The goal by Odion Ighalo against Norwich equaled the past of Manchester United. The goal not only helped the Red Devils reach the final four of the FA Cup and set up a clash with Chelsea at Wembley — but it broke a record that has been standing for almost 100 years.
The 31-year-old has now scored against each of Club Brugge, Derby County, LASK, and now Norwich on each of his first four competitive club games, something that has not been achieved by any of Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and hundreds of others.
The Nigerian joins James Hanson in scoring at each of his first four starts, and the latter got his goals way back in 1925.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after the match: “It’s very cool to have the rotation option. Anthony Martial came forward and did some brilliant things, but Odion gives me a chance to rotate. He is a proven goal scorer and has played his part in both games, as well as being a positive person in the locker room.”
“Odion knows how much we appreciate him in and around the dressing room; he’s a goal scorer, a poacher, he’s solid, we can play the ball inside him, he’s turned up for the second and Paul [Pogba] has been found.”
Ighalo enjoyed extending his loan from Shanghai Shenhua until 30 January 2021, after which he reiterated his privilege of representing his boyhood club, and his manager was satisfied with his performances.
He said earlier in the season: “Odion has been doing very well since he came in, and he is enjoying himself. Hopefully, he’ll grow and get better, but he’s got the qualities we’ve seen in him and we’ve needed them so for next season we’ll always need those qualities so let’s see what we’ll do. He’s a goal scorer and a striker, he’s not too concerned about that nonsense; build-up action, of course, that’s a joke. He knows his job and what is his position in the team and he’s a really strong, great connection player with his back to goal. But maybe the best thing about him is his personality because he just does have the whole lot.”
