Solskjaer has confirmed that Ighalo will start against his former club, Watford

Manchester United will be hoping to put behind their disappointing mid week game ahead of their FA Cup clash this week.

Recall Ole Gunnar Solskjaer side were knocked out of the Carabao cup after they lost 2-0 to rival Manchester City on Wednesday night in the semi final game of the cup competition.

Manchester City advance and will face Tottenham in the final at Wembley after Spurs had defeated Championship side, Brentford on Tuesday night. 

Solskjaer admitted after the game that his team didn't play well but believes there is room for improvement in other games ahead. 

This weekend, Manchester United will host Watford in the third round of the FA Cup. Watford were relegated from the Premier League last season but will be hoping to hand Red Devils an upset at the Old Trafford stadium. 

Ahead of the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Nigerian striker Jude Ighalo will start the game against his former club.

If you recall that Ighalo broke into the limelight after his amazing three years spell at Vicarage Road before he left for China in 2018.

Ighalo has not played a game for Manchester United since the Paris Saint-Germain defeat in December, besides, the arrival of Edinson Cavani in the summer has seen the forward fall down the pecking order.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the forward will be motivated to face his former club in Saturday. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said in his press conference on Friday: “Odion, it’s special for him against Watford. He will be involved; he’s in the squad. He’s been training really well. I was just saying before, I don’t know how many goals be scored, but he was the top scorer by a mile in round robin we just had in training. So he’s not lost any of his sharpness or his quality.

 

“It’s been difficult for him to be out of the squad as many times of course, because he did really well up to the summer. This season he’s not had as many opportunities, but he’s never let himself down as a professional and a human being."

Although, Ighalo is currently on loan at Manchester United from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. He made the move to Old Trafford which he described as a" dream move" last year. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added that the Nigerian star has been training despite not being selected for Premier League games, but he maintains Ighalo is still a part of his squad. 

 

Ole added: “In training he always works hard and he’s been a positive influence in the dressing room. He’s in the squad and hopefully I don’t need to put him on that we need goals, but hopefully he can join in.”

ABSENTEES 

New Manchester United player, Amad Diallo might not be available after he just arrived at the club from Atalanta. He has been handed jersey number 19.

Also, Uruguayan striker Facundo Pellistri has been ruled out of the game as he has tested positive for COVID-19. He is currently self-isolating. 

Finally, Edinson Cavani is currently serving his final match ban after he was banned for three games and fined 100,000 pounds by the English Football Association fof breaking the code of conduct.

Manchester United vs Watford kick off is 9pm GMT.