A former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has said Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo is free to return to the Super Eagles if he so desires.
It will be recalled the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has held talks with Odion Ighalo in a bid to convince him to make a return to the national team following his recent move to England.
Ighalo announced his retirement from the national team immediately after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, where he was the highest goal scorer with five goals.
The Franco-German coach also admitted that it is the dream of every coach to have a player playing for a club like Manchester United in their ranks, adding that the experience of the 30-year-old would be useful for the young players in the squad.
Read Also: EPL: Solskjaer Speaks On Playing Ighalo, Fernandes Against Chelsea
However, Adepoju in a chat with Daily Trust expressed the opinion that only the player can decide, if he desires to return or not.
“It depends on what the coach wants. He retired himself, nobody forced him to do that and he has his reasons.
“In my opinion, it’s left to him whether he wants to come back or not if he is approached. If he comes back, it’s all well and good,” he said.
Speaking further, Adepoju said his possible return will not stall the development of Lille striker, Victor Osimhen who is the team’s main striker in the absence of Ighalo.
“You see, Osimhen is a very good player and nobody can stall any other person’s development. If Ighalo comes, that will be competition and that means the coach has two good players to choose from.
“Having good players in the team is a plus to the coach especially, if there are injuries,” he said.
Read Also: Just In: United Reveal Ighalo’s Number
The 30-year-old completed a shock loan switch from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua at the end of January, but did not head to Spain with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad because of the coronavirus outbreak.
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