Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hails Odion Ighalo as striker nets first Man Utd goal

Odion Ighalo completed his “childhood dream” by firing home his first Manchester United goal last night.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side romped into the Europa League last-16 as they stuck five past 10-man Club Brugge at Old Trafford.

January loan signing and boyhood United fan Ighalo got in on the act with his first goal for the club and then dedicated to his late sister who died in December.

He said: “It is a great moment.

"I have been waiting for this, played three games, though I didn't play much and no goals.

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“A little bit of pressure, but now I got a goal to start my Manchester United goal career and it is a team I have supported since I was young, so it is very good, I am very happy.

“It is a big dream and realising the dream makes it even greater, so I thank God for this and I am very happy.”

Ighalo joined from Shanghai Shenhua as a shock January signing until the end of the season and failed to net in his first three sub appearances.

But on his first start he netted United's second after Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from the spot.

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A Scott McTominay strike and a late Fred double completed the rout as United cruised through 6-1 on aggregate.

United boss Solskjaer said: “As a fellow striker, I know how important that first goal is.

“He sniffs goals, be there where it sometimes hurts and that goal, he sharp in his head and when the ball is played over to Juan Mata he is in the right spot so that's a natural striker.”

United are unbeaten in seven and have now won three of their last five with £47m signing Fernandes in the side.

Solskjaer added: “The form is a combination between many things but they let their shoulders down.

“Go and express and enjoy yourself, Bruno coming makes a big, big difference, what a pass for Odion's goal.”

Anthony Martial was ruled out of the game after picking up a thigh injury in training on Wednesday and he will undergo a scan today.

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