Manchester United signed both Odion Ighalo and Bruno Fernandes during the January transfer window, with the former arriving on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season while the latter made the move from Sporting Lisbon on a long-term contract.
Both players have impressed since arriving in Manchester; Ighalo has managed four goals and one assist in eight appearances in all competitions, while Fernandes has contributed three goals and four assists in nine outings during an impressive start to his Old Trafford career.
Seven goals between the pair until this point is a strong return, and both players have helped United put themselves firmly in the race for a top-four finish come the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
It remains to be seen whether the current Premier League season can be completed, but as has arguably been the case for all of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's signings thus far, the pair have proved to be a success.
Here, Sports Mole ranks Ighalo's and Fernandes's goals for the 20-time English champions from worst to best, and there have certainly been some impressive strikes.
7. Bruno Fernandes vs. Club Brugge (February 27)
Bruno Fernandes penalty goal vs Club Brugge 1-0 pic.twitter.com/yWZorBWrgh
— liam thompson (@liamtoma) February 27, 2020
Fernandes scored his second goal for United from the penalty spot in the 5-0 win over Club Brugge on February 27. The Portugal international had to wait a long time before stepping up due to a VAR check, but he expertly placed the ball into the bottom left to send the Red Devils firmly on their way.
6. Bruno Fernandes vs. Watford (February 23)
The attacker's first goal for Solskjaer's side came against Watford in the Premier League on February 23. It was a real pressure moment for the Portuguese after he had been brought to the ground by Ben Foster, but the number 18 found the bottom right, sparking jubilant scenes inside the stadium.
5. Odion Ighalo vs. Club Brugge (February 27)
Ighalo goal vs Clubb Brugge (2-0)
— Manutd special🔴 (@EbukaAmanze) February 27, 2020
That pass by Bruno 🔥😍
His first goal in the club🇳🇬#MUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/P6DpfsbYaW
Ighalo opened his account for United with a goal against Brugge at the end of February. In truth, it was a simple finish for the Nigerian as he met a low cross form Juan Mata, but the experienced striker found himself in the right place at the right time and dispatched impressively into the back of the net.
4. Odion Ighalo vs. Derby County (March 5)
Derby County 2-0Manchester United | And Ighalo scores (GOAL!!!) 41' #DERMUN pic.twitter.com/sIFoJNkLM6
— Ølawale✪ (@Authvibez) March 5, 2020
The striker's second goal for the club came against Derby County in the FA Cup at the start of March. Indeed, having freed himself inside the Championship outfit's box, the on-loan attacker managed to squeeze the ball into the bottom corner with a clever left-footed finish.
3. Odion Ighalo vs. Derby County (March 5)
⚽️ Derby County vs Manchester United | Ighalo (GOAL!!!) 70' #DERMUN pic.twitter.com/HMZzLZRpmx
— D9INE (@D9INE_NEXUS_F1) March 5, 2020
Number three on the list is Ighalo's second goal from the same match against Derby. The Nigerian's initial strike from a low cross was blocked, but he thrashed his second attempt high into the roof of the net, leaving goalkeeper Kelle Roos with no chance of making the save.
2. Bruno Fernandes vs. Everton (March 1)
Bruno Fernandes' goal vs Everton [sky] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/YbHSyrJ482
— MUFC Scoop (@MUFCScoop) March 1, 2020
The attacker's only goal from open play for United thus far came against Everton in the Premier League at the start of March, and it was some strike. Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford might have done better, but Fernandes's long-range effort from distance nestled into the bottom left-hand corner.
1. Odion Ighalo vs. LASK (March 12)
Ighalo's goal against LASK 😍
— Therese 🇳🇴 (@ThereseUTD) March 12, 2020
SIGN HIM UP!
pic.twitter.com/vlRgxVv1mW
There was only really one goal which could be placed first on this list. Indeed, Ighalo sent United on their way against LASK Linz in the Europa League on March 12 with a stunning strike. Having been found by Fernandes in a dangerous area, the striker took three touches to work the space before firing a wonderful left-footed strike into the back of the net off the crossbar.
Matt Law
