Ex-Man Utd striker on top January target and who should replace AFCON-bound Mbeumo

• Odion Ighalo says Mason Mount can fill the void left by AFCON-bound Bryan Mbeumo

• The former Manchester United striker believes the Red Devils should sign Carlos Baleba in January

• Ighalo also discusses former team-mates Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay, who are shining away from Old Trafford

Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo speaks exclusively to Ladbrokes about the player who can step up in Bryan Mbeumo's absence when the influential winger goes to the Africa Cup of Nations and the one player he thinks the Red Devils should sign this January.

The Nigerian also discusses former team-mate Marcus Rashford's future at Old Trafford and Scott McTominay's success since leaving for Napoli.

The smart signing for Man United, and who replaces Mbeumo during AFCON...

Bryan Mbeumo has been one of Man United’s standout players so far this season, but of course he’ll be away with Cameroon for AFCON, which means someone will need to fill in for him. If Mason Mount stays fit, I think he could be the guy who does that. He’s not going to be an exact replacement, because Mbeumo is a very special player, he’s fast, he scores goals… so it’s definitely going to be a different kind of player covering for him, but I think Mount is capable of stepping in.

I thought Mbeumo was one of a few clever signings by United in the summer, but I still think they could have strengthened in a couple of areas. They brought in a striker who can’t really seem to get going in the team…

And then I still think they need a box-to-box midfielder who can complement Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in there. You know, someone who can use the ball, pass, run, tackle… all of that. I really like the Brighton player they are linked to, Carlos Baleba. United have already brought in a couple of names in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo who know the league well, and Baleba would be another one who I think would be a smart signing for the club. I’ve watched a lot of him, and his work rate is very similar to Moises Caicedo, who Chelsea also signed from Brighton. That work rate, that willingness to do the dirty work… they need a player like this.

Casemiro does some of the dirty work, but I think you need someone who can learn from him and step into the role when he leaves the club. For me, Baleba is that guy.

They have to spend money if they’re going to challenge for the title at any point in the next few years. They still need to bring in top players. They need that midfielder I’ve talked about, and maybe a striker who is proven in the division.

I like Benjamin Sesko - he has potential but has not hit his peak. I think the team needs someone with experience who is proven at this level. This will help a lot with the system the coach is playing.

There's no future for Marcus Rashford at United

I think it’s going to be difficult for Marcus Rashford to go back to Manchester United. For me, they should just make the deal permanent in Barcelona because he’s doing so well there, and what with everything that’s transpired with him and the coach at United, I just think it’s going to be difficult for them to work together again. They should just go their separate ways and wish each other the best. That’s it.

He was always a happy guy and a hard worker when I played with him. You know, even on half-days, he’d be coming in for longer sessions because he wanted to better himself. And for his age, when you look at what he’s achieved in his career already up to this point, a lot of that has been down to his hard work. No one can take any of that away from him, and above everything else he’s a really good guy who I had a nice time with at United.

We’ll still talk now, and when I left the club he sent me a message, wished me well and all that. Like I said, he’s just a really good guy with a good heart. I was at United when he did everything off the pitch during COVID, helping the young kids – I’ve seen him do so much for so many people. You might criticise him on the pitch, but as a human, he has such a good heart.

Scott McTominay is someone United could do with now...

Scott McTominay is an interesting one because I think everything with him was just around timing. You know, he’s doing so well since he left the club, but he had to leave because there were just too many players in his position around the place at the time. 

It’s funny because his style is probably something which Man United need now; he runs, he tackles, he works hard and he scores goals. He’s a very humble guy who fits Man United’s way of playing.

His goal for Scotland last week was incredible… it’s the kind of thing Cristiano Ronaldo does! What a goal; it was unbelievable. I can’t say I ever saw him do anything like that in training at United, but he used to love to shoot and was always trying new things, so it didn’t surprise me he scored it in that respect.

He’s the kind of player who will shoot from anywhere; he’s so quick with his thinking and will happily take shots on first time, rather than controlling the ball and slowing things down.

Check out our match preview for Man Utd's trip to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, while we have also looked ahead to the nine other games on Gameweek 13 in our dedicated section.

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