Odion Ighalo will feature in Manchester United’s FA Cup third round clash against his former club Watford on Saturday.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will rotate his squad for this FA Cup third round encounter at home to Championship side Watford, with the Reds heading into the game on the back of a Carabao Cup semi-final defeat against rivals Man City.
Solskjaer has a number of options in midfield — several of which don’t play as often as they’d like, and I wouldn’t surprised to see Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic start against the Hornets.
For Ighalo, however, this will be one of his final games for the club since his loan deal expires later this month. He will love the fact he’s been given a chance to face his former side in the FA Cup, and I’m sure he’s just happy to have played for one of the biggest clubs in the United under Solskjaer.
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Solskjaer confirmed Ighalo will be involved versus Watford in Saturday’s 8pm kick-off: “Odion, it’s special for him against Watford, he will be involved, he’s in the squad, he’s been training really well, he was the top scorer in round robin we just finished. He’s not lost any of his quality, it’s been difficult for him to be out of the squad as many times because he did really well up until the summer.
“This season he’s not had as many opportunities and not let himself down as a professional and a human being. He’s always a positive influence in the dressing room. Hopefully I don’t need to put him on that we need goals, but hopefully he can join in.”
It doesn’t sound like Ighalo will start the game, which would probably be a step too far because we have better options and it’s a game we need to win. Mason Greenwood needs a start — and I would also give Daniel James a run in the side.
Unfortunately Edinson Cavani will miss out due to suspension. He will return for United’s upcoming Premier League clash against Burnley. A win for the Reds would see us move to the top of the Premier League table.
Let’s hope Ighalo gets a nice send off by scoring a goal or two to put United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Send us your predicted XI to face Watford in the comment section below.
Read more: FA Cup third round preview: Manchester United vs Watford
