Manchester United legend Roy Keane has credited Odion Ighalo for igniting a ‘reaction’ out of Anthony Martial, with the Frenchman getting on the scoresheet in United’s 2-0 Premier League win in the Manchester derby.
Since Ighalo’s arrival in January, Martial has scored in three of their last five league games as he’s stepped up in the absence of Marcus Rashford.
Bruno Fernandes’ inventive free-kick enabled the striker to break the deadlock on the half hour at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Ederson somehow allowing his shot to squirm under his body.
And Keane believes the Nigerian’s presence has pushed Martial to new heights.
Speaking after the game, he told Sky Sports: “You’ve had a reaction as well from Martial.
“Sometimes a new striker comes in, you praise the new striker, but then that pushes the other lads.
“There’s almost been a reaction from Martial, thinking: ‘Oh, I’ve got another player to fight with for my position’. And there’s been a good reaction.”
Ighalo came on in the closing moments of the match and was involved in Scott McTominay’s stoppage-time strike.
Jamie Redknapp was left impressed with his contribution.
He said: “When you’re struggling, you’re hanging on, you want your centre-forward to get hold of the ball.
“Just hold it up and do something special for you. He keeps it alive, it’s a lovely backheel and look what you get at the end of it.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have won three of their four meetings this season against City.
It’s against defensive teams though where they’ve struggled.
Gary Neville feels Ighalo would excel against the so-called lesser teams.
He added: “I think he would do in those type of games because Martial and James aren’t as suited.
“Rashford I’d put into that category as well, when opposition defences do sit deep and they’ve got to be a little bit more cute and they haven’t got the space to run into.
“And Ighalo has good feet, so he would come into play in those types of games, with Juan Mata.”
