Solskjaer will sign on-loan forward permanently if he manages to impress

Premier League giants Manchester United are reportedly open to signing Odion Ighalo permanently if the striker manages to impress during his loan spell from Shanghai Shenhua. 

The former Watford striker arrived at Old Trafford on the transfer deadline day last month in a shock loan move as the Red Devils desperately searched for a number nine. 

Star forward Marcus Rashford is currently sidelined with a back injury while Anthony Martial has not managed to particularly impress. 

The Frenchman has just eight Premier League goals to his name this campaign and it was hardly a surprise to see the Red Devils desperately wanting a new number nine. 

Despite only signing a loan deal until the end of the season, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Ighalo he can earn himself a permanent move if he manages to impress on the pitch. 

Solskjaer said: "It's a loan, but when you're in the door - and if you impress - it gives you a chance. That's exactly the same for everyone who signs. 

"If it's permanent or if it's a loan, if you impress as a player, if you impress as a person, if you can help this group improve, of course there's a chance we'll look at extending things and signing. 

"That doesn't just go for Odion but, since you asked, yes, his incentive is to play as well as he can and it's up to us to make sure he wants to stay, if we want him," he further added.

The Red Devils parted ways with both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan this summer and decided not to bring in a replacement and that decision has seemingly cost the manager dearly. 

The Norwegian confirmed Sanchez will return to Old Trafford next season, but after finally securing the signing of Bruno Fernandes last month, a goalscorer was top priority before the January sales ended.

They failed in moves to bring in former Red Devil Josh King and former Liverpool striker in-form Danny Ings but Solskjaer insisted Ighalo was not signed out of panic. 

He explained: “Don't go down that route now. He's a loan player that we're very happy with having here. Hopefully he'll prove to you what I think he will. He's a proven goalscorer, so he'll do all right.”

Featured Image Credits - BBC