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Ighalo is only Man Utd’s seventh African player in history… but how did others get on and can you remember them?

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ODION IGHALO is set to become the first Nigerian to play for Manchester United - and the seventh African overall.

The Red Devils' previous selection from the continent has certainly been a mixed bag and includes a number of flops.

 Odion Ighalo was a surprise deadline day arrival from China
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Odion Ighalo was a surprise deadline day arrival from ChinaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

But there are also plenty of promising examples for Ighalo to follow during his six-month loan switch from Shanghai Shenhua.

Here, SunSport details how the other African players to get a chance in the United first-team fared.

QUINTON FORTUNE (1999-2006)

Unlike Ighalo, South African midfielder Fortune never played club football on his home continent and arrived at United in 1999 for £1.5million.

A youth career at Tottenham, Mallorca and Atletico Madrid led him to Manchester, where the Cape Town native helped win a Premier League title.

 Quinton Fortune played only nine times in the league-winning 02/03 campaign
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Quinton Fortune played only nine times in the league-winning 02/03 campaignCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

With 126, Fortune remains the African with the most appearances for United by some distance and is now back as an Under-23 coach.

But it could have been more and injuries were his biggest regret upon retirement, telling the BBC: "They were frustrating. When I was at United I had many injuries so that's a regret."

ERIC BAILLY (2016-present)

Another man who has found his time at Old Trafford hampered by injuries is central defender Bailly.

The 25-year-old is yet to appear in 2019/20 after only 18 outings last season, owing to knee and ankle problems.


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United handed over £30million when bringing the Ivory Coast international in from Villarreal.

And his best spell of form so far came under Jose Mourinho as he became a consistent fixture in the team that won the Europa League and League Cup.

ERIC DJEMBA-DJEMBA (2003-2005)

One of the most interesting stories of the club's transfer past is how little-known Nantes midfielder Djemba-Djemba fared after costing £3.5m in 2003.

Deemed a potential successor to Roy Keane, the Cameroon ace played just 39 times in two years, almost half of which came in the cups.

 Djemba-Djemba (left) celebrates with fellow flop David Bellion
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Djemba-Djemba (left) celebrates with fellow flop David BellionCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Divorced dad-of-four Djemba-Djemba was later declared bankrupt, telling SunSport: "When I came to England, my wages were paid as net. It was my agent at the time who needed to pay tax on that, but I didn’t know. It fell on me and I ended up with a debt.

"I was also naïve. I helped a lot of people in my country, in France, helping friends and giving them money. If I had made that kind of money today, I would do it differently. I’m more mature."

MAME BIRAM DIOUF (2009-2012)

Manchester United had a decent record in signing strikers from Norwegian club Molde when Senegalese youngster Diouf turned up.

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted at the time that his plans were hastened when rival bidders came in for the striker but, after a brief loan spell at his old side, Diouf emulated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's move in early 2010.



A memorable first goal against Burnley in his first weeks at Old Trafford set him on his way but the presence of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and a young Danny Welbeck proved too big an obstacle.

Struggles during a loan at Blackburn emphasised that he was not ready for the Premier League and he left for Hannover, finding his way to current club Stoke.

WILFRIED ZAHA (2013-2015)

One of United's biggest transfer market misses in recent years comes in the form of Ivory Coast winger Zaha.

Costing £15m and debuting in August 2013, much was expected of the Crystal Palace prodigy but played just four times before being loaned out six months later.

 Zaha signed for United when Fergie was in charge - but he got David Moyes
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Zaha signed for United when Fergie was in charge - but he got David Moyes

A disappointing stint at Cardiff led him back to Palace, where the Eagles paid a mere £3m up-front to secure his second permanent stay.

Zaha later pointed the finger at manager David Moyes, telling SunSport: "I signed for Ferguson and expected him to be the manager. For some games I was not even on the bench. That was tough. You need the manager to trust you and that was not the case."

MANUCHO (2008-2009)

Not many clubs make their signings from Angola so United's decision to snap up unknown striker Manucho in 2007 raised many eyebrows.

Fan excitement grew after he hit four goals at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations yet he was kept back by work permit issues, forcing him on loan to Panathinaikos.

Finally given a crack at the United team the following season, Manucho played just once before being shunted out again on loan and then sold.

Now 36, he was last seen turning out for Spanish regional team UE Cornella.

New Man Utd loanee Odion Ighalo has scored some great goals for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua
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