Man Utd Loanee Odion Ighalo Makes Personal Plea To Shanghai Shenhua

Odion Ighalo has made a personal plea to Shanghai Shenhua to let him finish the season at Manchester United before returning to China.

The 30-year-old’s loan deal at Old Trafford expires on Sunday and so far talks to extend it between United and the Chinese Super League side have failed to provide a resolution.

Ighalo is desperate to finish the season with the club and has asked Shanghai Shenhua to allow him to stay put until United’s campaign is completed.

The former Watford striker is aware this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the club that means so much to him.

Confidence is growing in Ighalo’s camp that a deal to extend the loan may yet be struck before Sunday’s expiry, with talks described as “much more positive” than they had been.

While Shanghai Shenhua would prefer to sell Ighalo on a permanent deal if they are to allow the Nigerian to stay at United, United have made it clear they are not interested in a transfer.

With the CSL season edging closer to a start date, with the end of June or start of July mentioned as potential targets, Shanghai Shenhua had been keen to get Ighalo back.

But the striker’s camp are hoping that his personal request to his CSL employees to be allowed to complete the season at a club where he is loving the experience of playing could have an impact on his short-term future.