Manchester United took a big step towards the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-0 first-leg win over Austrian side LASK on Thursday in the Round of 16.
Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are also in good shape to progress after coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at Olympiacos.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed January signing Odion Ighalo his third start for the Red Devils against LASK and watched as the 30-year-old sent the Red Devils on their way to victory with the opening goal.
It was a brilliant strike from the Nigerian striker, too. He received a pass from Bruno Fernandes, juggled the ball between his feet and then unleashed a ferocious strike which flew in off the underside of the crossbar
𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 from Odion Ighalo! 🔥🔥🔥
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 12, 2020
💫 Skill of the Day winner 💫#UEL | @UKEnterprise | #UELSOTD pic.twitter.com/LI6bRG4y8D
The goal will strengthen Ighalo’s claim for a place in Solskjaer’s starting XI. The 30-year-old now has four goals from his three starts for his new club. Ighalo also grabbed an assist by going on to set up Daniel James for United’s second. The Wales international rifled an effort into the bottom corner for his first goal in 32 games.
Odion Ighalo has scored in every game he has started for Man Utd across all competitions:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 12, 2020
✓ vs. Club Brugge
✓ vs. Derby
✓ vs. LASK
Viva. Ighalo. pic.twitter.com/osNfruTrln