Following Calvin Bassey’s heroics against Manchester United in the FA CUP on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra’s ABIODUN ADEWALE takes a look at some Nigerian players who have turned up in style at Old Trafford
Calvin Bassey
Not once, but twice, Bassey has turned up the heat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, with the latest being his goal-scoring feat in Fulham’s FA Cup triumph over the Red Devils on Sunday.
In his fifth appearance against the Red Devils, the Nigerian headed the Cottagers in front on the stroke of halftime before his goal was cancelled out in the second half by Bruno Fernandes, with the game staying level at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and extra time. Fulham won 4-3 on penalties and progressed into the quarter-finals.
The 25-year-old who suffered online abuse in the wake of the game will still cherish his run at Old Trafford, having scored twice against United at the Theatre of Dreams – his highest tally against any team since turning professional.
He had scored his first goal against the Red Devils during Fulham’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford last season.
Cyriel Dessers
In what could be termed as a game of stunners, Rangers forward, Dessers didn’t fail to show up as he scored one of his best goals this season during Rangers’ Europa League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Dessers was introduced as a second-half substitute in the game, and he netted Rangers’ equaliser before Bruno Fernandes stole it for United with another late stunner.
The Nigerian sneaked behind two Manchester United defenders, controlled a long pass with his right foot as he turned and lashed a low driver into the far corner of the post.
Coincidentally, it was the striker’s 150th club career goal, and it was voted Rangers’ Goal of The Month for January.
Francis Uzoho
Before Uzoho went under the radar as Nigeria’s top-choice goalkeeper, he delivered an unforgettable display of goalkeeping at Old Trafford in October 2022, when United hosted Omonia Nicosia in the group stage of the Europa League.
Uzoho made 12 eye-popping saves against his ‘boyhood club’ before being beaten in stoppage time by substitute Scott McTominay’s winner to send Old Trafford into rapturous celebrations. The hosts had dominated for most of the half but failed to find a way past Uzoho, who was playing in just his third club game of the season as of then.
The Nigerian also denied Cristiano Ronaldo from scoring – in the process accruing an impressive 12 saves – with nine of them coming from inside the box.
“I am not disappointed with the result because we had a great game, but we would have preferred to get at least a point,” Uzoho stated, as per BT Sports, two years after the game.
“But I’m happy; it’s not an easy stadium to play in with these big players.”
Odion Ighalo
The only Nigerian player to have played for Manchester United – at least until Chido Obi-Martin switches his allegiance to the Super Eagles – Ighalo indeed fulfilled a lifetime dream during his six-month loan spell at Manchester United.
After spending three years at Watford, where he scored 34 goals in 82 appearances, Ighalo left the English Premier League for China but made a sensational return when the Red Devils were in dire need of a point man during the 2020 January transfer window.
His presence within the first team was initially blocked as a precautionary measure due to fears over the COVID-19 outbreak in China, before he made his debut as a stoppage-time substitute against Chelsea in February 2020. He went on to make 23 appearances for the club, scoring five goals.
After the move was confirmed, Ighalo revealed that he had taken a pay cut to make the move happen, calling it a “dream” to join the club he has long supported.
“So, I thank God I played for the biggest club in the world, it’s an achievement for me and when you say, “what I should do better?”. I think I did everything I should do. I worked hard, I scored a few goals, and I’m happy. “I don’t have one regret; I have zero regrets for my time at Manchester United,” he said.
Honourable mentions
Alex Iwobi also has one goal at Old Trafford, having scored twice in 19 appearances against United.
Former Super Eagles skipper Nwankwo Kanu has three goals against United, with one of them – during their FA Cup fourth-round clash in 2007 – coming at Old Trafford.
