much welcomed, with star man Marcus Rashford out for the foreseeable future.
Anthony Martial, who has scored just twice in his last eight games, and 18-year-old Mason Greenwood are the only recognised strikers on the books at Old Trafford.
Ighalo, who grew up as a United fan, spent three seasons at Watford, scoring 33 goals in 82 appearances for the Hornets.
He moved to China in 2017 though, first representing Changchun Yatai before moving to Shanghai Shenhua.
Flores has coached the 30-year-old in both China and during his spell in charge at Watford.
Despite prospering abroad, he’s warned Ighalo things might not go quite as smoothly back in England: “Mainly, the problem is how they train in China. It is not the same as in England.
“Is he really ready for first-team matches in the Premier League because the physical difference is so big?
“He probably needs one month to recover the full rhythm. The good thing is he knows his body well, works hard on injury prevention and he is always working after training.
“I should say, also, that I felt in China, he gave exactly the same effort and quality as he gave me four years ago. We had the feeling in China that he could recover a high level with any team in Europe.”
Ighalo’s loan move was certainly unexpected.
His agent Atta Aneke has revealed just how rushed the move was:
"It’s been hectic," Aneke told Aftenposten. "I talked to Manchester United’s top boss [Ed Woodward] for a few days in advance.
"It was quiet on Thursday, and then I got the impression that nothing would happen. Suddenly, in the middle of the day on Friday, things started to move. It was then at 11’clock in the evening in Shanghai.
"It was hectic phone business. Everyone had to stay awake until five or six in the morning in Shanghai."
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is pleased with his arrival, telling reporters at Old Trafford: "He is a striker, has a physical presence and is a goalscorer so he will give us a lot.
"You would be thrilled when you have been a Manchester United supporter your whole life and you’ve been working your whole life.
"Being the top scorer in the African Cup of Nations tells you a lot about the qualities we are going to get.
"He’s a different type of striker. He’s a proven goalscorer, physical presence. It also gives us a chance to rest Mason Greenwood and to rest Anthony Martial at times with so many games coming up."
Ighalo will have to wait until after the winter break to make his first appearance for the Red Devils.
United’s next game is at Chelsea in a fortnight as the battle to finish in the top four intensifies.
Solskjaer will hope he hits the ground running as they bid to secure Champions League football for next season.
