Former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has branded Odion Ighalo a "brilliant signing" for Manchester United.

The Red Devils were linked with a number of forwards during the January transfer window before agreeing to sign Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua for the remainder of the season.

The Nigeria international has scored three times in his six appearances for United in all competitions, and Redknapp has claimed that the 30-year-old has been an inspired signing for the club.

"Brilliant signing. There was no doubting his ability. Even at Watford he showed glimpses and Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] obviously knew him, so they're inspired signings and they're the ones you want," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"If you're building a team for the future, you're not going to put Ighalo in it for the next five years but right now, as a stop gap with Marcus Rashford injured, Ole needed somebody to come in and make a difference and against Derby [County] he was fantastic and took his second goal extremely well.

"And that will give him a lot of confidence. Even if he doesn't start, to come off the bench and make a difference, that's what you need as a manager."

Ighalo has not yet scored in the Premier League for United but has featured in each of their last three league outings against Chelsea, Watford and Everton.