Odion Ighalo to dedicate every goal he scores for Manchester United to his late sister Mary Atole who passed away in December

Odion Ighalo has revealed that all goals he scores for Manchester United will be dedicated to his big sister who tragically passed away last December.

His sister, Mary Atole, 42, died suddenly late last year at her home in Canada.

The Nigerian international, 30, who could make his debut against Chelsea on Monday following his loan switch to Old Trafford on deadline day in January, has opened up on the tragedy that left him heartbroken in December.

Speaking with the Sun, the former Watford striker who sealed the loan move from Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua admitted he and his family members are struggling to come to terms with the loss.

“I feel very emotional because it has not really struck me that my sister is gone forever and I am never going to see her again,’ the frontman revealed to The Sun.

“My twin sister, Akhere, will call me, crying, saying she misses her and, sometimes when I am alone, I cry too.

“It is a very painful loss but I am trying to be strong as a man.”

On how he has decided to honour his late sister, Ighalo has written her name on his special white T-shirt as well as his boots, will dedicate every goal he scores for Manchester United to God and to her.

“Every goal I score from now until I finish my career will be dedicated to God and to her,” Ighalo continued.

“I have written her name on my special white T-shirt and put her name on my boots. I want to show the world she is always with me.”