Odion Ighalo opened the scoring in Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final game against Norwich City on Saturday, extending his fine scoring record for the Red Devils.
After a scoreless first half at Carrow Road, the former Nigeria international handed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men a 51st-minute lead.
Luke Shaw dashed into the hosts’ penalty area, looped a cross onto the penalty area with Ighalo firing past Tim Krul after Juan Mata managed to poke the ball through to him.
That stretched his fine goalscoring run this term, with the ex-Watford man justifying his loan extension from Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua.
This was only his fourth start for United, but he has found the net five times across those appearances.
A deft finish from Ighalo 😘pic.twitter.com/frNbpcWDd1
— Goal (@goal) June 27, 2020
Todd Cantwell cancelled out the goal with his 75th-minute strike as the game went into extra-time.
The 31-year-old was a surprise addition at Manchester United at the end of the mid-season transfer window following Marcus Rashford’s injury worries.
However, his stay was extended to allow him to finish this campaign, with his original spell due to finish at the end of May.
Ighalo has had limited time to make an impression, as he did not make his debut until February 17, with the coronavirus pandemic halting the season a month later.
The 30-year-old made a total of 10 appearances for United across all competitions, four of which were starts, accumulating over 400 minutes on the pitch.
Also, he has created eight chances for his team-mates, which includes his one assist.
No player has scored more than his five goals across all competitions since February 17, and the only forward who matches him in that tally is in fact team-mate Anthony Martial.
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored three, comes the closest.
Solskjaer’s side who are now unbeaten in their last 14 games [with 90 minutes] across all competitions are guests of Brighton and Hove Albion in Tuesday’s Premier League encounter before welcoming Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth on Saturday.
Victory for them in those games would be very crucial as they continue their chase for a place in Europe next term. Currently, they are sixth in the log having accrued 49 points from 31 league outings.
Goal
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