Agent describes Man United spell as ‘reward’ for ‘sacrifices’

Matt Stead
Odion Ighalo Bruno Fernandes Manchester United

Odion Ighalo’s agent has described his time at Man United as “a prize” for the “many sacrifices” made throughout his career.

Ighalo joined Man United on a loan deal from Shanghai Shenhua at the end of January and has scored four goals in eight games.

The striker has been such a qualified success that United are thought to be contemplating signing him permanently for £15m when the transfer window reopens.

His agent, Patrick Bastianelli, suggests that the boyhood United fan is being rewarded with a spell at Old Trafford.

“Odion is reaping what he deserves after many sacrifices, after many years around Europe,” Bastianelli told Tuttosport, per Sport Witness.

“Manchester is a prize for everything he’s shown in recent years.”

Bastianelli is also nonplussed unsurprised at how well Ighalo has acclimatised to the challenge of playing for United.

“It’s part of his character, of his great seriousness. He scored many goals,” he said.

“He always has a positive attitude. Odion is a person who always looks ahead, always in a positive way.”

Ighalo is reported to be willing to make a further sacrifice – that of around half his wages – to stay in Manchester.

The Sun suggest that the 30-year-old ‘will happily’ accept a contract worth closer to £100,000 a week than the £240,000 he is guaranteed in China.

Of course he bloody would.