Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes Odion Ighalo has provided the Red Devils with a completely different option when compared to the likes of Anthony Martial and Daniel James. The Nigeria international made the loan switch from Shanghai Shenhua during the closing stages of the January transfer window and he has since made a good impression with four goals and one assist in all competitions.

Ighalo has hardly featured in the Premier League during this period but he has caught the eye with the performances in the Cup competitions. Speaking on Premier League productions, Hargreaves heaped praise on the Red Devils’ winter signing and feels Ighalo has changed the outlook of United’s attack as he has acted as the focal point like Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud.

He told: “Odion Ighalo is a completely different option because if you think of Anthony Martial and Daniel James they want to run down the channels, they don't want the ball on their feet, they want to run behind but Ighalo is a different striker. Ighalo wants the ball at his feet. He wants to be the focal point like Olivier Giroud at Chelsea. Even for the second goal (against Man City), he held the ball and brought others into play which Scott McTominay scored from. I think he has brought something different to the team and is different from others. He is a Man United fan.”

Apart from Ighalo, Bruno Fernandes was the other signing for the Red Devils during the recent transfer window and the Portuguese has been a huge success. Unlike Ighalo, the 25-year-old has been a regular from the number 10 role in the Premier League and he has already made an impact with three goals and two assists from five top-flight appearances. He has also impressed in the Cup competitions with a couple of assists but most importantly, his arrival has improved the team’s creativity in the final third of the pitch.