Former Watford striker Odion Ighalo has spoken about his time at Watford in his first interview as a Manchester United player.

Following his move to Old Trafford from Shanghai Shenhua the Nigerian forward recalled his first game at United's stadium with the Hornets, in which he was so desperate to score against the club he supported as a child, Troy Deeney had to calm him down.

He also said his brace in the 3-0 win over Liverpool was one of the happiest moments in his career to date.

"Yeah, I could remember the game at Old Trafford, we lost 1-0. The game was so emotional for me," he told the United website.

"I remember Troy Deeney was telling me you have to calm down, because I was eager to score against Man United. Even some of the balls that I had close to the area I was supposed to pass it, but I wanted to shoot, I wanted to score myself, so Troy was not happy. You have to pass the ball. There was that passion, because I wanted to create history that I scored against my boyhood club, the club I was supporting when I was young. That is the passion I had when I played against United and now I will be playing for United, so I just hope I just gel well and don’t let emotions take the better part of what I am going to do.

“We played against them [Liverpool] at Vicarage Road, I scored two goals and we won that game 3-0. It was fantastic because nobody could imagine that Watford was going to beat Liverpool because they are a big side. It was one of the best moments of my life and my career.”

A twist of fate could pit Ighalo against Watford on his United debut, when the Hornets visit Old Trafford on February 23.

He will make history as the first Nigerian to represent the Red Devils and he hopes he can fit into the side well, regardless of how he is deployed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The striker also explained the reason he will be wearing the number 25 shirt this season.

“I’ve played in different positions as a striker," he said, "I played with Troy Deeney, we understood each other, because we played together when we were in the Championship, from there to the Premier League. In China I am playing like a lone striker. Even in the national team I play like a lone striker, so it depends what formation the coach is going to play then I am okay with anyone.

"When I was at Watford, I put on 24. No.24 is not available. In Shanghai no.9, it’s not available, so I said 24 + 1 is 25, so I said okay, let me go for 25."