Former Nigeria international striker, Odion Ighalo has revealed that he has yet to receive an offer from Manchester United over a permanent deal.
The striker joined United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January, with the temporary deal set to expire at the end of June.
Despite having fared rather well so far – he has scored four goals in eight appearances for United – Ighalo is uncertain where he will be playing next season.
Ighalo, a boyhood United fan, says that God will direct him over his future.
He told Elegbete TV: ‘There is no offer on the table yet.
‘Because the season is still on and I’m yet to finish my loan deal. I don’t just take decisions alone in my life. I have a principle and I have a guideline for everything I do. I always pray to God to direct me.
‘I have seen so many tweets about this. I have seen so many people going crazy, (saying) ‘go back to China’, some say stay with Man United.
‘Have you seen me say a word? I don’t have anything to say. When the season’s finished and I get two offers from the two teams, then I will sit and think about it, pray about it and whatever God says I should do, I will go with that.’
Ighalo insists that he isn’t taking notice of what anybody says about his future and says that he is in no rush to make a decision.
The former Watford striker insists that he wants to complete his loan spell at United amid confusion as to when the season will end.
He said: ‘I don’t just sit down and take decisions, and I don’t get carried away with whatever people say. I came to Manchester United to play for a pay cut because I wanted to.
‘So anything could happen, but I want the season to finish and my loan to finish. Then I will see everything I have.
‘You don’t just rush and do things: ‘I’m going here, I’m going here’. I have to sit down and finish the season well, sit down with my agent, see what’s on the ground: A, B, C, D, is on the ground. Okay we have to pick.’
Ighalo will hope to have done enough to earn an extended stay at United, but much could well depend on the club’s recruitment plans this summer.
The 30-year-old represents a useful alternative option to the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, but may receive more playing time elsewhere.
Ighalo’s current contract at Shanghai Shenhua is set to run until the end of December 2021.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi