United dealt blow in race to extend Ighalo loan

Manchester United's Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo scores his team's second goal during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Derby County and Manchester United at Pride Park Stadium in Derby, central England on March 5, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United have been dealt a significant blow in their attempts to extend Odion Ighalo’s loan.

Parent club, Shanghai Shenhua are reportedly demanding that Ighalo returns to China at the end of his loan spell which is due to expire as early as next week.

According to the Daily Mail, United’s last ditch efforts to retain Ighalo for at least the remaining domestic league games appear to have been scuppered.

Shanghai are set to recall Ighalo to their squad in time for the beginning of new Chinese Super League season, which they are well within their rights to do. It’s a new campaign and they are bound to take back one of their best players unless we buy him outright.

Despite reports that Shanghai would be willing to accept a bid in excess of £20mil for the striker, it is believed, no official bid has been made for the 30-year old striker.

It does now seem that unless United can convince the Chinese outfit to reconsider their stance, cult hero, Ighalo, has played his last game for his beloved United.

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