Man Utd fear losing Odion Ighalo next week as parent club Shanghia Shenua want loanee back

MANCHESTER UNITED fear they will have to wave goodbye to on loan forward Odion Ighalo next week.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would like to extend the Nigerian’s loan spell by a further three months to take in the end of the season.

But his parent club Shanghai Shenhua have so far rejected that proposal – and want him back to start preparations for their new season.

So with the initial deal due to expire at the end of the month, his last day with United will be Sunday – unless there is a late breakthrough.

Ighalo, 30, has made it clear he wants to finish the season at Old Trafford after scoring four goals in eight matches prior to the campaign being stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Red Devils have hit a wall in their attempts to strike an extension with Shanghai preparing a lucrative new contract for the former Watford man worth around £400,000 per week.

And unless the Chinese club are willing to back down, then he looks to have played his last game for the Red Devils.

Sources at United insist there has been no talks of a permanent deal – despite reports that a £20m fee was being discussed.

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The transfer window is currently closed in England and there is no clear indication yet when it will be open for business this year.

And in any case, United’s stance has now changed with Marcus Rashford fit again after a double stress fracture in his back.

Solskjaer would have been happy for Ighalo to have stayed for the final matches of the season – but it now looks unlikely.

United paid a £3 million loan fee to the Chinese club in January and also agreed to pay around £130,000 a week of his wages.