Ole Gunnar Solskjaer assesses Odion Ighalo's first start for Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims Odion Ighalo has a nose for goal after he scored his first for Manchester United and dedicated it to his late sister.

Ighalo netted United’s second on his full debut against Club Brugge and pulled up his shirt to reveal a picture of Mary Atole, who died suddenly in December at her home in Canada.

The on-loan Nigerian striker has been left heartbroken by her death aged 43 and has her name on his boots.

Solskjaer started Ighalo after Anthony Martial suffered a knee injury in training, and the United boss is delighted he is off the mark after he was criticised for signing him from Shanghai Shenhua.

“I think as a striker, a fellow striker, I know how important that first goal is,” said Solskjaer after United won 5-0 on the night to progress 6-1 on aggregate.

Odion Ighalo lifted his shirt to reveal a tribute to his sister as he celebrated scoring on his full Manchester United debut (Getty Images)

“He sniffs goals. He knows to be there where it sometimes hurts. For that goal, he was sharp in his head.

“The ball was played over to Juan Mata and when Juan puts it there on the six-yard line, that’s natural for a striker to be there.”

Bruno Fernandes impressed again - the £47million January signing from Sporting Lisbon scored the first from the penalty spot and had a hand in two more.

“Bruno coming makes a big, big difference,” said Solskjaer. “What a pass for Odion’s goal, and what a good goal Odion’s was.

Ighalo netting United's second after being set up by fellow goalscorer Bruno Fernandes (2020 Getty Images)

“I’m very happy with Odion’s contribution up front, doing what he does.

"He’s got Juan and Bruno next to him. Bruno is fit and in good form. We felt he was something we needed and that’s been proved. We had a ready-made position for him.

“I’m very happy tonight. It was a brilliant start. We had the right intent and created loads of chances. When they went down to 10 men, the game was more or less over.”

Fred scores his second against Club Brugges, having minutes earlier netted his first goal for United since September 2018 (Getty Images)

Fred netted twice to register his first goals since September 2018, and Solskjaer joked he had thought he would die before he scored again.

“I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be alive the next time he scored a goal, right or left,” he said. “It’s been an ongoing joke between us of course, but he got his goals and I’m very pleased with him.”