Manchester United hero Jaap Stam has admitted Odion Ighalo may find it difficult to adapt at Old Trafford because it is “very different playing for United than smaller teams in the league”.
The January signing, brought in on loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua for six months, made his debut late on in a 2-0 win over Chelsea on Monday night.
Although Ighalo only came on in stoppage time at Stamford Bridge, he had an opportunity to add a third goal for the visitors after being found by Fred but fired straight at Willy Caballero as United had to settle for a 2-0 win.
The former Watford striker made history by becoming the first Nigerian ever to play for United and there has been excitement among the club’s fanbase with the 30-year-old frontman having been a boyhood Red Devils supporter.
Ighalo was notably beaming with pride after full time and will hope to assert himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad, having only trained with the United first team on a number of occasions so far.
“I hope he’s going to surprise people,” Stam told 888Sport. “He played for Watford for quite a while and went to China and he scores goals.
“It might have surprised a lot of people that he went to United but they needed a striker and one with pace and physique who can score goals and he is proven.
“The only thing is it’s very different playing for United than smaller teams in the league but he’s got better players around him who can help him out. We saw that against Chelsea. (AFP)
