Odion Ighalo has won Manchester United’s March Goal-of-the-Month award, for his sparkling effort against LASK in the Europa League.
The Nigerian’s driven shot to open the scoring against the Austrians, after some skilled ball juggling in the build-up, took home 32 per cent of your votes in our Official App.
Ighalo narrowly beat off fierce competition from Scott McTominay, whose memorable late goal against Manchester City received 26 per cent. Bruno Fernandes’s first strike from open play for the Reds, at Everton, finished third in the poll with 16 per cent.
Of course, March was cut short due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with the Reds’ games versus Tottenham Hotspur, LASK and Norwich City being postponed.
Although we’re sure United would have registered plenty of further goals should the month have continued as planned, it would have taken something special to beat Ighalo’s strike.
Congratulations, Odion!
Ighalo's award-winning goal, coupled with a later assist for Daniel James in the same game, earned him a place in the Europa League Team of the Week.
After the match, former Reds midfielder Owen Hargreaves compared Odion to an African Premier League great from the past who was renowned for netting incredible goals for Leeds United.
“That is a beautiful goal,”
said Hargreaves. “It is one of the best goals he has ever scored. It was like Tony Yeboah!“
Ighalo is our eighth different Goal of the Month winner this season, and the first player to claim the prize with an effort from the Europa League.
It was his second strike in the competition, following his contribution against Club Brugge in the previous round.
2019/20 GOAL OF THE MONTH WINNERS
AUGUST: James v Southampton (Premier League)
SEPTEMBER: McTominay v Arsenal (Premier League)
OCTOBER: Rashford v Chelsea (Carabao Cup)
NOVEMBER: Williams v Sheffield United (Premier League)
DECEMBER: Greenwood v Newcastle (Premier League)
JANUARY: Maguire v Tranmere (FA Cup)
FEBRUARY: Martial v Watford (Premier League)
MARCH: Ighalo v LASK (Europa League)
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