Manchester United extend Odion Ighalo loan until end of January 2021

Nigeria striker's initial deal expired at the end of May

Manchester United's Odion Ighalo celebrates after scoring against Club Brugge at Old Trafford. PA

An undated handout picture shows Wayne Richardson, left, posing with Manchester United's Nigerian attacker Odion Ighalo at the National Taekwondo Centre in Manchester. AFP

Manchester United's Odion Ighalo celebrates scoring in the Europa League match against LASK. Reuters

Manchester United's Odion Ighalo during training. Reuters

Manchester United's Odion Ighalo arrives for training at Aon Training Complex in, Carrington, Manchester, on May 20, 2020. Reuters

Manchester United have extended Odion Ighalo's loan spell until January 2021. AFP

Juan Mata of Manchester United celebrates with Odion Ighalo after scoring his team's third goal during the Europa League round of 16 first leg match between LASK. Getty Images

Manchester United have extended Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo's loan spell until January 2021.

Ighalo initially joined the Premier League club in January on a short-term deal from Chinese Super League's Shanghai Shenhua.

That deal expired at the end of May but by agreeing fresh terms manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be able to call on Ighalo for the remainder of the domestic English season as well as the club's Europa League campaign, assuming both are safe to resume following the severe disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as a significant chunk of next season.

"Manchester United have reached agreement with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua to extend the loan deal for Odion Ighalo," United said in a statement.

"He will now remain with the Reds until 31 January 2021, enabling him to build on an impressive start to life with the club he supported as a boy."

Ighalo has impressed during his brief time at Old Trafford, scoring four goals in eight appearances before the season was shutdown on March 10 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The Premier League is slated to return on June 17, with United facing a trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

Should the health crisis in Britain abate to acceptable levels, United could face up to 12 matches in little over a month should they also progress in the FA Cup.

Solskjaer's men are also due to resume their Europa League campaign in August, holding a 5-0 first-leg victory over LASK in the last-16.

"They [Shanghai] have been great towards us, allowing him to play for his dream club," said Solskjaer last week.

"It's been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish what he started and win a trophy with us."