Manchester United should be allowed to sign replacement for Ighalo - Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov has reacted to the situation with Odion Ighalo in Manchester United who has been asked by his club to return from a loan deal.

Ighalo joined Manchester United in January on loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua which expires on May 31.

Much of the six months period of the loan deal was disrupted by the lockdown order in the UK due to coronavirus pandemic.

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has, however, revealed that the club is in talks with Shanghai Shenhua on extending his contract.

In reaction, Berbatov stated that the football federation should allow Manchester United to sign his replacement if he eventually leaves Old Trafford.

“United need to know what is happening with him. If they know they will lose him, they need to find someone else to replace him,” he told Betfair .

“If they haven't already found a replacement, they need to find someone quickly, but if he stays his teammates get on well with him and he has PL experience which is a big plus.

“For nine games, if they could come to an understanding and then he can go back, this would be the best option.

“If a team is losing a loan player because of the situation, the federation should allow a team to get someone else because of the situation.

“If Ighalo goes, United should be allowed to get a replacement, they are in a great place going into this final part of the season and they have a great chance of getting top four, but it will be very difficult as no one wants to join for nine games.

“The best scenario is for them to come to an agreement to keep Ighalo for the few games, otherwise they will lose out on a player that can score goals in the race for the top four.”

He also expressed a belief that Ighalo will score more goals if he remains with Manchester United.

“He deserves it, he has done great at United and he surprised many people with how he played in such a short time,” he added.

“I’m sure he wants to stay, but now it's about if the two teams can come to an understanding, but it's also a money factor as they will offer him a lot of money to go back.

“If he stays he will score goals, of that I am sure. In the small-time he was playing, he played the right way and was playing well with team-mates.

“I’m not sure if he was the first option ahead of Martial and Rashford, but when he did play he did a fantastic job. It comes down to if Ole needs his services, or if they find someone else if he stays it's good news.”