AFCON 2025
Super Eagles legend Odion Ighalo has revealed that he took a pay cut to join his dream club Manchester United.
In a candid interview on Rasheedat Ajibade’s Rash4Christ Podcast, Ighalo shared the extraordinary story of how he took a pay cut to wear the iconic red jersey.
Ighalo, who became the first Nigerian to play for United, revealed that he was willing to sacrifice financially to fulfill his dream.
“I got a pay cut to go to Manchester United, but I didn’t care. I just told my agent, ‘Make the deal work, even if they don’t give me money to play, I just wanna wear that jersey – an ex or current Man United player.’ It was a dream,” Ighalo explained.
Ighalo’s move to Manchester United was completed on a six-month loan deal in February 2020 from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.
Throughout his time at United, Ighalo consistently expressed his deep affection for the club, which he supported since childhood.
His dream of playing for Manchester United became a reality, and he has spoken fondly of his experiences, even after his loan spell ended.
