With Manchester United at risk of losing on-loan Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo, former Old Trafford star Dimitar Berbatov has proposed that transfer rules should be changed to benefit his ex-employers.
Earlier this week, reports in England suggested that Ighalo would be recalled by parent club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua ahead of the impending return of the Chinese Super League, despite only joining United on loan in January.
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Now, Berbatov, who scored 48 Premier League goals for the Red Devils during his time with the club, has now called for clarity on the situation and suggested that a special exception should be made for United to replace Ighalo outside of the transfer window if he returns to China.
"United need to know what is happening with him," the former Bulgaria international wrote in a column for Betfair.
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"If they know they will lose him, they need to find someone else to replace him. If they haven't already found a replacement, they need to find someone quickly, but if he stays, his teammates get on well with him and he has Premier League experience, which is a big plus.
"For nine games, if they could come to an understanding and then he can go back, this would be the best option.
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"If a team is losing a loan player because of the situation, the federation should allow a team to get someone else because of the situation.
"If Ighalo goes, United should be allowed to get a replacement, they are in a great place going into this final part of the season and they have a great chance of getting top four, but it will be very difficult as no one wants to join for nine games.
"The best scenario is for them to come to an agreement to keep Ighalo for the few games, otherwise they will lose out on a player that can score goals in the race for the top four."