Scout Reports

FPL managers should wait on Ighalo’s United role and form before investing

Fantasy Premier League managers may have to wait a little time before they can decide whether or not they should consider Odion Ighalo (£6.5m).

The Nigerian centre-forward was a surprise arrival at Manchester United on transfer deadline day and, because of the 2019/20 winter break, is yet to make his Premier League debut for the club.

That has given us some time to assess his credentials as a Fantasy asset as we wait for the next round of Gameweek 26 matches.

The History and Statistics

Ighalo arrives at Manchester United with some Premier League experience but it is three years since he last played in the English top-flight.

The Nigerian international played for a number of clubs before joining Watford on loan in 2014.

Ighalo began his career with domestic outfit Prime FC (now known as Osun United) until Lagos-based side Julius Berger picked him up in 2006.

He then moved abroad to spend the 2007/08 campaign in Norway, netting nine goals in 20 league games for Lyn.

2008 was when Udinese noticed Ighalo and brought him to Italy. Loans at Granada (twice) and Cesena followed before Ighalo came to England with Watford.

His stay at Vicarage Road was made permanent in 2014 and in 2015/16, Ighalo became a well-known figure in FPL after an impressive season, in which he scored 16 times and provided a further six assists.

That made for a total score of 175 points that year, although the majority of these points came in the first half of the campaign.

Ighalo struggled in his sophomore year in the Premier League too, managing just one goal in 18 matches before Chinese Super League outfit Changchun Yatai came calling in January 2017.

Naturally, Igahlo accepted the lucrative offer and went on to rediscover his form in China.

He scored 36 goals in 55 league appearances for Changchun Yatai before moving to Shanghai Shenhua in 2019. In his first campaign there, Ighalo found the net 10 times in 17 matches before his loan move to Manchester United was confirmed.

Last summer, Ighalo also impressed on the international scene, scoring five times for Nigeria as they finished third at the 2019 African Cup of Nations, claiming the Golden Boot award in the process.

Understanding Ighalo’s strengths and attributes is not hard. The former Watford man is a textbook poacher, whose style revolves getting on the end of chances created by his team-mates.

Ighalo is not normally expected to hold the ball up or offer much in the air, while he has not historically contributed much in the way of passing to his colleagues.

However, he does tend to get fouled very often and can be a threat from set-pieces in the second phase.

While he has largely been successful in China, fans of Manchester United, as well as Fantasy managers, will be expecting him to improve his game a little bit to cope with the difference in difficulty level between his surroundings for the last three years and the Premier League.

The Comparisons

2019/20 seasonMins per shotMins per shot in the boxMins per shot on targetMins per key pass
Igahlo 19.6 23.5 51.7 86.1
B Fernandes 25.5 76.5 63.7 24.3
Fred 49.4 279.7 209.8 55.9
Greenwood 27.5 45 55 123.8
Lingard 44.5 68.5 178.2 46.9
D James 58 95.7 127.6 83.2
Martial 32.3 49.9 67.3 81.5
Mata 71.5 143 357.5 42.1
A Pereira 39 144.2 103 48.1
Pogba 37.2 74.4 104.2 32.6
Rashford 25.4 44.8 55.3 78.4

The Prospects

Fantasy managers may well have to be patient when it comes to assessing Ighalo’s viability as an option – although there is some hope that he could start life at Manchester United very well.

As you can see from the data above, when compared with his new team-mates during 2019/20 so far, Ighalo has the best minutes per shot, shot in the box and shot on target, by a reasonable margin in each category too.

Of course, we have to stringently apply the caveat that the Chinese Super League is nowhere near the Premier League in terms of difficulty.

However, Ighalo’s numbers still indicate the type of player they have signed – somebody willing to shoot regularly in dangerous areas with a relatively high level of accuracy too.

As we mentioned at the top of the article, a player of this description representing Manchester United for just £6.5m is naturally an attractive prospect.

Furthermore, we should point out that while Ighalo’s opposition will be more challenging in England than it was in China, his colleagues will also be of a superior level too.

As we discussed recently, the addition of Bruno Fernandes (£8.0m) to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad looks set to boost creativity at Old Trafford once he has settled into life in the Premier League.

Finally, the main thing that Fantasy managers need to know before being confident that Ighalo is a worthwhile signing is his role at Manchester United.

As things stand, Solskjaer has favoured using Anthony Martial (£7.9m) in the centre-forward role this season while Marcus Rashford (£8.9m) has primarily been stationed on the flanks of attacking midfield.

With Ighalo coming to the club, he is arguably the sort of player who can only operate in a central role and is not suited to a winger’s berth, even if it were to be an inside forward position.

Therefore, Solskjaer may have to move Martial, with more experience on the flanks, out wide to accommodate Ighalo in the team.

Therefore, we could potentially see the Frenchman’s Fantasy appeal dip if he is pushed away from his current out-of-position role at Manchester United.

Alternatively, Solskaer may want to stick with Martial as a centre-forward, in which case, Ighalo may end up operating as an impact substitute, while the likes of Daniel James (£5.9m), Mason Greenwood (£4.4m) and Juan Mata (£6.2m) continue to take up wider positions.

If that were to be the case, then, of course, Ighalo will struggle to live up even to a £6.5m price tag.

Therefore, Fantasy managers are encouraged to adopt a wait-and-see policy on the Nigerian ahead of the 2019/20 season run-in.

599 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Taa,Stephens,Robbo
    Mane(c),Kdb(VC),Traore,Mahrez,Martial
    Ings,Vardry

    Button Deeney,Tanga,William

    Good to go for GW 26 guys?

    1. Citizenkane91
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You tell me, how's it going already?

      GTG for 27, goody goody!

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        haha thanks mate

    2. HellasLEAF
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Solid

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        thanks mate

  2. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So is the Lund run done then?

    Feels strange taking him out even with 2 frees.

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I transfer Lund out for Stephens

      1. HellasLEAF
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        want to do the same, but would mean funds coming from elsewhere so want to be sure..

        1. Chelsea91
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          okay mate

  3. KINGS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GW 31 seems like the best timw to FH. Any other thoughts?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I'm doing it then. I already have an idea of the players I want to bring in.

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Nah I’m saving it for a dgw

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      will decide when we actually know the fixtures

  4. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Glad that City game might play next week as per many sources

    dont want Rico 1 pointer

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hope

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do you know when we get an official confirmation?

    3. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      whats the sources?

      1. ppv
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Manchester Evening News

        1. FCSB
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          whats their source?

          1. ppv
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Educated guess most probably

          2. Taffer
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            it will be sourced from their various contacts within the club

            1. FCSB
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              It is pure speculation just like on here

    4. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would really love the game to be played this GW but not feeling very optimistic about it.
      Aguero (C) and Auba (VC)

  5. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1 ft and 1.6m itb. What do do with this lot ?

    Ramsgate Ryan
    TAA Soyuncu Rico Aurier Lundstram
    Salah KDB Grealish Traore Hayden
    Vardy Firminho DCL..

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good side but I am sure you would prefer Pope in your side, Nothing pressing but nearer the tfr time look to move out Ryan.

    2. FPL Xylophone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Upgrade Grealish

      1. ppv
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Impossible to upgrade Super Jack

        1. FPL Xylophone
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Definitely a haircut

          1. ppv
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Fair point

  6. Khurram Sikandar
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    My Full Team, Any Advice for Blank GW28:

    McGovern, McCarthy

    Kelly, Alexander-Arnold, Stephens, Aurier, Williams

    Salah, De Bruyne, Fleck, Alli, Doucouré

    Calvert-Lewin, Agüero, Ings

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bench weak. Upgrade with 28 and 31 in mind. In 28 you will have Kun and KDB benched and Kelly and Williams coming on. Not great

    2. FPL Xylophone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sell kun and kelly. Get jim and robo.

  7. Stoic
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who names these storms ?

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Crellin

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Can't find the spreadsheet .....

      2. farmerfat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        XD

  8. FPL Xylophone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Why to Wildcard now?
    For managers who are trying to make up ground in their mini-leagues, every Gameweek is precious.
    It is arguably a missed opportunity to have a new, successful squad which only brings in big returns for the final few Gameweeks.
    If a struggling manager can devise a winning formula then doing it early means they will reap the rewards over a longer period.
    A manager who can put together an exciting squad in one Gameweek may not be able to afford the same players in the next Gameweek cause of price changes.
    Those running out of available players can use the Wildcard to solve all of their problems at once rather than taking points hits.
    By using the Wildcard, managers can switch from players who have tough fixtures to those who have an enticing run ahead (eg man city to arsenal or everton to sotton)
    Add your reason...

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      each to their own - plenty of articles on the subject, but if you use your WC now just to refresh you team and avoid hits, you will probably be taking hits in the double gameweeks to keep up with those that held back the WC

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Honestly I feel we have enough time to shape our team accordingly before those DGWs

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          wait until one player gets injured, one dropped and you have fires to out out rather then planning to get a few extra double gameweek players in ... no easy answer imho

          1. OverTinker
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Of course no easy answers. But in three weeks since I have WCed I feel that I have benefitted enough to say that it worked

        2. Whats the Huth
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          We have nowhere near enough info on the doubles and blanks to come.
          And no, you won’t have any time to shape your team accordingly. You will take hits 100%

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      This was my thinking behind the WC in GW 24

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Removed soy, Maddison, Kelly, Abraham and Rico among others. Unfortunately Lord was nailed at that time.

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saving my WC until gw29 at least, waiting for more info on dgw’s and the blanks

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah if someone hasn't WCed yet he should wait

    4. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do what you feel is best for YOUR team.
      I dont feel like there is a right or wrong way to play the game. Do what makes you excited. 7m players , no need to follow anyone else.

  9. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    hey guys, as a Kun(c) and KDB owner, not sure what to do anymore..
    i was the only one with Kun in my ML...
    now got 2 FTs and 0.4 ITB..

    Hendo Button
    TAA Rico Lunds Cathcart Dunk
    Salah KDB Grealish Doucou Cantwell
    Ings Bobby Kun

    1. FPL Xylophone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Get jim and maybe son for kun and grealish

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        why would I get rid of Grealish?

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Tough fixtures plus blank

          1. tibollom
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Oh ok... thanks

  10. Dannywaz
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Henderson
    Stevens vvd taa
    Traore salah kdb grealish
    Jimmy ings auba
    Gtg

  11. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish Greenwood => Hayden Jimenez for 2FTs?

    Mc
    TAA Rob Lund (Lascelles Sidibe)
    Salah Alli Martial KDB (Hayden)
    Vardy DCL Jimenez

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      why get rid of Grealish?? Fixtures?

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, blanks and fixtures

  12. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What are Kun owners doing? I really dont know what to do with my team at the moment...
    i was the only one with Kun in my ML...
    now got 2 FTs and 0.4 ITB..

    Hendo Button
    TAA Rico Lunds Cathcart Dunk
    Salah KDB Grealish Doucou Cantwell
    Ings Bobby Kun

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why not keep? Likely to have another double now too

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yea was just wondering.. so what to do with my 2 FT.. maybe Lunds + Cant/Doucou?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Button to McCarthy for 2nd playing keeper?

          1. tibollom
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            yea good point actually.. would you also get rid of either Lunds or Grealish?

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Depends who you want, don't see the need to get rid now.

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      just wait, will know moe by the end of the week regarding West ham game, probably City-arsenal game also be announced for a new date, you have some small issues at the back, non playing goalie in 28, so i would wait and you might look at your team next week and it will become more clear what to do?

  13. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can't wait to bring back pope for Pickford

    What a fail move this was

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry to hear about your Pickford pain.

  14. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Have KDB,Auba,Grealish and Lundstram missing gw28
    Who to replace Lundstram by?

    backline is as follows:
    McCarthy
    TAA,VVD,Fernandez,Soyuncu

    0.2itb

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can you hear the drums Fernandez?

  15. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Have Henderson and Button
    Button to Pope or McCarthy?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pope has slightly better fixtures than McCarthy in weeks you will use them, guaranteed GW31 game as well.

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I need another GK for those two weeks plus for BB. Thanks

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Pope won’t help BB if you’re looking at DGW - he’s almost certain not to get a DGW - Burnley have confirmed fixtures in 31 and 34

          1. OverTinker
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Won't play BB on DGW

  16. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know when Charlie Daniels is back?

  17. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) Boly (guaranteed gw31 fix)
    B) Lascelles (better fix in blank gw28)

  18. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any chances that Mane will play ?

    1. Offs!de
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think so. He has been training

    2. Onz
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Recent twitter said NO. but you have to make your own mind up.

      1. SMOOTH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        link?

    3. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He’ll start

    4. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He is back in training , plenty time until the game, so I dont see why not

  19. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If the city game is played next week during the week... will it be in this gameweek?

    1. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If it is played next week it will be during this GW

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I see half the Citeh squad already on holiday

  20. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Taa,Egan,Stephens
    Mane,Salah(C),Kdb,Son
    Ings,Vardy,DCL

    Button William,Tanga,hayden

    How the WC team?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Your bench questions over starts.
      Citeh players will be rested. But not atm.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t like keepers much.

      BB already played I assume if you’re getting Button and with presumed DG31 you’ll be struggling on DGWs for a keeper - Pope is near certain not to get one.

  21. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning dzzz, what would you recommend here with 2FT and 1.8m

    Ryan
    TAA • Robbo • Lundy -- Aurier (che) Rico
    Salah • Kdb • Grealish • Martial
    Vardy • Ings • DCL

    A: DCL >> Jimmy (as planned) and carry over FT
    B: Ryan >> Fabianski with the West Ham dgw29
    C: Something else. Martial has a good fixture so can hold for 1 more gw before offloading him. Same with grealish

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      i would not count on dgw for west ham in 29, it could be played next wednesday and if not then City-arsenal more likely in 29.

  22. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    why do they have to make 31 a blank, right before the ib? Almost bound to be an underwhelming gameweek and then you have to wait for two weeks.. ugh.