Tottenham wanted me but I joined Man United instead – I even took a pay cut

The two clubs will come face-to-face as the Premier League returns this weekend, with Michael Carrick's side hosting Spurs at Old Trafford on Saturday night. Ighalo previously made his loyalties clear on this fixture when he snubbed the north London side in January 2020.

The Nigerian striker spent a year on loan at United, appearing 23 times and making six goal contributions. His initial six-month spell at Shanghai Greenland Shenhua was extended by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the following January.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

Speaking in 2021, Ighalo revealed that Mourinho wanted to bring him to Tottenham at the same time as United. However, there was no question over which Premier League side the striker preferred.

He told Elegbete TV Sports: "When Tottenham heard that Manchester United were in talks with me, they started calling my agent because Harry Kane was injured then and they said Jose Mourinho wanted to speak to me.

"I am a man of principle, I got a pay cut going to Manchester United. Tottenham were ready to pay me all the wages I was earning in China, they were ready to pay a higher loan fee than Manchester United.

"My director in Shanghai Shenhua was trying to force me to accept Tottenham Hotspur. I told my agent I didn't care, that he should make the Manchester United deal happen if they are serious."

After a year in England, Ighalo opted to leave China and has now been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia. He has spent time at Al Shabab, Al-Hilal and Al-Wehda.

Meanwhile, United got rid of Solskjaer in November 2021 and have since gone through six managers. Carrick will lead the club out against Spurs, now managed by Roberto De Zerbi - the ninth manager after Mourinho.

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