Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo declares interest in MLS move

Odion Ighalo - Manchester United - Action shot

Odion Ighalo is interested in a move to MLS, the Manchester United striker told ESPN's Alexis Nunes in an interview released Thursday.


Ighalo is currently on loan with United from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, but that loan is scheduled to expire on January 31, at which point the 31-year-old Nigerian could in line for a change in scenery. Ighalo says a move stateside is something that he's thought about and would be open to.


"Today, I'm in Manchester but at the end of the month I don't know where I'm going to be," Ighalo told Dawson. "If it's possible I'd like to stay here but if not I have to go.


"I have options. I wait for my agent. He is doing his job and I'm doing mine. At the end of the month, we have to decide what is best and we'll take it. If it's possible I'd like to play in MLS but I have to wait to see if it's possible. ...The league is doing well and if the opportunity arises then I'd grab it with two hands."



Ighalo has had a well-traveled professional career, having played in Nigeria, Norway, Spain, China and England. He boasts a proven goal-scoring track record, with 141 goals to his name in 371 appearances across all competitions and also has 16 goals in 35 appearances for the Nigerian national team.


Brought in last January to help the club weather the injury absence of Marcus Rashford, Ighalo scored five goals in 19 appearances in the season run-in and helped United reach the semifinals of the FA Cup and Europa League and finish third in the Premier League, but has seen his minutes dwindle this season, with the arrival of prolific Uruguayan Edinson Cavani making a loan extension seem unlikely.