Talk about making an immediate impact.
When Odion Ighalo arrived late on deadline day on a season-long loan, few could surely have predicted the kind of electric start the Nigerian would make at Manchester United.
After finding the back of the net once again against LASK in the Europa League, the former Watford man has taken his tally to four goals in just eight games – what perhaps makes it even more impressive, is that his strikes have come in just 318 minutes of total action (just over three-and-a-half full matches).
Watch Manchester United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
It’s the kind of record that naturally will prompt speculation and discussion about whether Ighalo is deserving of a longer-term deal rather than just the loan that he is currently on.
And that is where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must ensure he takes a step-back, and refuse to get carried away.
Being a self-confessed United fan, there is no doubt going to be a close connection between Ighalo and the Red Devils supporters. He may not have been born in Manchester, but he is certainly one of their own.
But the harsh reality of it, is that the 30-year-old still doesn’t represent the kind of quality that can fire United back to where they want to be: competing for the Premier League and Champions League.
The ceiling on how good he can get is incredibly limited given his age, and it’s rather unsurprising that despite his goal-scoring touch, Solskjaer has only trusted him to play 30 minutes of Premier League football in total.
In his time in the top-flight for both United and Watford, he has managed just 17 goals in 59 games (worse than a goal every three matches). The Red Devils have to be objective about things, and target players in the elite bracket this summer to really make a statement of intent.
It would be quite the fairy-tale story if Ighalo were to have his move made permanent. But fairy-tales aren’t real, and United really must stop themselves from clinging to a dream where the Nigerian could have a significant long-term future at the club.
Meanwhile, this Man Utd star stole the show against LASK.