Ighalo scores first goal for Manchester United, celebrates in an emotional way

Former Nigerian internal, Odion Ighalo has scored his first goal for Manchester United in their Europa League second leg tie against Club Brugge at Old Trafford.

Recall that Ighalo came on as a substitute for the goalscorer Anthony Martial in the first leg which ended 1-1.

At Old Trafford, the striker who is on loan from Shanghai Shenhua made the starting eleven amd scored the second goal in the 5-0 win against Club Brugge.

The goal which made him the first Nigerian to score for Manchester United saw him celebrate in an emotional way by unveiling a picture of his late elder sister which he had printed on his under shirt.

“The T-shirt is for my late sister,“ Odion told Manchester United website after the game.

“I lost my sister in December. She is very dear to me.

“She was a good United fan too. We hoped for this moment but, now I am at United, she is not here to see what is going on. It is emotional for me. I have promised myself that every goal I score, I will dedicate it to her. She is up there watching me.”

Despite how emotional the moment was for him, Ighalo was still excited that he registered his name on the score sheet.

"It feels great to score because this is what I have longed for,” he said. “Now, it is a dream come true for me.

“I dreamed of this from when I was small, when I was young. Playing for the team and scoring goals means a lot to me. I am going to cherish this moment for all the days of my life.

“Before the game, they all sent me messages [from Nigeria]. They have been waiting for my first goal for United. They have been telling me I am close, I am close, I am close and said hopefully it would be today.

“So I’ve got a goal and I can’t look at my phone now because I have got hundreds of messages from Nigeria, from everywhere, congratulating me. I am very happy for that.

“I am enjoying it here. The lads are great and have helped me settle down so easily, so I am very happy for that.”