The Nigerian had just secured his dream move, on loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua. And then the world fell down around him.
Ighalo was clearly over the moon with his move to United - he couldn’t wait to get started. It came about at the last minute, after the Old Trafford hierarchy had seemingly exhausted all of their other options.
Inspired
His last spell in the English top flight came more than three years ago with Watford, and he did fairly well but never that good and definitely wasn’t wanted by one of the best sides in the land.
The signing was greeted with mirth and few could see what impact Odion Ighalo would have during his half-season back in England. But within a few games the fairytale had kicked off and the Nigerian was living the dream.
Great Form
Four goals and an assist came in a spell of fantastic form that nobould have predicted. List writers started sharpening their pencils in anticipation of all their ‘most inspired Manchester United signings ever’ articles.
But then it all came crumbling down.
It can be hard to think of footballers through a lense of sorrow but this case deserves a special exception. They are humans too, with hopes and dreams and feelings there to be hurt. They also have ambitions, and Ighalo’s has been crushed.
Crushed
Who knows if United will seek to keep him on after the season resumes. Shenhua might want him back as soon as that loan contract expires, and the Nigerian will be left with an endless source of ‘what ifs’.
He deserves a second chance to make a good first impression and leave a lasting legacy on United and their fans.