Glenn Murray opens up after being linked with shock Man Utd move
Brighton striker Glenn Murray has insisted that he didn’t know too much about the speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United during the transfer window.
United were in need of a striker following Marcus Rashford’s back injury and eventually opted to bring Shanghai Greenland Shenhua hitman Odion Ighalo to Old Trafford on a short-term loan.
However, previous reports have suggested that Murray, 36, was on the Red Devils’ radar due to the previous uncertainty surrounding his contract situation on the south coast.
Murray has since penned a one-year extension to his deal with the Seagulls and speaking to Metro about the speculation, the Englishman admitted the uncertainty did not worry him.
“Obviously I want to play more football and the club appreciated that,” the striker said. “But they offered me a deal and I’m just glad to extend my stay at the club, and just prolong my career in the game to be honest.”
Asked if he had any news on United’s interest, he said: “Not really to be honest. I’ve seen the story, but I haven’t heard much about it.
“I just let my agent deal with all that and I just try and concentrate on what I’ve got to do.”
Murray, a Brighton stalwart in recent seasons, has only made 16 Premier League appearances this term, scoring one goal.
Despite having to play second fiddle to Neal Maupay, Brighton boss Graham Potter reiterated Murray‘s importance to the team following the striker’s contract extension.
Potter said: “Everyone knows what Glenn brings to the club, and he’s an important member of the squad – on and off the pitch – and he showed that in abundance on Saturday at West Ham.
“I’ve always said he’s got a big part to play here.
“He’s happy and settled, he loves this club, and he’s been the ultimate professional on and off the pitch. He’s keeps himself in fantastic shape and that takes great dedication.”
As for United’s signing of Ighalo, a report from Footmercato has claimed that the Nigerian’s arrival at Old Trafford was not a panic buy, despite the deal being announced early on Saturday morning after the transfer window had shut.
The outlet says that Ighalo agreed to move to United on January 26 and that it was Shanghai Shenhua who were responsible for stalling the negotiations.
The former Watford striker scored 40 goals in 100 appearances for the Hornets between 2014 and 2017.
