(REUTERS) - Manchester United have extended striker Odion Ighalo's loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of January 2021, the English Premier League club said on Monday (June 1).

The 30-year-old made an impressive start to life at United, scoring four times in eight games after signing an initial loan deal until May 31 from the Chinese Super League club.

Ighalo's current deal with Shanghai runs out in December 2022 and he is expected to sign a new contract until the end of 2024, Sky reported.

The Nigerian, who has scored two goals apiece for United in the Europa League and FA Cup, will hope to open his account in the Premier League when the season, suspended since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resumes on June 17.

United are fifth in the standings on 45 points, three behind fourth-placed Chelsea, with nine games left. They are virtually through to the Europa League quarter-finals and are also in the last eight of the FA Cup.