Ighalo took a pay cut to snub Mourinho's Tottenham and join Manchester United in 2020

Odion Ighalo turned down a more lucrative offer from Tottenham Hotspur to sign for Manchester United on loan in January 2020, the Nigerian striker has confirmed — accepting a pay cut in the process to fulfil what he described as a lifelong ambition.

Ighalo made the revelation in a 2021 interview with Elegbete TV Sports, explaining that Tottenham entered the picture after learning United were in advanced talks with him. At the time, Harry Kane was injured and manager Jose Mourinho was looking for cover.

“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,” Ighalo said. “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.”

He added that pressure from his club in China did nothing to change his mind. “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.”

Ighalo went on to spend a year at Old Trafford, making 23 appearances and contributing six goals and assists. His initial six-month loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua was extended by then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until January 2021.

After returning from England, Ighalo eventually left China and has since played in Saudi Arabia, representing Al Shabab, Al-Hilal and Al-Wehda.

The story resurfaces ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Tottenham at Old Trafford. United are now managed by Michael Carrick, while Spurs are under Roberto De Zerbi — the ninth Tottenham manager since Mourinho’s tenure.