John Obi Mikel’s Failed Shot At Becoming Man United’s Golden Oldie

In recent seasons, Manchester United have been known to gun for players, especially strikers in the twilight of their careers in the transfer market.

Such transfer policy saw the Red Devils buy players like Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Odion Ighalo.

The aforementioned strikers had relative success at Old Trafford with Zlatan Ibrahimovic part of the UEFA Europa League side under manager Jose Mourinho while Ighalo scored some memorable goals especially in the Europa League when Ole Gunnar Soklsjaer was in charge of the team.

In the summer of 2022/2023 season, United attempted to sign former West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic from Serie A side, Bologna for £7.6m which was outrightly rejected by the club and protested by United fans.

 

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With the January transfer window almost upon us, would there be a Nigerian player that fits the bill as an oldie?

The one player of note who is now retired from the game who might have been in that position is John Obi Mikel.

Mikel was coveted by United as a youngster at Norwegian club Lyn Oslo before Chelsea hijacked the deal from under their feet when Sir Alex Ferguson was still manager at the club.

When Obi left Chelsea, he sojourned to the Chinese Super League but never made a return to Europe.

Had Mikel gotten a lucrative offer from a team in Europe whilst he was in the CSL, perhaps his game would still be good enough for half-a -season in the least.

A couple of players in the Asian league signed for European clubs and made a return to some of their stumping grounds.

Mikel’s former teammate at Chelsea, Oscar, was however an exception as elected to remain in China.

Mikel may not be a global superstar in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pepe, Luiz, Suarez, and Lionel Messi, but one thing he shares in common with these legends is his durability and self discipline as he took care of himself as a player and person even in his 30s.

The Nigerian who won the UEFA Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea has retired from football and it remains to be seen if another player can step into that Odion Ighalo-esque role at United or perhaps at another club.