Odion Ighalo Dedicates First Manchester United Goal to Late Sister

Odion Ighalo dedicated his first Manchester United goal to his sister, who passed away in December aged just 43.

The January signing scored United's second in their convincing 5-0 win over Brugge at Old Trafford in the second leg of their Europa League last 32 tie, finding the net after 34 minutes.

Ighalo had been restricted to substitute cameos for the Red Devils following his deadline day switch from Shanghai Shenua, and marked his first start by opening his United account.

After slotting home following Juan Mata's cutback, the 30-year-old ​lifted his shirt to reveal a picture of his sister Mary Atole and the date of her passing.

Ighalo's boots also bear a tribute to his sister, with her name inscribed on them accompanied by a Nigerian flag.

Speaking about his goal to ​BT Sport at full time, Ighalo said: "​It's a great moment. I've been waiting for this. I've played three games, although I didn't play much there were no goals so [there was] a little bit of pressure. 

"But now I've got the goal to start my ​Manchester United goal career and with the team I've supported from when I was young. I'm very happy and I'm grateful to God.

"It's a big dream and realising the dream makes it even greater, so I thank God for this and I'm very happy."

Like her brother, Ighalo's sister was a life long Manchester United fan. She passed away in December after collapsing at her home in Canada.

Ighalo had opened up about his sister's passing in an interview with ​The Sun at the beginning of February.

The Nigerian international said: “I feel very emotional because it has not really struck me that my sister is gone forever and I am never going to see her again. It is a very painful loss but I am trying to be strong as a man.

“She always prayed I would sign for United. Even when she came to watch me in the Premier League playing for ​Watford she hoped I would join United.

“The painful part for me is that I now have signed for United, but she is not here to see it. However, I know she is up there watching me.”