Emirates FA Cup: Ighalo’s favour continues with another United goal

Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo continued to impress at Manchester United following another goal-scoring appearance for the club in the Emirates FA Cup.

Ighalo netted an early second-half goal as United laboured to a 1-2 extra time victory over ten-man Norwich City in their FA Cup quarter-final match on Saturday evening. 

After a rather disappointing goalless affair in the opening half of the tie, United found themselves in front when the 30-year-old Nigerian reacted excellently to flick home a loose ball from close range to put the Red Devils a 0-1 lead six minutes after the restart. 

The goal was Ighalo’s fifth for United in just four starts for the club, who he joined on loan in January and has since extended his stay at the club for a further six months. 

However, with 15 minutes to go, a wonderful Todd Cantwell effort from just outside the United box found its way past goalkeeper Sergio Romero to draw Norwich City level before Timm Klose was sent off for the home side with just a minute left on the clock.

Cantwell’s leveller ensured the match would go into extra-time, United continued to dominate the tie but after the first half of extra time, there was still nothing to separate both sides at 1-1.

With penalty shootout approaching, Ighalo was involved in the build-up as United finally found a way with Harry Maguire scoring a decisive winner with two minutes to go. 

United held on for the win to book a place in the semifinal for the third time in the last five years. 

For former Super Eagles forward and 2019 AFCON golden boot winner Ighalo, the fairytale at his boyhood club continues and he will be heading to Wembley with the Red Devils. 

Ighalo has now scored five goals in just nine appearances for United in the 2019/2020 season.