Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dangled the carrot of a permanent move to Odion Ighalo to join his boyhood club should he impress between now and the end of the season.
This is coming few hours to of a Premier League blockbuster match between the Blues and Reds, with Chelsea hosting United on Monday night.
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Solskjaer’s men are languishing in ninth, but can move to within two points of fifth with a third victory over Chelsea this season.
United have been offered a lifeline in their quest to return to the Champions League next season with Manchester City’s potential two-season ban from European competition meaning fifth in the Premier League could be enough to qualify.
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford will be absent for another few weeks, placing a heavy burden on deadline-day loan signing Ighalo to score the goals that can haul United up the table.
Ighalo has had a far from ideal start to his United career, Skysports reports.
The Nigerian joined up with the United squad for the first time on Sunday after a two-week precautionary quarantine following his arrival from Shanghai Shenua.
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“It’s a loan but when you are in the door here and if you impress it gives you a chance,” said Solskjaer. “That is exactly the same for anyone who signs, if it is permanent or a loan.
“If you impress as a player and as a person, if you can help this group improve, of course there is a chance that we will look at extending things.”