18/07/2020
Emirates FA Cup: Ighalo Ready For Chelsea Showdown
Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo is looking forward to Sundayâs Emirates FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea..
Ighalo missed the chance to play in the final in 2016 during his time with Watford.
The 31-year-old was part of the Hornets team which narrowly lost out to Unitedâs final opponents, Crystal Palace in the last four.
âEverybody wants to play against teams like Chelsea, big teams, and
play well against them and, most of all, playing at Wembley and, you
know if you win, youâre in the final. So, of course, itâs going to give you
more to want to fight hard and make sure you give everything to win
the game,âIghalo told the clubâs official website.
âTo get to the final would be great for me in my life and my career. I
missed out in 2016 and I have the opportunity to now get to the final
with the club Iâve supported all my life. It would make my dreams
perfect. It will be tough but we have what it takes.
âWe have beaten them three times this season I think, one in the
Carabao Cup and two in the league, and weâre playing them now in the
semi-final. All those games donât count though.
âThis is a different game which is going to be even tougher without the fans in
stadium. We have to fight from the first minute until the end. Itâs
always tough against them but I think, with the quality and
momentum we have now, we are ready to go and to win against any
team.â
It was Ighaloâs opener in the quarter-final clash at Norwich last month
which set United on our way to reaching the last four.
Since then, the Reds have been in free-flowing goalscoring form and Ighalo says he is
both enjoying seeing his fellow forwards in such fine fettle and is
training hard to ensure he is ready whenever he may be needed to
support them in attack.
âThey are doing so well,â he said, when asked about the recent goal
exploits of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.
âSeeing them playing every week is a joy. Rashford has come back
from his injury and is doing well. Martial is scoring goals, Mason
Greenwood is unbelievable, he is such a good finisher with both feet.
âThe team is doing well and the three forwards are scoring goals and
thatâs what we need â goals win games. And I donât forget Bruno
[Fernandes] with the assists and goals too. I think the mentality is
getting stronger every time.
âAs a professional, you have to be ready, you have to have that
mental strength to be ready,â he continued. âWe train hard to keep fit
and Iâm always ready when Iâm called upon, and I will give 100 per
cent. You always have to stay focused.â
Source: Completesports.com