Nigerian star Odion Ighalo makes crucial statement over how Man Utd manager Old Gunnar Solskjaer treated him

- Odion Ighalo who joined Manchester United in January 2020 has departed the club

- The former Nigerian international has signed for Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab

- Ighalo says he is not upset with United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over lack of playing time

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Nigerian star Odion Ighalo has disclosed that he felt frustrated to be rooted to the bench at Premier League club Manchester United.

He however stated that he is satisfied with the manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer despite that the tactician didn’t hand him enough playing time at the Old Trafford.

Ighalo who has officially joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al Shabab - and in an interview with Brila FM, Ighalo stated that he would have loved to remain with the Red Devils, but was not handed contract renewal.

Despite his lack of playing time, the Nigerian international said that he holds no grudges with the Norwegian tactician.

Ighalo, 31, scored five goals in 23 appearances across all competitions for United after arriving on Deadline Day last January, but made only two starts this season since Edinson Cavani joined in October.

The 31-year-old ex-Shanghai Shenhua star left Manchester United earlier in the week and he was due to immediately return to his Chinese side before he was snapped up by the Saudi side.

He said:

“There were frustration”and often times pain. I would have stayed at Manchester United if I was offered a new contract and guaranteed game time.

“Every player wants to play, but I always respect my coach. I’m a hard worker in training and in actual game situations, it’s painful though, but the decision is not yours as the footballer.

“No player wants to be on the bench particularly when you know you are fit or even better than those selected ahead of you.

“But, I respect Ole he was really good to me and gave me the chance to live my dream. I can’t feel bad or hold any grudge.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Paul Pogba appears to be in good books of Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he has featured consistently in the last set of matches for the Red Devils.

The Frenchman has disclosed that he hates being benched which was responsible for agent Mino Raiola’s call for his exit at the Old Trafford club.

Following their home loss to Tottenham on October 4, Pogba was dropped to the bench and had missed a couple of matches before his agent raised alarm that the player’s time at the club was over.