It will be noted that Naijacrawl reported yesterday that the Nigerian player might exist the club this weekend when his 6 month loan contract expire on Sunday, and United remain in talks to extend his stay at Old Trafford

Meanwhile Shenhua will only agree to a permanent deal or an extension to his loan that incorporates an obligation to buy. Ighalo would be likely to cost upwards of £20m.

But Solskjaer still has belief an arrangement can be found to allow Ighalo to complete the season with United, the club he grew up supporting as a boy.

"The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he's supposed to be going back," Solskjaer told MUTV.

"We're in dialogue. They've been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club.

"It's been a dream for him and hopefully he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed. Their league is going to get started soon so we're just waiting to see."

As things stand, Shenhua expect Ighalo to have returned in time for the resumption of the Chinese Super League season, expected to be at the end of June or beginning of July.