---
title: "Manchester United: Fans gush over Shanghai Shenhua U-turn on Odion Ighalo"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/man-united-fans-gush-shanghai-shenhua-u-turn-odion-ighalo-transfer-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Ward"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-05-29T08:30:07Z"
modified: "2020-05-29T08:30:07Z"
---

# Manchester United: Fans gush over Shanghai Shenhua U-turn on Odion Ighalo

**Shanghai Shenua are open to allowing Odion Ighalo to stay at Manchester United until next January and talks are ongoing over a loan extension, according to [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11996171/odion-ighalo-shanghai-shenhua-open-to-manchester-united-keeping-striker-until-january) via [@utdreport](https://twitter.com/utdreport/status/1265962198209310720).**

Ed Woodward is currently in negotiations with Shanghai to extend Ighalo’s contract, which is set to expire on [Sunday](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11996171/odion-ighalo-shanghai-shenhua-open-to-manchester-united-keeping-striker-until-january).

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11996171/odion-ighalo-shanghai-shenhua-open-to-manchester-united-keeping-striker-until-january) understands that border restrictions may prevent the forward from returning to China in time for the new season. Furthermore, if he is unable to return, they will have to find a suitable replacement.

This is quite a dramatic U-turn from his parent club’s original stance, after [The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ighalos-united-loan-set-to-end-as-shanghai-promise-new-75m-contract-kbbl027w6) reported they had offered him a new deal worth more than £75m spread over four years.

[\[freshpress-poll id=”300957″\]](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/[freshpress-poll%20id=%22300957%22])

The Nigerian was initially brought in to [cover](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51335993) for injured duo Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial but he has shone up until now, scoring [four goals in eight games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/odion-ighalo/profil/spieler/62121) for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.

Although the 30-year-old is yet to score in the [Premier League](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/odion-ighalo/profil/spieler/62121) this season, his workload will no doubt make him a valuable asset to keep on the bench, as he has averaged 2.7 shots, made two key passes and completed 1.7 dribbles per game on average in the Europa League ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/31376/Show/Odion-Ighalo)).

Unsurprisingly, many United fans gushed over Ighalo’s “perfect” transfer update, with one fan tweeting “what a turnaround” in reference to Shanghai’s shock decision and another adding that an extension is a “no brainer” given his performances so far for the club.

Scroll through some of the glowing reactions to the update on the Nigerian:

> News of the day! People who understand football know this will make perfect sense. Sadly, some are obsessed with massive risk silly money signings. Rashford, Martial and Greenwood are progressing beautifully and he is perfect back up. He's proved it. Simples!
>
> — PGP (@Phil\_OneUnited) [May 28, 2020](https://twitter.com/Phil_OneUnited/status/1265965269467435008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> What a turnaround
>
> — 🇨🇵🐐 (@Wilefv1) [May 28, 2020](https://twitter.com/Wilefv1/status/1265962353251811330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Perfect now move on to sancho
>
> — yambo (@yambo85) [May 28, 2020](https://twitter.com/yambo85/status/1265980874023108609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Hopefully he stays and continue’s his good work. He’s one of us and will always give 100% for the club he loves so much. Whether it’s off the bench or as a starter, he has goals in him and will continue to score whenever he’s called upon.
>
> — SALAS (@MrFootball14) [May 28, 2020](https://twitter.com/MrFootball14/status/1265971117254225923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Good deal for both teams
>
> — Jordan Powell (@jordanpow1991) [May 28, 2020](https://twitter.com/jordanpow1991/status/1265962345395871744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Great news if true.
>
> Won’t need to bring in another ST. Can priorities the Sancho signing. Mason will continue to get minutes throughout, wouldn’t be surprised if another ST isn’t warranted in January.
>
> Ighalo stays. Mason continues develop. Win. Win. [pic.twitter.com/W8zuxp7gl4](https://t.co/W8zuxp7gl4)
>
> — . (@StewartLuwawa\_) [May 28, 2020](https://twitter.com/StewartLuwawa_/status/1265963472757633024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I think united should loan him for the season. Not a heavy commitment given his age and he would provide cover and experience to the young frontline . A no brainer in my opinion
>
> — Tope Ajet (@AjetScott) [May 28, 2020](https://twitter.com/AjetScott/status/1265983102075232257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***United fans, do you think the board should sign Odion Ighalo and extend this stay at Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments section!***