Manchester United legend Owen Hargreaves expects the Red Devils to offer Odion Ighalo a permanent deal as he brings something different to the side.

The future of the former Nigeria international at Old Trafford continues to be a subject of speculation in recent weeks as he has approximately one week left before his loan deal expires.

With Marcus Rashford back to full fitness and Chile star Alexis Sanchez due to return to Old Trafford before the start of next season, coupled with the fact that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in the market for a world class striker, Manchester United are not desperate to extend Ighalo's stay beyond the 2019-2020 campaign.

"I think he's been a good fit for Man United and when you sign players you've got to get the right fit," Hargreaves told talkSPORT via Daily Express.

"It's not always about getting the best name, it's about getting the guy that you don't have that you need.

"He was somebody that whoever signed him hats off to you, because he's given them something different.

"Hopefully he stays but there's the whole Sanchez situation when he comes back, Martial and Rashford, he's fit as well, Bruno [Fernandes] and [Paul] Pogba - you've got to get them all into a team, with Daniel James as well.

"So he's been good, really good. I'm sure they'll try, if it's sensible, keep him longer. I'd be surprised if he left."

Ighalo is under contract with Shanghai Shenhua until December 2021, and to complicate matters further, the Chinese Super League club want him to return to China before the start of the new season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel