Shanghai Shenhua on-loan forward, Odion Ighalo, has said that Manchester United’s English League Cup third-round victory over Luton Town can propel the Red Devils to success against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Ighalo was handed a rare start at the back of a cameo appearance in the defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford as Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood were all on target as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side defeated the Championship side 3-0 at Kenilworth Road.
He was substituted in the 78th minutes for Greenwood and said the confidence from that result would be crucial for the team as they chase their first Premier League win against Graham Potter’s Seagulls after their tie was postponed due to their extended Europa League activities.
“It was a very tough game. We knew, from the start, that we were coming to play a tough side. We are happy we are going through to the next round – that is the most important thing,” Ighalo told Manchester United’s website.
“We’ve not started the league very well, but we’ve won (Tuesday) and I think it’s a boost for this weekend’s game against Brighton. We’ll go there and try to win and start the Premier League (again).”
Crystal Palace Talisman and former United player, Wilfred Zaha grabbed a brace to sting his old club justifying the captain’s armband.
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old insisted United are improving with every passing day.
“We were disappointed at the weekend because we didn’t win the game against Crystal Palace because we only had one week to prepare for that game; I think they had been preparing for four weeks. So it can tell a bit. But, now we’ve won this game, I think it’s a boost for us.”
“It gives us more confidence to go to this weekend’s game. Hopefully, we’ll win this weekend and start on a good note in the Premier League.
“You can see we are getting fitter and everybody’s getting the sharpness. Everyone’s getting the game-time, getting fitter and fitter in every game. Now we go to the next game and have some minutes again and keep getting better and better.”
