Odion Ighalo entered the Manchester United record books on Saturday and became only the second player in the club’s history to score in each of his first four competitive starts following his strike in the 2-1 win against Norwich.

The Nigerian forward has been a big hit since signing on loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January, scoring five goals and creating one assist in all competitions.

He has particularly impressed in the cup competitions, and his strikes in his four starts against Club Brugge, Derby, LASK and Norwich see him equal the record set by Jimmy Hanson in 1925, according to Opta.

It means Ighalo could break the record in the next game he starts, which could be against Brighton on Tuesday, although he has yet to score in the Premier League. 

Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in his first three starts against Leicester, Bournemouth and Southampton in the 2016-17 season, but then failed to score in the 1-0 win over Hull. 

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was clearly delighted with Ighalo’s goal against Norwich, which set them on their way to a late victory in extra time.

Speaking after the game, he said: “He’s a proven goalscorer and played his part in both goals. He is a great person to have around the dressing room too.

“Odion knows how much we value him in and around the dressing room; he’s a goalscorer, a poacher, he’s strong, we can play the ball into him, he showed for the second and Paul [Pogba] found him.”

United will discover their opponents for the semi-final of the competition on Sunday evening, and will no doubt fancy their chances of winning their first piece of silverware under Solskjaer given their fine recent form.

source:- mirror