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25 Mar 2020 11:41:28
The world is a dark and uncertain place currently. So, let's discuss something a little lighter.

Odion Ighalo has been a breath of fresh air, he offers us something different and according to several sources been a positive influence on the dressing room.

So do we sign him permanently for the reported 15m deal that we have lined up? Or do we look to sign someone else?

The positives of signing Ighalo are that he is already settled, wouldn't take a significant amount of time to negotiate a deal, would be relatively cheap, wouldn't block Greenwood long term.

The negatives are that he hasn't yet proven himself for more than a few games, his age means we are only likely to get 2-3 years service from him. Then for some people he will lack the superstar pulling power, while some might prefer we sign someone to oust Martial and be genuinely first choice which Ighalo isn't likely to do.

For me it really comes down to what we do with Martial? As the question of whether Martial is going to be first choice or not will ultimately dictate whether we sign a genuine world class striker to replace him, or a top quality back up striker.

This season Martial has scored well when fit, but without fully convincing. He never leaves you with a feeling he gave his all and did everything possible to win the game. Which is fine when we win 2 or 3 nil, but in those games we lose or draw people will always question whether we might have got a different result if we had a striker who worked harder or made more gambles with making runs.

However, his recent performances have shown more application, and maybe with more reliable passes coming from midfield (Bruno) maybe Martial will make more of those runs and score more goals.

Personally I think Martial has shown just (literally by the skin of his teeth) ability and application to be given the chance to lead the line next season with more creative players behind him. Martial along with Greenwood who with a full season under his belt (one where he has scored 12 goals in 15 starts) offer pace and very lethal finishing. Maybe adding someone with experience like Ighalo could offer us a back to goal work horse striker who could help round off the younger two strikers games.

Add to this that very few top level strikers are available, and those that are cost a lot and are difficult deals to get over the line. Kane for example would be 120-150m at least, Martinez has only had one good season and looks set to sign for Barcelona. Aubamanyang is a possibility but we have got our finger burned signing 29 year old forwards from Arsenal in recent years. He is only a year younger than Ighalo but would be 4 or 5 times the cost in both fees and wages.

Then consider that this summer with the current world situation means deals will be extra difficult to complete. There is concern from clubs that throwing large sums of money around when many people will have lost their jobs and be under extreme financial difficulty might seem crass or provide backlash on those clubs. Also how much money clubs have to spend might be reduced if the season isn't completed with a reduction in TV money. While movement of people will be difficult, there might still be restrictions on international movement. Thirdly, most clubs work on a sell a player and bring in a replacement, this might take longer to sort out with clubs maybe being more restricted about where they can bring players in from and finding a suitable replacement will likely take longer. Finally with domestic seasons possibly being extended there is a issue with many contracts ending in June which will need sorting before incoming transfers.

Personally I think we would be best placed to bring in players from within UK boarders where possible to avoid restrictions or clashing with leagues being extended outside of the UK that could be on going. Therefore signing someone like Ighalo might make sense for many reasons.

Agree6 Disagree0

25 Mar 2020 11:55:27
Ighalo should stay atleast for 1year as along as he accepts bench role.

Unless Martial is sold which is unlikely i don't see any of the strikers linked with utd accepting to sit on the bench.

Martial has improved recently along with the whole team and still there is Greenwood.

Martial, Greenwood and Ighalo are good options with different applications.


The club needs to focus on the Rw, DM, and AM positions especially if Pogba leaves.

25 Mar 2020 14:47:43
Sign ighalo and spend wheres its needed the most - cdm, right wing, cam and a rapid cb.

25 Mar 2020 19:36:53
Keep him. Rashford will be back next season too and if we get Sancho I think we will have a very creative front line.

Sancho would be my priority signing.

Then a DM - Zakaria, Soumare, Neves.

That would be my first 3 signings. Then we would need to look at a new CM if Pogba were to leave and a new CB if we were able to sell Jones and Smalling.

25 Mar 2020 22:36:35
Shappy - I think the re-building of this Utd team is almost complete. I've always maintained we were only 2-3 players away from having a very good team. That being said wether it'll will be good enough to challenge the likes of Liverpool and City remains to be seen.

Fernandes has now given us a creativity and goal threat from midfield we've been sorely lacking and just emphasises how the right player can re-galvanise a team and improve those around them. Fred and Mctominay look capable of forming a solid partnership providing industry and discipline in midfield.

Maguire has stiffened the defence, AWB is defensively one of the best full backs in the league and Shaw finally looks capable of fulfilling his potential. I think we probably need a bit more pace and physicality alongside Maguire however Bailly has looked promising since his return and I still have very high hopes for Tuanzebe.

Rashford and Martial have both shown glimpses of real quality and added a touch more consistency to their game. Ultimately their upper ceiling may just dictate how successful this Utd team will become.

In my opinion a RW should be our next priority signing. We need to bring balance to our attack and we need a consistent presence and threat from the right side. Sancho would appear to be our main target and a front four of Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho and Martial looks a mouthwatering prospect. I know Martial
divides opinion but I think he will be given another season to prove himself.

What we perhaps lack most is strength in depth and maybe it's this that needs to be addressed over the summer. Having said that many of our promising youngsters will be another year older and more experienced.

The world has been turned upside down by recent events and we just don't know what the landscape will look like when football returns.

In answer to your question I think the Club will probably sign Ighalo on a permanent deal. He's settled in quickly and made an immediate impact. He's appears content with a squad role but will fight for his place and has proven he is capable of making an impact when required. He certainly adds depth to our attacking options and gives us something others don't.

Could we see one superstar leave and another arrive in the coming months.

A first 11 of De Gea, AWB, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Mctominay, Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho and Martial isn't too shabby.

I wish everyone the very best in these most unnerving and surreal times. Stay safe guys and look after each other.

26 Mar 2020 11:09:17
I would keep Martial but I wouldn’t rush to offer Ighalo a new contract. He has done really well but it was and should remain a short term fix. The focus should be on bringing someone in who we can rely on for 2 or 3 seasons.

26 Mar 2020 11:15:00
Apparently Ighalo has been offered two years contract worth 400k by his club.

26 Mar 2020 13:06:26
I read that it’s a 4 year deal and think he’d be mad not to take it.

I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen of him since he came to the club and would be happy if he stayed with us next season, but let’s be honest, once Rashford is fit again it’s likely that he’ll be a bit part player for us.

When it comes to players over 30, we seem very reluctant to offer more than 2 year contracts.

If it comes down to choosing between being a superstar in China and earning more than £80m over the next 4 seasons or earning just over £12m while barely playing for us over the next two seasons, I think he’d be a fool not to take it.

I understand that it was always his dream to play for us and respect that he took a cut in wages to make that happen, but the money being offered by SS could keep his extended family in riches for the next few centuries.

26 Mar 2020 15:58:38
I think we should keep Ighalo unless Harry Kane is a serious possibility. We need strength in depth and Ighalo offers something different. Rotation without weakening the team was one of Fergie's main strengths.

26 Mar 2020 17:07:48
If Ighalo is happy to stay for a year or two i think we should make his loan permanent. Sign Sancho for RW, Van de Beek or Niguez to replace Pogba and Koulibaly to replace Jones and Smalling. A luxury would be that Bellingham kid everyone raves about to replace lingard / perriera.
A dream match day 18 for next season would be:
DDG, AWB, mcguire, Koulibaly, Shaw (or) Williams, McTom, Niguez, Bruno, Sancho, Martial, Rashford. Subs; Ighalo, Greenwood, Fred, Matic, Dalot/ williams, Lindelof, Romero.
Rotate James, Williams, Tuanzebe, garner, Bellingham, Mata, bailly as required.

27 Mar 2020 19:10:12
Sancho will be essential as that would be the first out and out winger the club has had in nearly a decade.

CDM to come in, Zakaria seems to be the name touted.

Ighalo was signed as a short term fix and that's how it should stay. Mertens available on a free and would provide great support to the front three.

If they could add a centre back such as Upamecano who is young strong and quick, I think you would have a top 3 side there. I feel like we might have to wait another year yet to get a complete side. But the below could be a target:

Henderson - De Gea
Shaw - William's
Maguire - Lindelof
Upamecano - bailly
Bissaka - dalot
Zakaria - Matic
Bruno - Fred
Pogba - Mctominay
Martial - James
Sancho - Greenwood
Rashford - (Mertens? )

That's easily a top 4 side with a chance to work through the champions league.

Leaves Jones, Rojo, Smalling, Pereira and Lingard to find a new club though. Fifa transfer market but a boy can dream.





 

 

 
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