By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo says he joined Manchester United due to his love for the English Premier League side and not because of financial gains.

Ighalo who moved to the former European champions noted that as boyhood fan of the Old Trafford outfit, he plays with his heart anytime he gets the chance to do so.

“I didn’t come here to just play one game or make the money,” the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) highest goalscorer said in the club’s latest podcast.

“I’m a boyhood fan of this team and I came here to play with my heart, to give everything until the day I leave.”

The former Watford hitman, 31, moved to United on loan in January 2020 from Shangai Shenhua, and scored four goals in his first four starts, becoming a fans’ favourite.

His goalscoring feats saw him break a 95-year-old record, becoming the second person after Jimmy Hanson, to find the net in his first four starts for the team.

And the Nigerian believes the support from the fans, particularly in the first six weeks, helped him to quickly settle down to life with the Reds.

“Even today,” the player who began his football career in Nigeria added, I see the same messages from the fans [on social media] which I cherish and I’m happy about.

Ighalo’s initial six months loan deal was extended to January 2021 due to the league’s Project Restart. He had played four times this term for the Red Devils, recalling that being on the pitch at the Old Trafford was “electrifying.”

According to him, “I was going mental” when United scored their second goal in the last Manchester derby, admitting that “was one of the best moments in Old Trafford, for me.” (Channels TV)

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