TheCable

Manchester United defeated LASK, Australian side, 5-0 away from home, with Odion Ighalo scoring the first goal in the Europa League round of 16 first leg encounter.

Despite being played in an empty stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 could not stop the Red Devils from taking a big advantage back to England for the second leg.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria striker opened the floodgate of goals in the 28th minute, combining technicality, creativity and lethality to score a wonderful goal.

The 30-year-old collected Bruno Fernandes’ pass on the edge of the box, moved it onto his left foot and belted a shot off the underside of the crossbar to give United a 1-0 lead.

The goal means Ighalo has scored in all three of his starts for Man United, his fourth goal of the sequence.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side doubled their lead through Daniel James on 58 minutes, feeding off a pass from Ighalo.

The youngster‘s placed shot nestled into the back of the net to end his 32-game goal drought.

The China loanee almost doubled his goal tally as he shrugged off a defender but could only hit the base of the post with his shot.

Juan Mata secured the win on 82 minutes with another well-worked goal, latching onto Fred’s through pass before slotting into the back of the net.

Ighalo was substituted six minutes from the end and his replacement, Mason Greenwood, scored the fourth goal while Andreas Perreira completed the 5-0 rout deep into added time.

Ighalo has played seven times since joining Manchester United on January transfer deadline day.