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Odion Ighalo 'reiterates desire to extend Manchester United loan'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior ReporterPublished: 08 May 2020 4:05 PM

Ighalo 'reiterates desire to extend Man Utd loan'

Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo admits that he "would like to finish the season" at Old Trafford, amid suggestions that he may be recalled by his loan club.

Odion Ighalo has reiterated that he is keen to extend his loan deal with Manchester United until the end of the season.

The Nigerian striker has hit the ground running since arriving at Old Trafford from Shanghai Shenhua on a five-month deal in January, scoring four goals in eight appearances.

However, the Premier League campaign remains suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic and Ighalo could be recalled by his parent club next month.

Ighalo revealed last month that he is waiting to hear about the possibility of staying on at United for longer, but there is still no news of a loan extension.

"I would like to finish the season if it's possible," he told BBC Sport. "I was in good form, good shape, scoring goals and now we've stopped for over a month.

"I've given it my best and hopefully we'll come back to play.

"The team had a good momentum before the pandemic started. At the moment I'm on loan, and this will cut short my time at the club.

"The club, myself, every footballer is going through a lot because we can't do what we love and what we know how to do best, so we're just thinking about that for now and to finish the season before we start thinking about the contract."

Ighalo will reportedly have to take a £200,000-a-week pay cut to join United on a permanent transfer.