On January 31st, 2020 United completed an eleventh hour loan move for Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo. Since then, there’s been no shortage of criticism of United’s transfer strategy… or lack there of.
Now, don’t get me wrong… I want Ighalo to succeed at Manchester United. Ole wanted a striker that was willing to “break their nose to score a goal,” and I think Ighalo fits the bill.
Ighalo, now 30, has been an United fan since he was a boy. There’s no question in my mind that he will leave it all out on the pitch for the club when he makes his debut. It’s definitely the feel good story we want a happy ending to…
That being said, the Ighalo move highlights the gross incompetency of United’s management. Erling Haland, a generational talent who was linked to Old Trafford for months, was signed (and announced) by Borussia Dortmund on December 29th, 2019, a few days before the transfer window opened.
After that, United had no back-up plan whatsoever to provide goal scoring depth to a suffering roster, riddled with injuries. How can anyone call United “the biggest club in the world” if we continue to whiff on big signings and have no back-up plan.
As highlighted on the Podcast (subscribe and rate!)… you don’t see clubs like Bayern, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and a league leading club “who-shall-not-be-named”… having these problems.
United’s ambitions to compete at the top level are right to be questioned. I don’t blame Pogba in the slightest for considering “new challenges” with other top clubs. I don’t blame ex-players, fans, etc. for protesting and criticizing management. I don’t blame Haland for passing on an Old Trafford move because Dortmund has higher aspirations.
Standards have significantly fallen at Old Trafford, and it was highlighted yet again in the Ighalo loan.
United’s next match isn’t until 2/17, with a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on the Blues, giving some rest to our fatigued squad.
While Ighalo’s role has yet to be determined… I hope he scores, I hope United win, and I hope to be singing “kickin a blue” while United inch closer to securing a Top 4 spot for next season.
But…until United’s incompetent, uninspired bureaucracy changes, we will continue to struggle in future transfer windows and can forget signing stars with the caliber of Sancho, Maddison, etc.
Drain the swamp! #GlazersOut #SackWoodward
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