Now that’s how to break the internet.Odion Ighalo’s   cult status at Manchester United, made unwittingly into an own goal by club director Richard Arnold boasting about Nigerian’s web conquest of Donald Trump and Brexit on transfer deadline day, is trending conventionally after his first goal for the club.

The 30-year-old Nigerian striker spoke of his joy at scoring in Old Trafford, and the emotions behind the strike

Arnold’s bizarre observations fell easily to ridicule because they so obviously ignored the desperate nature of Ighalo’s loan signing from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, which was effectively a good, old punt to fill a hole exposed by United’s failure to recruit appropriately.

No blame attaches to Ighalo, of course. The 30-year-old shared in the 5-0 success against Club Brugge with his first goal in European competition and the first by a Nigerian in a United shirt on his first start for the club.

Though he had the least touches by any in the team, and is some way short of match fitness, his contribution in the hardest part of the pitch was not inconsiderable, evoking fleeting memories of his early days at Watford when he looked a player. “I’m getting better. I know I’m not 100 percent fit. My last game I played was 6 December in the FA Cup final in China. So I’m getting there bit by bit. The league is faster, stronger, you need more strength. I’m getting better every day.”

The relationship has potential to grow into something beautiful while it lasts, not least because of Ighalo’s deep attachment to the team as a fan and his willingness to communicate his feelings about the experience to supporters via the media mixed zone after matches, a process his team-mates are only too willing to eschew.

“This is what I dreamt of. I dreamt of playing for United and scoring my first goal. I’m very happy for that. It feels great. Old Trafford, seeing the fans singing my name, screaming for me. I’m very grateful. I waited for this, a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Odion Ighalo fulfils a dream by scoring for Manchester United against Club Brugge (Manchester United via Getty Images)

His goal acquired deeper emotional value with the t-shirt tribute he paid to his tragic sister, who died suddenly aged 42 at her home in Canada two months ago. The boot that put the ball in the back of the net also bore her name, Mary Atole. “I lost my sister in December. She is a Man United fan. We prayed for this moment to play for United. Unfortunately she is not here to see me doing that. I promised I would dedicate every goal I scored. I am happy that I did that and wherever she is, she is happy that I’m doing that.”

In his willingness to get involved, to show for the ball, to give 100 percent of what he has while being nowhere near 100 percent of what he might be, Ighalo is hero material from head to toe. Fans will forgive a player almost anything as long as they believe he is one of them. About his affection for this club there can be little doubt.

“They see me as one of their own because I came to this team because I supported them from young and I want to give my best to do whatever it takes to move forward. They appreciate that and I appreciated them from the first day I stepped on the field in Manchester. They have been behind me and I hope it continues like that. I promise them I will give my best, win, lose. I don’t care about the circumstances, I will keep giving my best.”