Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo is looking forward to Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea, reports Completesports.com.
Ighalo missed the chance to play in the final in 2016 during his time with Watford.
The 31-year-old was part of the Hornets team which narrowly lost out to United’s final opponents, Crystal Palace in the last four.
“Everybody wants to play against teams like Chelsea, big teams, and
play well against them and, most of all, playing at Wembley and, you
know if you win, you’re in the final. So, of course, it’s going to give you
more to want to fight hard and make sure you give everything to win
the game,”Ighalo told the club’s official website.
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“To get to the final would be great for me in my life and my career. I
missed out in 2016 and I have the opportunity to now get to the final
with the club I’ve supported all my life. It would make my dreams
perfect. It will be tough but we have what it takes.
“We have beaten them three times this season I think, one in the
Carabao Cup and two in the league, and we’re playing them now in the
semi-final. All those games don’t count though.
“This is a different game which is going to be even tougher without the fans in
stadium. We have to fight from the first minute until the end. It’s
always tough against them but I think, with the quality and
momentum we have now, we are ready to go and to win against any
team.”
It was Ighalo’s opener in the quarter-final clash at Norwich last month
which set United on our way to reaching the last four.
Since then, the Reds have been in free-flowing goalscoring form and Ighalo says he is
both enjoying seeing his fellow forwards in such fine fettle and is
training hard to ensure he is ready whenever he may be needed to
support them in attack.
“They are doing so well,” he said, when asked about the recent goal
exploits of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.
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“Seeing them playing every week is a joy. Rashford has come back
from his injury and is doing well. Martial is scoring goals, Mason
Greenwood is unbelievable, he is such a good finisher with both feet.
“The team is doing well and the three forwards are scoring goals and
that’s what we need – goals win games. And I don’t forget Bruno
[Fernandes] with the assists and goals too. I think the mentality is
getting stronger every time.
“As a professional, you have to be ready, you have to have that
mental strength to be ready,” he continued. “We train hard to keep fit
and I’m always ready when I’m called upon, and I will give 100 per
cent. You always have to stay focused.”
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