Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left the door open for Odion Ighalo to earn a permanent contract with the club when his loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua expires in the summer.
The striker could make his United debut when we face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night [Monday] and the manager has challenged the Nigerian to make his mark during his time with the Reds.
“It’s a loan, but when you’re in the door and if you impress it gives you a chance,” said Solskjaer at his pre-match press conference.
“That’s exactly the same for everyone who signs if it’s permanent or it’s a loan. If you impress as a player, if you impress as a person, if you can help this group improve, then, of course, there’s a chance that we’ll look at extending things.
“That doesn’t just go for Odion, but since you asked, yes, of course, his incentive is to play as well as he can. And it’s up to us to make sure that he’d want to stay if we wanted him.
“I think he’s probably pinching himself at times because he’s now at his favourite club at the age of 30.
“Hopefully he’ll prove to you what I think he will. He’s a proven goalscorer, so he’ll do all right.”