IGHALO : THE NEVILLE, SCHOLES DISTRACTIONS

The duo of ex-Manchester United's players, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes took a swipe at Jude Odion Ighalo's move to Old Trafford, suggesting that it was a bad deal for the club.

Interestingly, both do not speak the minds of other great former players of the club. They merely expressed their views which many say is most unfortunate. But really, Ighalo was not their direct target. Tbey were indirectly and deliberately or indeliberately shooting down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is incharge and the one who wanted and facilitated Ighalo's move.

The comments of Neville and Scholes possess smacks of envy and hate. Rather than encourage the Solskjaer and Ighalo to help deliver a club floating in the middle of the table, which is not their traditional position, they resorted to harsh criticism and condemnation. It goes to show the pull-him-down syndrome around Solskjaer by his former teammates, who are either eyeing his job or simply praying for him to fail.

But to Ighalo, this should come as a great challenge. He needs to prove his critics wrong and help to boost Solskjaer's image and reputation which has taken great whips in recent times by same people.

Ighalo's few minutes on the pitch against Chelsea is a nice takeoff point. Many kicked against Solskjaer's decision to delay his coming in but it is all well that ends well. At least Ighalo's debut for Manchester United ended in a victory and three points in the bag. That's a high boost for the Nigerian. What next is the question and expectation of all.

Ighalo has to view the negative comments of Neville and Scholes as distractions. He has to fully concentrate on his game and on the pitch....He has to leave the lousy ones to do the talking while he does the scoring. Talk they say is cheap....especially when ex-players who know the effects of such negative talks embark on dirty act.

Once the goals start raining, it is only natural for the likes of Neville and Scholes to eat their words and swallow their pride. All Ighalo needs is relax and enjoy himself. Don't play under pressure. Undue pressure from people like Neville and Scholes can only frustrate a player by allowing him to lose concentration.

Thankfully, Solskjaer is already looking beyond Ighalo's loan deal.....as a permanent deal is in the offing. The gaffer is quite impressed by Ighalo's form at training and how he has quickly adapted in the club.

The goals will come naturally. You don't have to kill yourself or pick up a career threatening injury to prove anything. At 30 and with such deal in a massive club like United, you can only enjoy yourself. Just keep it simple on the field. Be relaxed in front of goal. Take your chances as they come....and the rest will be history.

Best wishes as you go ahead to silence your detractors. Impossibility is nothing! Go do Nigeria proud in the Theatre of Dreams. You have started well with the Chelsea game. It was a big game and a big win for you in your debut for Manchester United!