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Manchester United prioritise Jadon Sancho signing after sealing Odion Ighalo loan extension

POOL/AFP via Getty Images
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Manchester United still plan to strengthen in attack this summer despite extending Odion Ighalo’s loan deal until January.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to delay his pursuit of a top-class centre forward to focus attention and funds on other targets, such as Jadon Sancho.

The United manager believes the extension for Ighalo has alleviated the need to bring in the striker he has wanted since the sale of Romelu Lukaku last summer.

Erling Braut Haaland, Timo Werner, Moussa Dembele and Harry Kane were all on his wanted list – but with the club being forced to review their spending in the wake of coronavirus, Ighalo represents a cut-price option.

Sancho remains Solskjaer’s dream target – even if United are adamant they won’t meet Borussia Dortmund’s valuation of £100million-plus.

With Jack Grealish and James Maddison also in the Norwegian’s plans as he aims to mount a genuine title challenge next season, he has had to prioritise allocation of funds.

Ed Woodward has promised Solskjaer he will be competitive in the transfer market, with United withdrawing £140m in credit to add to cash reserves of £90m. But that money will also be needed to meet other expenses as the club count the cost Covid-19 – including a rebate to broadcasters of around £20m.

While the signing of a new striker still hasn’t been completely dismissed - with Werner and Dembele being monitored - it’s understood Solskjaer wants to see how Mason Greenwood develops over the next six months. Anthony Martial has also impressed in his first full season as an orthodox No.9.

Greenwood is seen as United’s next superstar after bursting onto the scene in outstanding fashion this term, with 13 goals in 16 starts.

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Solskjaer is determined to manage his development and has mostly used him in a wide right role. But it’s believed he will establish himself centrally as a world class marksman.

Meanwhile, Martial has risen to the challenge of leading United’s line with 16 goals this season, despite missing the best part of two months through injury earlier in the campaign.

Still Solskjaer was concerned about a lack of experienced cover for the France international if Ighalo had returned to Shanghai Shenhua before the end of the season.

While Marcus Rashford’s return from back injury means United’s leading goal-scorer is available again, the England forward’s best performances have come on the left of attack.

Solskjaer’s determination to keep hold of Ighalo is acknowledgement of his desire to bolster options centrally, which is why he made such a concerted effort to sign Haaland in January.

With Ighalo due to return to Shanghai in January and the terms of his agreement including no option or obligation to buy, it means United could again be in the position of needing to sign a striker midway through next season.

That is unless Greenwood has sufficiently developed in his second full year in the first team to step into that void.

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