MX23RW : Monday, January 25 02:04:55| >> :120:9452:9452:
Jul 19, 2020 at 6pm UK at Wembley Stadium
Man UtdManchester United
1-3
ChelseaChelsea
Fernandes (85' pen.)
Pogba (71')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Giroud (45+11'), Mount (46'), Maguire (74' og.)

Odion Ighalo targets FA Cup final with Manchester United

Odion Ighalo targets FA Cup final with Manchester United
© Reuters
The striker has been a fan of the club since childhood.

Boyhood Manchester United fan Odion Ighalo has set his heart on reaching the FA Cup final with the club.

United take on Chelsea in the semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday and the Nigerian striker is desperate to mark his loan spell at the club by reaching the competition’s showpiece fixture.

“To get to the final would be great for me in my life and my career,” Ighalo, who was on the losing side for Watford in the semi-finals four years ago, told the club’s official website.

Odion Ighalo stands dejected after the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace
Odion Ighalo stands dejected after the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace (Adam Davy/PA)

“I missed out in 2016 and I have the opportunity to now get to the final with the club I’ve supported all my life

“It would make my dreams perfect. It will be tough, but we have what it takes.”

Ighalo’s loan deal from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua has been extended to January 2021 and he said he has unfinished business after his previous Wembley appearance with Watford ended in heartache.

“It was a difficult one to take against Crystal Palace, we lost 2-1 at Wembley,” he said.

“If we’d have won, we’d have played United in the final. Unfortunately, we lost. It was a bitter one to take, but this is an opportunity again in an FA Cup semi-final to make it right and go forward to the final.

“If I’m called to play, I’m going to give all I can to help the team win the game.”

Ighalo has scored five goals in 14 appearances since arriving at Old Trafford in January but has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks following the return to fitness of Marcus Rashford.

“As a professional you have to be ready, you have to have that mental strength to be ready,” the 31-year-old added.

“We train hard to keep fit and I’m always ready when I’m called upon, and I will give 100 per cent. You always have to stay focused.”

United have beaten Chelsea in each of their three meetings this season, winning 4-0 at home in August and 2-0 in February at Stamford Bridge, where they also won 2-1 in October in the Carabao Cup.

“All those games don’t count though,” Ighalo added. “This is a different game which is going to be even tougher without the fans in stadium.

“We have to fight from the first minute until the end. It’s always tough against them, but I think, with the quality and momentum we have now, we are ready to go and to win against any team.”

ID:406988:cQx

Click here for more stories about Odion Ighalo

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Odion Ighalo Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd19124336251140
2Manchester CityMan City18115231131838
3Leicester CityLeicester19122535211438
4Liverpool1997337221534
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1896333171633
6Everton1710252821732
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham199552722532
8Aston Villa1792631181329
9Chelsea1985633231029
10Southampton188552621529
11Arsenal198382319427
12Leeds UnitedLeeds187293034-423
13Crystal Palace196582233-1123
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves196492129-822
15Burnley185491022-1219
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1954101832-1419
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton193882229-717
18Fulham1826101527-1212
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1925121543-2811
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1912161032-225

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!