Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand admits he was wrong about Odion Ighalo

            Ferdinand during a live chat with fans says Ighalo has warranted a permanent deal.

Odion Ighalo has proved doubters like Rio Ferdinand wrong with his performance at Manchester United (CamaraSport via Getty Images)

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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he was wrong with his concerns over the club’s signing of Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo.

With Manchester United failing to get a top target like Erling Haaland, Ferdinand, as well as a majority of fans, were not enthusiastic about the signing of Ighalo on loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

With four goals in three starts and eight goals in total, Ighalo has proved that Ferdinand was wrong with his skepticism.

"Wow, eight games, three starts in that, four goals and one assist. Ighalo, do you sign him for Manchester United now?" the now TV pundit said in a live chat on his Instagram page.

"All them people that out there that were saying: ‘What are we doing signing Ighalo? What’s going on? What’s Ole thinking?’ – I was one of them, I have to admit it.

"Ighalo’s been in China, the league’s nowhere near what the Premier League is so how’s he gonna get up to speed? Is he gonna be ready straight away? We need somebody to come and make an impact immediately. Coming from China, impossible.

"Well, he’s proved us all wrong. This guy has proved us all wrong. It’s refreshing to see someone who is like a supporter, who is thankful.

“He looks like he’s absolutely delighted to be at Manchester United. He’s been a Manchester United supporter his whole life.

“He looks like he’s saying ‘thank you’ every day he walks up to Ole for giving him this opportunity.

"He’s not someone who says ‘Manchester United are lucky to have me here’ – that’s the vibe I’ve got for a little while and that’s not just United, that’s other clubs as well.

"This boy looks like he’s happy to be here: ‘Whatever you tell me to do I’m gonna go out there and do it to the best of my ability.

“I’m gonna give you 100 per cent every day in training and in matches because I love this club and I want to do right by this club’. I love it.

"It’s shocked me to see what he’s done. Listen, we’re not talking like he’s turned Man United into world-beaters but United needed something and he’s brought it in and given it and that’s all you can ask for.” 

Ferdinand went on to say that Ighalo’s performance has warranted an opportunity for him to sign a permanent deal. 

Odion Ighalo has scored four goals so far for Man United (Twitter/Odion Ighalo)

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"And I think he’s warranted the opportunity to come in as a full-time player and what he’s given Manchester United which they didn’t have is someone they can pass the ball into and can hold it up, he’s got a physical presence, he can hold off a defender or two and lay the ball in for someone else to score,” the former England international also said. 

Ferdinand believes Ighalo can have an impact on Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James in training.

"Rashford, when he’s fit, will appreciate playing with someone like this,” Ferdinand added.

"He can have the impact of the Rashfords, on the Martials, on Daniel James etc. that someone like Henrik Larsson can have on the likes of [Wayne] Rooney and [Louis] Saha when he was there.

"That little bit of experience. He’s got something that’s different to all the other guys in the team and you need that sometimes.”

Manchester United according to a report is set to splash £15m on Ighalo.