Exclusive: Odion Ighalo reflects on his time at Watford and Manchester United

Odion Ighalo has scored goals wherever he’s played, including 36 for Premier League returnees Watford and five for title-chasing Manchester United.

When the Nigeria international first joined Watford in 2014, the club was still playing in the Championship.

He quickly rolled up his sleeves and got to work, forming a terrific partnership with Troy Deeney, the club’s long-standing captain, and together they brought Premier League football back to Vicarage Road Stadium.

After a season and half in the top flight with the Hornets, Ighalo left for China only to return to Manchester United three years later.

The now Al Shaba forward spoke exclusively to LondonWorld about his time with the Hornets, coming back to the Premier League - to play for the club he supported as a child in Nigeria - and the chaotic lives of footballers.

What’s your relationship with the Watford fans at the moment ?

Odion Ighalo: “I would say perfect. They received me when I first arrived in English football and they gave me a home and the chance to show what I can do in the Premier League.

“I remember when I first signed, the club was in the Championship and my family had just moved to England.

“Everything was so new but they supported us and made us feel at home. So yeah that was really good.

“They were really kind that they’d give us gifts.

“Even when I go to Instagram now I see “Ighalo come back to Watford”, which is always nice.”

You looked happy and then suddenly left, how did that all happen?

“That is how life is and the nature of our profession. I was really enjoying my game so much that in the previous seasons there were offers to leave but I stayed on.

“When the offer from Changchun Yatai came, it was a good offer for all involved including the club, myself and my family so I took it.

“I’m glad I took it and it turned out to be a good choice for all involved.”

Watford were relegated to the Championship a couple of seasons ago, but they are back now, how do you feel about that ?

“I’m so happy for my friends there, especially Troy [Deeney], with whom I shared so many good times.

“The Premier League for me is the best league in the world and so the more you have good players the better your chances of survival.

“Clubs like Watford are so important in the football pyramid, they give opportunities, and they represent the communities in a way that is not spoken about enough.

“When they went down it broke my heart because I know so many wonderful people there, the staff at the training ground, some of the non-playing staff and all the hard-working people who work in the background.

“But I knew they would return swiftly as they kept some really good players.

“Speaking to some of the guys they were confident that if they got the right manager they would make a quick return so in the end they were right and got back before anyone could blink.”

You fulfilled a childhood dream when you played for Manchester United, how did that all happen?

“Thinking about it now, I feel like God had it all planned for me. I was enjoying my game and was doing well in China so when my agent told me about Barcelona’s interest in the previous window, I told him to give me time to think about it.

“I didn’t really feel it was the best for me from the financial point of view, but when United came knocking I couldn’t wait.

‘It’s nothing against Barcelona but everyone knows I was always roaming the streets playing football in a Manchester United jersey, so I wasn’t even looking at the financial package. I just wanted to tick the box and fulfil a dream that I had held when I left home to start my journey.

“There are a lot of things that go through a player’s mind when signing for a club, especially if you come from where I come from. But the chance to play for such a big club like Manchester United is just magic. You just feel like you’re living as a child and the smiles make you appreciate how far you’ve come.”

How far can United go this season ?

“If you saw the way they ended the season you’ll know that the team is going places. I mean I have been lucky enough to have played there and I saw what the manager was trying to do, and I’m sure the fans will see the results this season.

“They were unlucky in the Europa League final but normally situations like that make you go the extra mile and win big.

“They did not have the luck but with what I saw whilst there it won’t be long before the luck returns, and they start winning big again.”

Are we going to see you in the Premier League again at some point ?

“You never know because things happen so fast in the world of football. I’m very happy where I am at the moment but things could change in a short period of time and a offer that is too good to turn down could pop up.

“It’s always important to enjoy the moment we have and not lose focus because you’ll never be happy if you spend all your time thinking about what could happen in the future.”